By Katherine Stievater
I am delighted that the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), of which I am a Professional member, published my article on recent Gap Year trends in their Winter 2024 Insights magazine. Even better, IECA decided to make “Seven Gap Year Trends to Know for 2024” available for anyone to read!
Here are the seven trends I call out for 2024 (click here for the online version of the full article – including a bonus trend!)
- Increasing Student Awareness of the Gap Year Option
- Gap Year Numbers Have Returned to Pre-COVID Levels
- College Readiness Emerging as Key Purpose of Gap Time
- Students Are Focusing on Personal Well-Being
- Growing Demand for Internships
- Students Are Looking for More Independent Experiences (but Still Need Structure and Guidance!)
- More Students Are Waiting until Their Gap Year to Apply to College
A PDF version of the full Winter 2024 IECA Insights magazine can be accessed here (Gap Year Trends article starts on page 13).
Thanks to my fellow IECA members, my students, colleagues, school counselors and many others for helping me see these trends and look out ahead in the Gap Year industry. I wake up every day inspired to help young people discover interests, develop life skills, and be ready for college and growing into their adult self!
