York U helps students take time off to regroup
October 9, 2008
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Paul Irish
STAFF REPORTER
Reserving a spot at university is an option that Ashley Lewis, 19, wishes she could have had.
The Aurora resident decided to take a year off between high school and university after graduating in 2007.
She volunteered for Katimavik – a federally sponsored program in which young Canadians live and work together on community projects across the country – and says it was an "incredibly rewarding" experience.
Although she enjoyed her work with a Salvation Army soup kitchen in Saskatchewan, an environmental coalition in British Columbia and an elementary school in Quebec, the uncertainty about her future was always on her mind.
Which is why she says all schools should adopt York University's innovative new Bridging The Gap program, which not only reserves a student's spot for up to a year, but also keeps in touch while they are away and eases their transition when they get back.
"A lot of people are taking time off between high school and university these days," says Lewis, who is now taking a media program at Ryerson University.
"I wasn't set on what I was going to do. I always had visual arts in the back of my mind ... but then I started to think about film. I just needed a bit more time."
The concept behind the Bridging The Gap program is simple: Apply to York and, if admitted, the university will reserve your spot for up to a year, along with any entrance scholarships and a room in residence.
Schools have been aware for some time that not every student is ready to jump right from high school into college or university. York spokesperson Barbara Brown says now, more than ever, students carefully plan their futures, and this may mean taking time off to think, improve their grades, travel or, in many cases, make money.
"The university wants to support all of these students," says Brown. "If they need to take a year off, we want to make it a worry-free one that allows them to concentrate on whatever task is at hand, be it working, travelling or volunteering."
Madeline Neff, 18, from Elora, has taken advantage of the new program. She will spend this year volunteering with Canada World Youth in Ontario and Peru, then begin York's graphic design program next September.
"It's fabulous," she says. "I won't be distracted thinking about my schooling. I can concentrate totally on Canada World Youth."
Although other schools will defer admissions on a case-by-case basis, York is the first to formalize the process and assist students along the way. Neff says that makes her feel like part of the university already.
Brown says the program creates a "sense of community" that the students can identify with, starting with a pre-gap summer session for participants.
During their year off, they will be encouraged to join York's student blog and post travelogues and photos, as well as participate in e-chats.
There will then be a special "welcome home" reception at the start of classes, so participants can swap stories, share experiences and perhaps even start a campus club.
The program will also help connect gap students with international volunteer programs, and is planning a scholarship contest for them.
Toronto Star