A Welcoming Community

A gap year changes you. It deepens your understanding of yourself and your place in the world. It sharpens your sense of what you want to do and who you want to be. And we know that your transition from a gap year experience must align with your college experience.

The values that led you to take a gap year in the first place- intellectual curiosity, the desire to grow, hunger for a lived experience, a chance to reflect and pause before entering another academic environment- needs to be reflected in your college of choice.

We believe we are that college.

Some of the benefits gap year students experience at Warren Wilson include:

  • Special gap year themed housing, where students returning from a gap year have the opportunity to live together with the shared understanding that comes from having a gap year experience;
  • A general education program anchored by our commitment to civic identity, including courses in Social Justice, Intercultural Perspectives, Environmental Responsibility and Service Learning;
  • Applied learning that enhance your coursework through our Work Program and our Community Engagement Commitment, providing you
  • A variety of study away experiences that allow you to deepen your inter-cultural and professional experience.

In Good Company

Over 10% of students who enroll each year at Warren Wilson College are returning from a gap year. Depending on your gap year experience, you may enter with advanced standing in our community engagement requirement.

A student on a study away trip to Japan standing under Torri gates
Hikers on mountain bald

Preparing for a Gap Year?

If you are planning on taking a gap year, we encourage you to apply to Warren Wilson College now. Upon acceptance, you will be given the option of deferring your enrollment to the year following your gap experience. Deferring your enrollment will secure your financial aid for the following year. It will also allow you to fully experience fully your gap year without having to worry about applying to Warren Wilson in the middle of it.

Throughout your gap year, we will stay in touch with you (or a designated family member on your behalf) to keep you on track for the beginning of the school year.

Students talking

Returning from a Gap Year?

If you are in the midst of or getting ready to return from a gap year, we welcome your application. Sharing your gap year experience in your application can help us get to know you and understand your interests and passions.

Gap Year Association

Are you seeking advice and information on planning a Gap Year? We’re proud to direct you to the Gap Year Association, a non-profit accreditation and standards-setting organization for Gap Years. Warren Wilson is proud to be the first Official Gap Year Association College.

Learn about the Gap Year Association