Why Vanguard?
The only Christian, Liberal Arts Gap Year Program.
What makes Vanguard unique? Why Vanguard?
Our liberal arts approach sets us apart from any other program. When looking at other gap years, you'll notice how they tend to build their year around a primary theme: community service, travel, work, or earning college credits. Don't get us wrong—these are all good things! That's why at Vanguard, we weave them together in an unparalleled experience that will launch Vanguards into college.
Vanguard students are some of the most curious young adults you'll find. They bring questions about faith, life, and their purpose to a place where questions become conversations and start to form a practiced Christian faith. Beyond curious, Vanguards are outdoorsy and faithful. They are ready for a healthy challenge and have a desire to grow. Whether they’re academically-apt or trade-minded, outdoor experts or entry-level hobbyists, questioning or firm in their faith, Vanguards are ambitious young adults. Our program helps them envision where they want to go and plan the route to get there.
At Wheaton College, we’ve created a Christ-centered, collaborative, and immersive environment for thinkers just like you to ask and explore big questions. Our program is structured in such a way as to help us better understand God’s truth, our purpose, and how we should live in light of the Great Commission.
Now you know what kind of people Vanguards are: They’re curious and introspective. They’re active learners, committed to self-discovery through immersion in diverse experiences. And above all—Vanguards carve their own path; our gap year opportunity simply gives Vanguards the tools for carving.
So let’s take a look at gap year options generally—and then Wheaton College’s option—so you and your family can make the best-informed decision.
We realize a gap year is often an unanticipated "extra" in the higher education decision. Finding affordable gap year programs is at the top of most people's list—if this is you, you're not alone!
Any student can get the cost of Vanguard down to $11,000 through fundraising, a matching scholarship, and working at HoneyRock during the summer immediately following their gap year. The cost of the program covers room and board, 8 transferrable college credits, and all program trips and activities.
If the opportunities to decrease the cost of Vanguard aren't taken advantage of, the cost of the program is $18,300.
Whether you've recently graduated from high school or are a year or two into college, we welcome your application! Generally, Vanguards are 17-20 years old. Most are recent high school graduates, but every year we have one or two students who spent a semester or two at college.
Taking a purposeful gap year does not negatively impact your chances of admission into college. Higher education institutions see a gap year as giving students time to mature, explore their interests, and build life experience. Instead of admitting a student who will be learning how to navigate life away from home for the first time while managing a full course load, an Admissions Counselor would see an adjusted, independent, and motivated applicant.
Vanguard is built to help students grow in confidence, maturity, and focus. We give Vanguards the tools to clearly articulate their experience in college applications and interviews, which improves their admissions chances.
Frequent Questions About Christian Gap Years
Benefits of a Christian Gap Year for Students:
The benefits of a gap year are always linked to why students decide to take a gap year, which we covered in the last question. To recap, students take a gap year for one or more of the following reasons: they need time and space to recharge before the academic pressure of college; to travel and explore new ways of thinking and living; to build up their Christian faith; to more fully consider their higher education options (major, institution, timeframe).
So, after recapping why high school students decide to take a gap year, here are some of the benefits:
- Taking time to self-assess and reflect on who you are and where you're headed
- Learning how to navigate life away from home before adding the stress and pressure of academics
- Exploring areas of study beyond what your high school offered
- Building soft skills like problem-solving, conflict resolution, teamwork, and
Benefits of a Christian Gap Year for Parents:
You'll see a more confident, mature, and focused individual who will walk into college with a purpose. They will have navigated life away from home and have found their footing before you make a significant investment in college.
According to the National Center for Education Studies, from 2011 to 2017, only 60% of students who began pursuing a bachelor's degree at a 4-year institution completed that degree (at the original institution) within 6 years. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shares a slightly smaller stat: 58% of students will complete a degree within 6 years.
Either way, 4 out of every 10 students who begin college will not complete their degree within 6 years.
That's where a gap year comes into play. Since students have taken time to figure out who they are and where they're going, they can approach college with more confidence, motivation, and purpose. Instead of transferring schools or switching majors three times before sophomore year, they have a good idea of what major will actually help prepare them for their future. Rather than struggling to balance their studies, social life, and sleep, they will have the self-awareness to set priorities, realize their limits, and allocate time accordingly.
From one of our Vanguards, Sarah Lambert:
During freshman year of college I just saw so many people spending 95% of their energy learning how to live away from home. Since I had already done that, I could focus on school.
When wisely chosen, a gap year will help your student build the self-awareness, skills, and mindset to approach college prepared (and excited!) to make a return on the investment.
What are you thinking?
You've seen a little about how our gap year program works. Which of these best describes where you are right now?
Questions are good! You'll find a few ways to get more information, below.
- Read the research - reviewing the studies that have been done can give you insight into how impactful gap years really are.
- Connect with Charlie Goeke, Vanguard Program Manager - email him to have a one on one conversation.
- Keep in the loop and sign up for Vanguard emails - you'll hear from our staff right away and we won't spam you with useless info.
That's awesome! We're excited to continue the conversation - use the link below to apply.
That's okay, too. While the benefits of a gap year are numerous, it's not the right fit for everyone. Have you heard of Wheaton College?
What would a gap year do for you?
Wondering what a gap year would do for you or if you should take one at all?