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The Lure of the Gap Year

Time Out or Burn Out for the Next Generation from Harvard Admission Office

Taking Off
A service for students who are taking time off from
the traditional classroom to pursue experiential learning.

Taking Off
A process designed to help students clarify interests, define goals, identify options and implement a meaningful and well thought out plan.

Taking Off
Taking responsibility for your future

Taking the time to figure out where you are going

Taking the time to figure out why

The difference between stopping out and dropping out is the ability to create a meaningful and well thought out plan.

The purpose of this questionnaire is to help you focus as you explore the idea of taking off. Most people have never seriously asked themselves what they would do if they had time off so the answers may not be as easy as you think. Part of our service if you choose to move forward with Taking Off is to help you define the parameters below that will determine where, when, and how you spend your time.
      Use the multiple - choice and short (very short!) essay questions as your guide. Think about experiences that you have enjoyed in the past, as well as things you would like to do in the future. Please add anything you feel is pertinent on the back of this form or another piece of paper. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers; this is not a test. 

(Please print this document, print or type your answers clearly and mail to the address below.)

* Click here for a printer friendly (.pdf version) of this document.
Name Home phone

Home Address

 Current phone
  Fax

Current Address

 E-mail
 
Current School and grade Age -- Date of Birth
 

Parent's Names

 

Parent's address/phone if different from above

 
Mother's Occupation Work Number
Father's Occupation Work Number
Siblings names/ages
How did you hear about Taking Off?
Do you have a sense of your budget for whatever time you will be taking off?

Where do you want to go?
If you have specific locations in mind, please write them down.
Alaska Asia Europe South America Worldwide
Hawaii Thailand England Latin American Ocean
The Pacific India Ireland Central American Antarctica
Bali/Fiji Vietnam Scotland Peru Caribbean
Philippines China Wales Amazon Mediterranean
USA Nepal France Brazil Canada
Northeast Africa Spain Mexico French speaking
Southeast Australia Italy Belize Spanish speaking
Midwest New Zealand Greece Costa Rica Israel
Northwest Mideast Germany Ecuador Cuba
Southwest Eastern Europe  
What type of lifestyle would you prefer?
Use categories below to describe the lifestyle that best suits your needs. Add other categories or descriptive words that are important to you.
academic rural wilderness ocean need a hot shower
nonacademic urban office part of a group roughing it
live in one place outdoors physical labor college credit home stay
travel indoors on your own people your age dormitory
learn a language adventure with Americans   cultural immersion
Please rate the following factors in terms of their importance to you. (1 = most important; 10 = least important)
Where you go _____ What you do ____ Whether you are with people your age____
 
What do you want to do?
Circling an interest does not have to indicate ability.
Animals Anthropology Archaeology Architecture Art History Big Game
Boat Building Botany Buddhism Business Ceramics Chemistry
Children Computers Construction Cooking Creative Writing Dance
Dolphins Drawing Engineering Environment Farming Film
Finance Fresco Painting Gardening Government Guitar making Health Care
Hiking Historical Restoration History Horses Hotels Jewelry
Journalism Languages Law Marine Biology Martial Arts Media
Museums Music Painting Photography Politics Publishing
Rain forest Sailing Science Scuba Diving Sculpture Social Justice
Social Service Special Needs Spiritual Sports Teaching Theater
Tourism Vet. Medicine Whales Wildlife Women's Issues Yoga
Add any interests not listed above:
Are you just starting to explore the possibilities and do you need help in doing so or do you have a clear sense of how and where you want to spend your time?       Need help/Clear sense
Why are you thinking about taking time off?
How do you hope to spend your time off? Please use as much space as you need to describe your vision. If you don't have one yet then we are here to help.
How many different experiences do you hope to have?
When do you want to leave and for how long?
Have you done much traveling?  Please explain.
Do you have a dual citizenship and if so, with what country?
What languages have you studied and for how long?
Are you interested in learning a language and if so which one?
Where did you go to high school?  
Are you currently in school? If so, where and in what grade or year at university?
What are your strengths?  
What gets in your way?
Do you have a budget?

If you have anything else that you think we need to know then please use the remaining space.

 

 

 

 


Thank you for taking the time to fill out the questionnaire. When we receive your questionnaire we will give you a call.

Please mail your questionnaire to

Gail Reardon Taking Off 12 Marlborough St. Boston, MA 02116 USA

1-617-344-0481 (fax)
| Who are we? | Who Takes Off and Why? | How does Taking Off work? | Real Stories | Sample Options |
| Frequently Expressed Concerns | Fees and Services | Questionnaire | Contact Us | E-mail | Top of Page |
12 Marlborough St. -- Boston, MA 02116 USA -- Tel: 1.617.424.1606 -- Fax: 1.617.344.0481
Gail Reardon, Director