Uncommon Gap Year Counseling
Purpose-driven gap experiences that empower you to shape your future while creating a better world
The Uncommon Approach
How we’re changing what it means to do a gap year
We believe that gap experiences are for everyone—and they can happen at any stage of life. Whether you’re a high school graduate excited to explore, a college student seeking clarity and purpose, or someone mid-career looking for a meaningful shift, a gap experience with Uncommon Futures is designed for you.
We’re reimagining the traditional gap year by offering highly personalized, impact-driven, ethical opportunities that go beyond the typical language trip or volunteer gig. It’s about finding your path, deepening your connection to the world, and acquiring the skills that will shape your future.
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We work with 9-12th grade students, high school graduates, college students, and anyone either launching into, reimagining, or taking a pause in their career. Whether you're trying to understand your life’s direction, develop new skills, or make an impact, we’re here to help you transform that intention into action.
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Together, we’ll craft a gap summer, semester, or year that’s uniquely yours—one that’s designed to encourage your personal growth and make a meaningful impact. Through 1-on-1 meetings, we’ll help you reflect, plan, and embark on your gap year. This includes helping you find and apply to opportunities, draft a budget, make a custom itinerary, get travel insurance, defer from college, receive college credit, create packing lists, and feel supported throughout your entire journey.
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Your gap experience opens doors to life-changing experiences both locally and globally. We help you find and apply to programs, schools, internships, apprenticeships, retreats, volunteer opportunities, cultural exchanges, and more. You could end up on a program that roadtrips through the Southwest exploring immigration and water rights, in your own town shadowing a local carpenter or doula, getting your yoga teaching certificate in Costa Rica, or interning for a solar startup—the options are endless, but they’re also thoughtfully curated, ethical, and aligned with your values.
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In a world that’s constantly evolving, it’s more important than ever to choose a path that aligns with your values and passion. You’ll emerge from your gap experience not only with new skills and personal insights, but with a renewed sense of connection to the world and to yourself. The experiences you gain will help you navigate life with confidence, knowing that your choices are grounded in authenticity, empathy, and the desire to make a positive impact. This is about building a foundation for a life of intentional action, meaningful work, and contribution to the common good.
A Gap Year With Purpose
For anyone looking for more than just time off
In a world where the traditional path is often one-size-fits-all, we believe in helping people carve their own way. Any gap experience—whether for a summer, semester, or year—is a transformative opportunity designed to challenge, inspire, and equip you to make a lasting impact.
Whether you're exploring sustainable living, engaging in social entrepreneurship, or pursuing an unconventional career, we’ll guide you in creating an experience that aligns with your values, your future, and your desire to contribute to the world.
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There’s more out there than a classroom or office. We design gap experiences to immerse you in the real-world, where you’ll acquire hands-on skills, gain knowledge from local communities, and learn from teachers and mentors who will help you reimagine what school—or a job—can look like.
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Building a gap year with Uncommon Futures isn’t just about adventure—it’s about becoming a well-rounded individual. From leadership skills to self-awareness, mindfulness, resilience, and creativity, we want to help you develop as both a global citizen and a future leader in whatever field you pursue.
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We believe that gap experiences can happen right outside your front door—and across the globe. Whether finding a job or internship in your local community, or heading to another coast or country, we want you to make localized impacts while gaining a broader perspective of the world and yourself.
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From permaculture to renewable energy, grassroots organizing, community art, mindfulness practices, or cooperative living, the skills you gain will be aligned with our world’s changing needs. We’ll help you learn how to thrive on a planet that’s evolving and how to lead in fields that prioritize sustainability, wellness, and social good.
Our Packages
Gap Summer Package
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The Gap Summer is a transformative, short-term opportunity to explore your passions, make a meaningful impact, and gain hands-on experience. With our tailored guidance, you'll reflect on your goals, dive into purposeful projects, and leave the summer with a renewed sense of direction.
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Virtual 1-on-1 meetings with a 5-hour meeting cap.
Unlimited pre-departure email support for gap year adventurers and families
Post-meeting recaps & action items
Personalized Reflection & Planning: We’ll help you reflect on your values, passions, and goals, ensuring your summer experience is intentional and aligned with your future. You’ll get a clear plan for your gap summer before you depart, including suggested programs and opportunities.
Detailed Logistics & Application Support: We’ll assist you in researching, selecting, and applying to the right programs, internships, or volunteer opportunities, helping you manage all the necessary details like applications, travel arrangements, and insurance.
Customized Itinerary Creation: Based on your interests, we’ll help you create a customized itinerary ensuring every part of your summer serves your overall purpose.
Reflection & Integration: At the end of your summer, we’ll schedule a final reflection session to help you process your experience, evaluate your growth, and determine next steps—whether that’s continuing your gap journey or applying lessons learned to your future goals.
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For an additional cost, we’ll support you with:
Ongoing 1-on-1 support during your gap experience to check in and troubleshoot when needed
Comprehensive travel logistics, including booking flights and accommodations
Scholarship applications and/or other funding avenues
Resume and cover letter support
College counseling
Gap Semester Package
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Whether you’re ready to do something different as a high school student, have been accepted into a Winter or February term college start date, or want to take half a year to explore a new path, The Gap Semester is an opportunity to engage in hands-on opportunities that spark your growth, broaden your perspective, and equip you with the clarity and skills to take your next steps with intention—in ways that school or a traditional career path never could.
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Virtual 1-on-1 meetings with a 10-hour meeting cap.
Unlimited pre-departure email support for gap year adventurers and families
Post-meeting recaps & action items
Personalized Reflection & Planning: We’ll help you reflect on your values, passions, and goals, ensuring your semester experience is intentional and aligned with your future. You’ll get a clear plan for your gap semester before you depart, including suggested programs and opportunities.
Detailed Logistics & Application Support: We’ll assist you in researching, selecting, and applying to the right programs, internships, or volunteer opportunities, helping you manage all the necessary details like applications, travel arrangements, and insurance.
Customized Itinerary Creation: Based on your interests, we’ll help you create a customized itinerary ensuring every part of your semester serves your overall purpose.
Reflection & Integration: At the end of your semester, we’ll schedule a final reflection session to help you process your experience, evaluate your growth, and determine next steps—whether that’s continuing your gap journey or applying lessons learned to your future goals.
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For an additional cost, we’ll support you with:
Ongoing 1-on-1 support during your gap experience to check in and troubleshoot when needed
Comprehensive travel logistics, including booking flights and accommodations
Scholarship applications and/or other funding avenues
Resume and cover letter support
College counseling
Gap Year Package
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The Gap Year is a year-long invitation to rethink your future. Whether you’re ready to explore the world, launch a new career, or immerse yourself in self-discovery, the Gap Year is a chance to find purpose, gain new skills, and learn from the world around you. With thoughtful planning and unwavering support, we’ll help you design a year to deepen your sense of self and make a meaningful impact.
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Virtual 1-on-1 meetings with a 20-hour meeting cap.
Unlimited pre-departure email support for gap year adventurers and families
Post-meeting recaps & action items
Personalized Reflection & Planning: We’ll help you reflect on your values, passions, and goals, ensuring your gap year experience is intentional and aligned with your future. You’ll get a clear plan for your year before you depart, including suggested programs and opportunities.
Detailed Logistics & Application Support: We’ll assist you in researching, selecting, and applying to the right programs, internships, or volunteer opportunities, helping you manage all the necessary details like applications, travel arrangements, and insurance.
Customized Itinerary Creation: Based on your interests, we’ll help you create a customized itinerary ensuring every part of your year serves your overall purpose.
Reflection & Integration: At both the mid-point and end of your year we’ll schedule a reflection session to help you process your experience, evaluate your growth, and determine next steps—whether that’s continuing your gap journey or applying lessons learned to your future goals.
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For an additional cost, we’ll support you with:
Ongoing 1-on-1 support during your gap experience to check in and troubleshoot when needed
Comprehensive travel logistics, including booking flights and accommodations
Scholarship applications and/or other funding avenues
Resume and cover letter support
College counseling