Students admitted to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities as incoming freshmen may request to take a gap year or semester:
- Gap year shifts fall term of admission to the following fall term
- Gap semester shifts fall term of admission to the spring term
Students approved for a gap year or semester will be admitted to their original college of admission unless otherwise determined. The deadline to apply for a gap year or semester is July 1.
Students approved for a gap year or semester may not enroll at another academic institution, including another college, university, or in a program that grants credit through an accredited institution. Students approved for a gap year or semester that choose to enroll at another academic institution during their gap period will lose their freshman admission status and must re-apply for admission as a transfer student to the University of Minnesota. Transfer applicants must meet transfer admission requirements to their college of interest.
If a gap year or semester request is approved, students do not need to apply for admission to enroll the following year. By November 1, students with an approved gap year or semester must submit a final high school transcript with graduation date. Applicants with an approved gap year or semester should review the University's policy on final high school transcripts and senior year grades.
Please note, School of Nursing only allows fall enrollment, and therefore Nursing admits are unable to take a gap semester.
Reasons for requesting a gap year or semester
The Office of Admissions reviews gap year or semester requests on an individual basis for admitted freshmen. Approval of a gap year or semester is intended to give students time to focus on personal growth, development of a skill, travel, work, military commitments, or time to recover from a medical condition while ensuring their enrollment for the next year, and maintaining freshman admission status.
Admitted freshmen may request a gap year or semester for various reasons, including but not limited to the following:
- Rotary exchange or other 13th year high school level study abroad or exchange program
- Cultural, religious, or personal growth opportunity
- Volunteer service or work opportunity
- Junior hockey
- National or international sports competitions
- Military service or National Guard commitment
- Employment and/or financial reasons
- Pregnancy, surgery, illness, or other medical health condition
- Other non-academic pursuits
University Honors Program Admission and Academic Scholarships
- Students admitted to the University Honors Program for their original term of admission will have their admission to the University Honors Program carried forward to the following fall term of enrollment pending a review of their final high school transcript.
- Academic scholarships will be deferred for students approved for a gap year or semester. The dollar amount will remain the same, but please note that the funding source may be different.
How do I request a gap year or semester?
Complete the Gap Year Request form at z.umn.edu/GapYearRequest by July 1.
What is the deadline for requesting a gap year or semester?
The deadline to apply for a gap year or semester is July 1.
How does a gap semester differ from a gap year?
This offering by the University of Minnesota follows all the same rules and requirements of gap year students, such as:
- The deadline to apply for a gap year or semester is July 1 prior to your original term of admission.
- Gap semester students will be admitted to their original college of admission.
- Gap semester students cannot enroll at another academic institution. Those who do will lose their freshman admission status and must re-apply for admission as a transfer student.
Do I need to submit a new application for my new term following my gap year or semester?
No, students with an approved gap year or semester are not required to reapply for admission. By November 1, students with an approved gap year or semester must submit a final high school transcript with graduation date.
What happens after my gap year or semester request is approved?
Applicants with an approved gap year or semester will receive a notice via Application Tracker confirming the approval. Applicants with an approved gap year or semester that have submitted final high school transcripts with graduation date will receive a new admit letter detailing their next steps to enrollment at the University of Minnesota.
Once admitted for the new fall term, students approved for a gap year or semester must confirm their enrollment no later than May 1 prior to their new fall term of enrollment.
Do I need to pay the enrollment confirmation fee again for my new term of enrollment?
No. If you have already paid the confirmation fee (or had the confirmation fee deferred to your first semester tuition and billing), you will not need to pay the fee again for your delayed enrollment term.