Education. Expertise. Mentorship.

Every student, family and gap year is unique.

Not everyone has the same interests, needs the same support, or has the same budget. That's why we offer 3 progressive tiers of service: so you can choose what you need, when you need it. If you're unclear where to start, please contact us!

Explore the Gap

Our signature training = your foundational gap year toolkit.

Plan the Gap

1/2 year planning = ideal for a semester or summer.

Bridge the Gap

1 year planning = for gappers pursuing 2 or more experiences

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Explore the Gap ~ $600

Learn how to plan a fulfilling and intentional gap year! Sharing our 3 decades of experience, we guide you through the process and strategies that are fundamental to planning a successful gap year: setting goals, establishing a budget, assessing safety and researching gap year opportunities. An empowering and interactive training filled with tips and tools, our gap year planning master class will help you clarify your gap year vision and equip you with the skills to achieve it.

Jane and Jason on a Zoom call from their van

 All workshops and materials are available 24/7 on our website's student login. Want more support after Explore the Gap? Add-on Plan or Bridge the Gap whenever you are ready!

At-a-Glance

  • 4 gap year planning workshops

  • A 55-page J2Guidebook of interactive worksheets, tips, strategies and resources

  • 24/7 access to all recordings and materials to work at your own pace and timeframe

  • Cost: $600 per student

  • Add-on Plan the Gap (+$1,100) or Bridge the Gap (+$1,700) at anytime

Who is this good for?

  • Students who are planning a DIY gap year

  • Families who want to maximize their budget

  • Parents who want their gapper to have agency in their gap year planning

  • Families who are looking for a gap year toolkit of tips, strategies and resources

  • Anyone who is unsure about the gap year and would benefit from a foundational education

Enroll in Explore the Gap
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Plan the Gap ~ $1,700

Plan the Gap is perfect for those gappers who are looking for specific program referrals for a 1/2 year, semester or summer. It includes: our signature gap year training Explore the Gap (above), cohort workshops to facilitate key transitions, and 3 hours of one-on-one planning meetings with your gap year counselor of choice. In your one-on-one meetings, you and your J2Guide will identify vetted gap year opportunities that fit your specific criteria and timeline!

Jason with a young client

We designed Plan the Gap specifically for students who are planning a 1/2 year, single semester or summer. If you are looking for help planning a full gap year, Bridge the Gap is for you!

At-A-Glance

  • 4 gap year planning workshops + J2Guidebook (Explore the Gap, above)

  • 3 hours of one-on-one meetings to personalize program referrals

  • 3 workshops (pre-departure, mid-year and re-entry) to facilitate these transitions

  • Unlimited research & email between meetings

  • Cost: $1,700 per student (10+ hours of support)

  • Add-on Bridge the Gap (+$600) anytime

Who is this good for?

  • Anyone who is planning a partial gap year: single semester or summer.

  • Students who are having trouble articulating their gap year goals

  • Families who want help identifying reputable gap year programs

  • Students who would benefit from one-on-one coaching with Jane or Jason

  • Families who have a partial year planned but need help with the rest

Enroll in Plan the Gap
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Bridge the Gap ~ $2,300

Our most comprehensive service, Bridge the Gap is ideal for students who want support planning a robust and meaningful gap year with multiple experiences. It kicks off with our signature gap year training Explore the Gap (above). Then, equipped with their gap year parameters, gappers have 7 hours of one-on-one meetings with their J2Guide to develop a curated list of programs with an action plan. Cohort workshops throughout the year keep gappers on track with their plans and process!

Jane meeting with a student outside

Your one-on-one counselor sessions can be used at any time before and during your gap year so you can make the most of our guidance - including new ideas, program options and mentorship - when you really need it!

At-A-Glance

  • 4 gap year planning workshops + J2Guidebook (Explore the Gap, above)

  • 7 hours of one-on-one meetings to personalize program referrals and action plans

  • 3 workshops (pre-departure, mid-year and re-entry) to facilitate these transitions

  • Unlimited research & email between meetings

  • Cost: $2,300 per student (14+ hours of support)

Who is this good for?

  • Families who want to plan a full gap year

  • Students who want to pursue a variety of experiences on their gap year

  • Parents who want referrals, strategies and resources for a productive gap year

  • Students who value ongoing support and mentorship with Jane and Jason

  • Anyone who wants comprehensive gap year counseling at an affordable rate

Enroll in Bridge the Gap
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J2Guides is a professional gap year counseling organization that provides: fundamental gap year planning strategies, expertly curated program referrals, and personalized student mentoring.

Think of us as college counselors for your gap year.

We do:

draw out your unique interests and parameters, create a strategy and timeline for your plan, and identify possible matches (Plan & Bridge the Gap only).

We do not:

book travel, submit applications, make payments, give medical advice, offer visa support, do college advising, or help with job placements.

Want more information before enrolling?

Contact Us

Jane and Jason worked closely with my son to plan his gap year. Their approach was incredibly effective from both the parent and student perspective. J2Guides shepherded my son through this stressful and complicated process of figuring out his best course of action after he graduated from high school. Jane and Jason are patient, kind, realistic, thoughtful, thorough, and incredibly passionate about their work. We initially thought we might be able to navigate this ourselves just using the internet, and we were incredibly wrong. These two are professionals worth their weight in gold and they truly made this process so much more enjoyable for the whole family! We could not have asked for a better experience or outcome.

Tammy S.

Parent of 2020-2021 Gapper
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