Aspire by API is the high school and gap year division of Academic Programs International (API), an educational organization that has been sending university students abroad to study since 1997. Aspire by API is dedicated to providing comprehensive summer study abroad programs for high school students as well as gap year abroad programs for recent high school graduates, with locations in Costa Rica, England, France, Ireland, Italy, and Spain.  Our language and cultural immersion programs provide students with educational opportunities to learn and develop relevant global skills in an exciting, enriching, safe, and secure setting. Counselors can direct their questions to Aspire by API’s director, Courtney Link, at courtney@aspirebyapi.com.

Coastal Studies for Girls: A Science and Leadership School dedicated to those with a love for learning and discovery, an adventurous spirit, and a desire for challenge offers both Semester School and Summer programming.  Our Semester School continues to offer an extraordinary 16 week semester for 10th grade girls to live and learn in Maine.  Summer programs extend the CSG experience to middle school girls, women and educators.  Follow our adventures on Facebook, our blog or by subscribing to our e-news. You can find us at  www.coastalstudiesforgirls.org, and questions may be directed to Whitney Rollins Conway, Associate Director of Admissions, at 207-650-3136 (cell) or whitney@coastalstudiesforgirls.org.

CollegeCountdown.com makes getting to college easier and brings together America’s top experts to help students with each step of the process.  A free, customized timeline guides students and parents through the complete going-to-college process by mapping out what needs to be done and when they need to do it (complete with reminders).  At every turn, the most trusted experts in the field offer proven advice and strategies for navigating the road to college. Additionally, students, parents, and counselors will find affordable tools that help them make the best plans possible, from choosing a college using Fiske Interactive Online (based on the #1 bestselling college guide), to managing college affordability with the Financial Fit Program, to the College Countdown Bookstore—a collection of the most important books on the subject from the leading voices on college selection, ACT/SAT test prep, the application process, transitioning into college, and more.

College Living Experience (CLE) is a post-secondary support program for college-aged students with learning differences who require extra assistance with academic, social, and independent living skills while transitioning to independent adulthood.  CLE assists students in every step of their post-secondary education, both in an academic setting and in the surrounding community.  Once enrolled, students live in apartments near local CLE centers, while taking classes at community colleges, vocational schools or universities in the same vicinity.  Students travel from all over the country to attend CLE programs in:  Austin, Texas; Costa Mesa, CA; Denver, Colorado; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Monterey, California; and Washington, D.C.  Questions can be directed to Ann-Marie Stripling, Regional Director of Transition Services, at 703-850-0019 or astripling@experiencecle.com.  Participants can also visit our website at www.experiencecle.com.

Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process. We support the goal of each student finding a college that develops a lifelong love of learning and provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life beyond college.

Discovery Internships is a summer internship program for high school students with locations in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and London. Our programs offer students a unique opportunity to explore a career interest through a personalized internship placement in one of over 30 different industries. Students also receive individualized career coaching and other educational services designed to support and enhance the internship experience, broaden understanding of the professional world, and help students make more informed decisions about the future. Every summer, students from all over the world participate in Discovery Internships, living together in a college residence hall with our staff of educators who average over 15 years of experience in the profession. Questions can be directed to Todd Aronson, Director of Educator Relations, at todd@discoveryinternships.com or 212.367.4673.

Dynamy Internship Year is the oldest and only residential internship program in the country. Our mission is to offer young people, ages 17-22, a transformational gap year (or semester) opportunity. Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, Dynamy Internship Year integrates full-time mentored internships in over 240 organizations with urban and backcountry leadership experiences, personal and college/career advising, city apartment living, and the com­pany of a remarkable group of peers. For more information, contact Kathy Cheng, Director of Admission, at chengk@youinc.org or 508-755-2571 x18.

The Forty Acres Scholars Program is the first four-year, full ride merit-based scholarship program offered by The University of Texas at Austin. Administered by the Texas Exes, the program connects our university’s brightest students with opportunities matching their outstanding résumés. In addition to funding for tuition, books, and living expenses, Forty Acres Scholars receive financial support for service learning, study abroad, and summer internships. Applications to the Forty Acres Scholars Program open in early August. The deadline for prospective UT freshmen to submit applications is December 1 of their senior year in high school. Contact:  Blakeney Kurad (kurad@alumni.utexas.edu)

Global Citizen Year is a premier global bridge year program designed to unleash the potential of the next generation of young Americans as leaders and effective agents of global change. Each year, we recruit and train a diverse corps of high-potential graduating high school seniors and support them through a bridge year of service learning and leadership training in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Through a world-class training and individual apprenticeships, our Fellows develop the skills and perspectives they need to succeed in college, careers, and a global economy.Please contact Conor Farese (conor@globalcitizenyear.org) with any questions.

Global Works: For over twenty-two years Global Works has been an industry leader in community service-based adventure travel programs for high school students. Our wealth of experience and community partnerships around the world have helped us create meaningful, educational, fun, and engaging summer service adventures for high school and college students! For many high schools students, it can be a defining experience as they prepare to transition to college. Our job is to intentionally and safely guide high school students through this cultural, often transformative, experience. For more information please contact Fritz Moriarty at Global Works at (303) 545 2202 or email him at fritz@globalworkstravel.com.

The High Mountain Institute (HMI) Semester or Summer Term is a unique opportunity for juniors and some seniors in high school to spend a semester or summer living, traveling, and studying in the mountains of central Colorado and the canyons of southeastern Utah. Our school combines some of the best qualities of an academic program at a rigorous boarding school with the adventure of backpacking expeditions. For more information please visit our website at www.hminet.org or call us at (719) 486-8200

The Keystone Center: A program of The Keystone Center, Youth Policy Summit trains tomorrow’s leaders to examine and value diverse perspectives, make sustainable decisions and find lasting solutions to our nation’s toughest environmental, energy and public health issues. YPS brings students together with expert stakeholders to better understand the roles of industry, government and advocacy groups in American society. Students master the 21st century skills of mediation, negotiation and leadership that enable them to take action and make a difference. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Roush at 970.513.5824 or eroush@keystone.org.

Landmark College: For more than 26 years, Landmark has been the leader in creating successful learning strategies for students with learning disabilities, ADHD or ASD.  Today, we are known for our innovative educational model, where students become confident, self-empowered and independent learners white pursuing their Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.  Our highly personalized approach integrates cutting-edge learning strategies, skills and assistive technology into every aspect of a student's experience. For more information visit our website at landmark.edu or contact the Admissions Office directly at (802)387-6715.

Naviance, a Hobsons company, is the leading provider of measurable student success solutions for K-12 schools. Serving more than 300,000 educators and 4.5 million students across nearly 5,500 schools in 84 countries, Naviance provides student-centric tools for course, career, college and success planning. Established in 2002, Naviance’s mission is to help every student graduate from high school prepared for success in post-secondary education and the twenty-first century workplace.

Robertson Scholars become influential leaders on campus, and in their fields of endeavor locally and globally throughout their lives. The program is highlighted by a unique curriculum that engages both Duke University and UNC- Chapel Hill. Approximately 30 scholars are chosen annually for this four year scholarship. Selection is based on proven intellectual curiosity beyond a traditional course load, personal character, and evidence of meaningful impact as a leader. The Robertson Scholars Leadership program provides a supportive scholar community, leadership-specific offerings during the school year, high value mentoring, and self-directed global summer internships. Graduates have gained admission into Stanford Medical School, Harvard Business School, and the University of Chicago Medical School.  Career placements have included McKinsey, IBM, Teach for America, Bloomberg, Nike, and Facebook. For more information, visit www.robertsonscholars.org.

The School for Ethics and Global Leadership: Located in Washington, DC, The School for Ethics and Global Leadership (SEGL) is a semester program for high school juniors who are interested in learning more about global affairs, international relations, and ethical frameworks of leadership in our nation's capital.  Through our case-study model, we provide students access to politicians, diplomats, foreign dignitaries, social entrepreneurs, journalists, and other leaders found only in DC.  Please contact Robbie Ross, Director of Admissions, at robert.jay.ross@schoolforethics.org with any questions or visit our website at www.schoolforethics.org.

Thinking Beyond: Imagine your students starting college filled with questions about how they can meaningfully impact it. Classes are about understanding issues that affect people around the world that students know personally. These students see college as four years when their primary responsibility is to learn about subjects they are deeply passionate about, empowering themselves to solve critical global issues. If your students aren't ready to start college with that level of focus and excitement, consider a gap year with Thinking Beyond Borders. Call any time with questions about our programs, scholarships, alumni references, and applying. (203) 993-0236 or info@thinkingbeyondborders.org