SEBS Guided Gap Semester
The Guided Gap Semester program at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences welcomes new first-year students to connect with our community in the fall and begin classes in the spring semester. Students who are admitted and enroll in this program have a dedicated advisor at Rutgers to help them design an academic plan, connect with our campus for special events, and prepare to start strong as a Scarlet Knight in January.
As part of this very special cohort of students, students are invited to virtual and on campus social events during the fall semester to make friends and learn about Rutgers campus life. Special housing space on the Cook Campus is reserved for the cohort to move into a supportive and welcoming environment.
Before enrolling at Rutgers in January, students have a variety of options during the summer and fall months to enhance their academic planning. Students may spend their Guided Gap Semester in the fall exploring academic interests by taking classes at another college, developing new skills through special internship opportunities near home, traveling and studying in another country, or pursuing their own passions and interests.
Guided Gap Semester Options:
Embrace a Global Lifestyle
SEBS has partnered with the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) to offer our students the opportunity to study and live abroad, taking classes that will provide you with global perspectives, the opportunity to explore major interests, and make progress toward your Rutgers requirements. You may choose to live and study in Monteverde, Costa Rica through the CIEE program at Dean College. This study abroad option will provide a supportive structure in which to experience the world before you settle in New Brunswick.
Hit the Books
During their fall Guided Gap Semester students may choose to begin classes at their NJ Community College or another institution to explore major options or complete foundational courses. You will work with your dedicated SEBS advisor to choose classes and begin your academic exploration. Your advisor’s approval will ensure that your classes will transfer to your Rutgers degree.
Get Your Hands Dirty
SEBS is the home to the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, which connects our school through a diverse range of research, extension, and education programs to serve the people of New Jersey in all our counties. Students may choose an internship working with county extension specialists or at Rutgers farms, gardens, and other facilities across the state.
These hands-on opportunities connect you directly to projects that will shape your major planning and may include work in commercial agriculture, environment and natural resources, fisheries and aquaculture, food, nutrition, and health, home, lawn and garden, and youth and community development.
Pursue Your Own Passion Project
You know yourself best, so in addition to the options above, participating in the Guided Gap Semester program provides the option to pursue your own individual plans. You may want to use the summer and fall months to dive into new subjects, discover passions you may not have considered, and develop a clearer sense of your academic and career goals. You may choose to work at a current job or internship or apply for a new position that will help you reflect, try new things, and broaden your horizons. Your SEBS advisor can help you identify and develop some unique opportunities in your home community.
What Are the Benefits of Participating in the Guided Gap Semester?
- Spend the fall months pursuing an individual plan to enhance your academic journey.
- Guaranteed enrollment at Rutgers-SEBS for the Spring semester.
- Connection to a dedicated advisor as well as opportunities to meet SEBS faculty in your areas of major interest.
- Make new friends as you plan your transition to Rutgers.
- Have a guaranteed on-campus residence hall space to live and study with your cohort friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
The Guided Gap Semester program welcomes new first-year students to our community to begin classes in the spring semester. Students who are admitted and enroll in this program have a dedicated advisor at Rutgers to help them design an academic plan, connect with our campus for special events, and prepare to start strong as a Scarlet Knight in January.
As part of this very special cohort, students are invited to virtual and on campus social events during the fall semester to make friends and learn about Rutgers campus life. Special housing space on the Cook Campus is reserved for the cohort to move into a supportive and welcoming environment.
-
Before enrolling at Rutgers in January, students have a variety of options during the summer and fall months to enhance their academic planning. Students may spend their time exploring academic interests by taking classes at another college, developing new skills through special internship opportunities near home, traveling and studying in another country, or pursuing their own passions and interests.
Detailed information about each option can be found in the Guided Gap Semester canvas site. Go to canvas.rutgers.edu and accept the “SEBS Guided Gap Semester” course. Students will meet with their dedicated academic advisor in the summer and fall to solidify their plans.
-
Students will attend the SEBS induction ceremony at the end of the summer with all other new students, a registration session in the fall, and a New Student Orientation session in January prior to the start of spring courses. Students are also encouraged to join Rutgers Spring Welcome Week activities.
-
Students will meet with their academic advisor in November to register for spring classes.
-
Students who participate in the Guided Gap Semester program in the fall and choose to live on campus for the spring are guaranteed housing on the Rutgers Cook/ Douglass campus in the spring. Students participating in the program will live together as a cohort in a living learning community.
-
Students who participate in the fall Guided Gap Semester will have a special one credit Academic Mentoring course in the spring to assist in their transition to Rutgers. Otherwise, students will follow the same major curriculum and coursework as other SEBS first year students.
For More Information
