Vanguard Gap Year FAQs
What is Vanguard?
The Only Christian, Liberal Arts Gap Year Program
Vanguard is a Christian Liberal Arts Gap Year of Wheaton College located in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. As a Christian Gap Year program, Vanguard serves as a bridge between high school and adulthood, providing students the opportunity to grow in faith, community, and vocation. Vanguard weaves together community service, travel, work, and earning college credits in an unparalleled experience that will develop students into ready and resilient disciples of Jesus.
Who Are Vanguards?
Adventurous Thinkers. Faithful Believers. Ambitious Dreamers.
Vanguards are young adults, typically between the ages of 17-20, eager to engage in spiritual formation and community. They come from diverse backgrounds and academic inclinations, from the desire to step back after having a highly packed schedule in high school to the need for a year of preparation before college or simply because they feel the traditional college experience may not be the best fit for them. Compelled by questions like “What do I really believe?” and “Who do I want to be?” Vanguards seek their calling while carving their own path with the tools our program provides.
Where do Vanguards Go After The Program?
40%
 Graduate from various higher education institutions—private, public, Christian, secular.Â
30%
Graduate from Wheaton College in four years.Â
10%
 Enter the workforce, ministry, or attend community college.
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We realize that a gap year is often an unanticipated "extra" in the higher education decision. That's why we work to offer several solutions to help decrease the cost and make your gap year experience more affordable.
Any student can get the cost of Vanguard down to $11,000 through fundraising, a matching scholarship, and working at HoneyRock during the summer immediately following their gap year.
The total cost without utilizing opportunities to decrease is $18,300. The cost of the program covers room and board, 8 transferable college credits, and all program trips and activities.
Whether you've recently graduated from high school or are a year or two into college, we welcome your application! Generally, Vanguards are 17-20 years old. Most are recent high school graduates, but every year, we have one or two students who spent a semester or two at college. We want to note that you do not have to attend Wheaton College to participate in the Vanguard Gap Year program.
Taking a purposeful gap year does not negatively impact your chances of admission into college. Higher education institutions see a gap year as giving students time to mature, explore their interests, and build life experience. Instead of admitting a student who will be learning how to navigate life away from home for the first time while managing a full course load, an Admissions Counselor would see an adjusted, independent, and motivated applicant.
Vanguard is built to help students grow in confidence, maturity, and focus. We give Vanguards the tools to clearly articulate their experience in college applications and interviews, which improves their admissions chances.
During their time at HoneyRock, Vanguard Gap Year students live in one of two dorm-style buildings, Loberg Lodge or the newly renovated Voyageur Center. Both buildings have rooms with 2-4 students and share a common bathroom and lounge.
- Provides an opportunity to self-assess and reflect on individual goals and direction
- Offers a chance to navigate life independently without the added stress and pressure of academics
- Explores areas of study beyond the limitations of high school curriculum
- Builds soft skills such as problem-solving, conflict resolution, teamwork, etc.
- Provides a nurturing environment to build up Christian faith
- Allows for thorough consideration of higher education options, including the choice of major, institution, and timeframe
- Helps you to grow into a more confident, mature, and focused individual
- Ensures that you learn to navigate life away from home before starting college
- Increases chances of you finding your purpose before making a significant investment in college
- Taking a gap year can increase degree completion rates.
According to the National Center for Education Studies, from 2011 to 2017, only 60% of students who began pursuing a bachelor's degree at a 4-year institution completed that degree (at the original institution) within 6 years. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shares a slightly smaller stat: 58% of students will complete a degree within 6 years.
What are you thinking?
You've seen a little about how our gap year program works. Which of these best describes where you are right now?
Questions are good! You'll find a few ways to get more information, below.
- Read the research - reviewing the studies that have been done can give you insight into how impactful gap years really are.
- Connect with Charlie Goeke, Vanguard Program Manager - email him to have a one on one conversation.
- Keep in the loop and sign up for Vanguard emails - you'll hear from our staff right away and we won't spam you with useless info.
That's awesome! We're excited to continue the conversation - use the link below to apply.
That's okay, too. While the benefits of a gap year are numerous, it's not the right fit for everyone. Have you heard of Wheaton College?
What would a gap year do for you?
Wondering what a gap year would do for you or if you should take one at all?