Beyond the Traditional: Exploring Spring Admission, Guaranteed Transfer, and First-Year Abroad

As colleges grapple with thousands of applications from strong applicants, admissions offices have begun to seek out nontraditional ways to admit as many qualified students as possible. Enter: Spring Admission, Guaranteed Transfer, and First-Year Abroad. These unique admissions decisions offer students the opportunity to spend their first semester or year away from campus, with a guaranteed spot in the class in either the spring of their first year or the fall of their sophomore year. Sometimes students are free to choose how they’d like to spend that time and can attend community college, volunteer, or work. In other instances, students are required to enroll full-time, either at a partner campus or a college of the student’s choosing. And finally, sometimes students have the unique opportunity to spend their initial months of college in another country. 

William and Mary, Elon University, and the University of Vermont are just a few partner colleges that provide eligible students with the opportunity to enroll as transfer students through partnerships with Verto Education. These programs offer many students the best of both worlds: a unique, international experience that also supports a timely graduation. Additionally, these programs allow Verto Partner Colleges to engage qualified applicants that they’re unable to offer fall admission by providing them with a guaranteed transfer pathway upon successful completion of their Verto experience. 

We sat down with Neal Crosson, National Admissions Manager at Verto Education, to better understand these opportunities and what makes them a good fit for some students. 

What’s the difference between a first-year abroad and a gap year? 

A gap year is a structured time when a student takes an intentional break from formal education. Gap years come in all shapes and sizes, such as volunteerism, adventure travel, and outdoor education. There is seemingly a gap year for any kind of interest or experience, no matter how niche. The trade-off, of course, is time that could be spent earning college credit. However, for the right kind of student, this trade-off has the potential to pay off in dividends. 

Verto Education is a first-year abroad experience that allows students to earn college credits that can transfer to their future university. In short, the main difference between a gap year and a first-year abroad is non-academic vs. academic focus. Both are structured, experiential, and incredibly transformative. 

To determine which experience is right for you, ask yourself a few questions:

• Are you seeking an academic experience? 
• Are you wanting to take a break from traditional schooling? 
• What would you be interested in doing if you didn’t attend college? (travel, volunteering, working, etc.)
• Does staying on a fixed timeline for college matter to you, or are you more flexible? 

If you’re unsure about which option is the best for you, Premium Prep offers programs for students interested in pursuing nontraditional pathways after high school graduation! We’d love to serve as a resource as you navigate these exciting next steps.

What are the benefits of spending your first year abroad?

Study abroad, generally, is a great opportunity to expose students to a wealth of different ideas, perspectives, and experiences. Study abroad participants develop greater confidence, maturity, and self-reliance. The results? Compared to their peers, study abroad participants tend to graduate at higher rates, find employment more quickly upon graduation, and earn higher salaries. 

A first-year abroad experience allows students to reap these benefits very early on in their college careers. About 72% of college students express a desire to study abroad. However, fewer than 10% of US college students actually study abroad. There are several reasons for this discrepancy: time, cost, demands of social life, requirements of different degree programs, courses offered abroad, etc. By starting college abroad, students can guarantee that they will study abroad (at least once!) during their time in college.

I heard about Verto through a University Partner. What does this mean?

If you have received a pathway invitation from a Verto Partner Institution then this is certainly cause for celebration! This means that you could have the opportunity to study abroad your first semester or first academic year while pursuing a guaranteed pathway to that university (pending successful completion of the program). Each university will set its own requirements that participants must meet during their time with Verto. Every Verto participant earns transferable college credit through their academic provider (The University of New Haven).  

How should I choose where to study? 

If working with Verto, they currently have 5 program locations: Seville, Florence, Prague, London, and Buenos Aires.

In terms of choosing your study abroad destination, think carefully about the experience you’re seeking. 

• Do you want to develop or refine foreign language skills? 
• Is there a location that has always drawn your attention? 
• Do you want to be in a bigger or smaller city? 
• What courses are offered in that location? 

Think of all the other quality of life factors of that location, such as program cost, cost of living in that country, and cultural differences. Make a list. Weigh the pros and cons of studying in each country. Choosing a study abroad location can seem daunting, but you can find that “right fit” through a combination of independent research and advising from your Premium Prep counselor or a Verto admissions counselor. Lastly, do not be afraid to challenge yourself. Embrace the unknown, the discomfort, and the strange newness. Your future self will be grateful that you did.

I’m worried about making friends or having a community. 

Verto participants get a double dose of intercultural experience. First, they are studying with peers from all over the United States. Second, they engage with the international host community of their chosen location. Enrolled students begin the community building process pre-departure via virtual community hangouts where students can see who is destined to the same locations, make friends, and even meet potential roommates. Verto facilitates different opportunities in the country for students to build community with their cohort, whether it’s a movie night, an excursion, or a language exchange (where students engage with locals and other international students to practice foreign language skills). Joining a community is one of the most commonly reported positive experiences that participants cite in their end-of-program surveys. 

As you navigate these unique admissions pathways, it’s important to consider all your options and resources. Verto Education and Premium Prep College Counseling are here to help you make informed decisions about your future. Whether you’re interested in a transformative first-year abroad experience through Verto, or need guidance on pathways after high school from Premium Prep, we’re dedicated to supporting you every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Verto Education for more information on their programs and partner colleges, or contact Premium Prep to explore personalized counseling options. Your journey to higher education can be as unique and enriching as you choose to make it!