One of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges partners with Verto Education to provide a unique first-year experience that allows students to graduate in four years while pursuing life-changing academic and immersive travel experiences

Denison University today announced the launch of a “gap year without the gap” program that allows students to spend their first semester or year of college abroad while still earning credits and graduating on time. In collaboration with Verto Education, the program enables students to see the world and earn college credits before beginning their studies on campus at Denison.

“At Denison we help develop graduates who understand the complexity of global issues,” said Greg Sneed, Vice President for Enrollment Management. “This program provides students with an eye-opening and life-changing experience prior to enrolling at Denison.”

Unlike a traditional gap year, students who participate in the Verto program will earn college credits that transfer seamlessly to Denison after one or two semesters. The program’s coursework aligns with Denison’s global approach to the liberal arts. It is structured around small class sizes and designed to foster cultural immersion. The most popular courses include International Business in London, European History in Madrid, Global Health in Latin America, and Environmental Science in the South Pacific.

“Students who start college with Verto experience accelerated growth, both academically, and personally. They arrive at our partner colleges more mature, and ready to handle college and life,” said Mitch Gordon, the president and co-founder of Verto Education. “We couldn’t be more excited for our students to arrive at Denison ready to excel inside and outside the classroom, and positively contribute to campus culture.”

Students who are interested in spending their first semester or first year abroad should apply directly to Verto Education and select Denison University as the partner college for admission.

About Denison University

Denison is one of the nation’s top ranked liberal arts colleges. Built on a foundation of academic breadth, depth, and rigor and lasting relationships, Denison unlocks the potential of our students to be architects of successful lives and careers. At Denison, students define what kind of lives they want to lead and develop the skills, values, habits, networks, and experiences necessary to build those lives. Denison is a fully residential college defined by its increasingly diverse campus community of engaged students, world-class faculty, and dedicated staff. With 2,300 students, Denison is ranked 44 among the nation’s top liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and World Report and 12th most innovative for curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology and facilities. Denison ranks 6th in the nation for student/faculty connection by Times Higher Ed/Wall Street Journal and is one of 40 institutions in the quintessential guidebook, Colleges That Change Lives. In its list of “America’s Top Colleges,” Forbes Magazine has placed Denison among the very best, lauding the university’s quality of teaching and learning.

About Verto Education

Verto Education allows students to take a “gap year without the gap” by earning their first semester of college credit while exploring the world in places like New Zealand, Spain, and Costa Rica. When they return recharged and ready, students can transfer their new knowledge, skills, and credits to more than 50 public and private universities. Verto helps students start college confident and prepared through life-changing experiences that don’t come at the expense of graduating in four years.