Impact of Gap Time for Missionary Service on Utah Women’s College Outcomes

Throughout the United States, recent high school graduates and college students delay or take breaks in their higher education for a variety of reasons. These reasons include employment (e.g., to save money for college), personal illness or caring for loved ones, military service, religious missionary service, or experiential learning outside the classroom. Taking a break from college also happens in Utah, as evidenced by the 30.9% of Utah freshmen students who do not reenroll for their second fall semester. 

One common and increasingly popular reason for delaying or taking time away from school is a gap year, which the Gap Year Association defines as “a semester or year of experiential learning, typically taken after high school and prior to career or post-secondary education, in order to deepen one’s practical, professional, and personal awareness.” Under that definition, gap time is purposeful and structured; it can include service and experience in new places and cultures. Religious missionary service would then fit the definition of structured gap time, something that many Utah students participate in because of membership in Utah’s dominant religion: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

With many students throughout the US and Utah experiencing interruptions in their post-secondary education, it is valuable to understand the consequences, both positive and negative. Structured and unstructured gap time look very different for students and tend toward different outcomes. On the one hand, structured gap time gives young adults opportunities to build skills and identify strengths and preferences. On the other hand, unstructured gap time is typically unplanned and linked to obstacles such as health or financial problems. Since past research has shown that unstructured gap time leads to generally negative outcomes, this brief focuses on the benefits and drawbacks of structured gap time. 

Study Background 

Our study used administrative student data from Brigham Young University (BYU), located in Provo, Utah. BYU is uniquely situated to provide insight into gap time in Utah. It is a private university sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a high proportion of enrolled students choose to serve missions.  

The data included demographic information and variables about academic timing, academic choices, and academic performance. Demographic information was used to compare BYU female students to other Utah and US female students. Then, using a larger analytic sample of BYU female students, we evaluated the impact of taking gap time for missionary service (or not) on choice of major, GPA, and graduation rates. Findings are discussed in the context of Utah and national research and trends. We conclude by providing action and policy recommendations. 

Benefits of Missionary Gap Time 

Gap time offers certain benefits and can change the course of a person’s life in positive ways. If this were not true, we would not see so many women choosing to participate in gap time experiences. 

  • Educational: First, we found that many women change their majors after taking gap time for missionary service, and these majors often have more men and higher earning potential. Second, we found that gap time for missionary service seems to be particularly useful for women who struggle academically. Missionary service is a way for these women to develop strengths that are not reflected in test scores or grades alone. Third, gap time for missionary service can help women be successful in school once the gap time concludes and women return to college. On average in our study, women who served missions earned GPAs that were 0.1 points higher than those who did not. 
  • Professional: Gap time for missionary service offers valuable professional benefits to women following college. Missionary gap time affects women’s professional opportunities through both tangible and intangible channels. A less tangible benefit of missionary gap time may also be that a woman can signal to future employers that she has the ability to work well with people unlike herself and take on new or undefined tasks. 
  • Personal: Women appear to benefit personally from gap time for missionary service as well. When asked about missionary service experiences, women consistently reported that these experiences were personally valuable. Other researchers suggest that missionary gap time enlarges a woman’s view of the world, leading to increased racial and cultural acceptance. Some students build language skills, which is particularly applicable in Utah with the number of women who serve religious missions in foreign languages. 

Drawbacks of Missionary Gap Time 

Women who take time away from higher education for structured gap experiences receive personal and professional growth and development, but the time away from school does not come without costs. The financial costs may be the most obvious. Individuals often pay to participate in missionary service and do not make money during the experience. Additionally, with time away from school, there is an increased risk that students will simply not return to college after completing a gap experience. However, our research on female students at BYU suggests this may be a minimal concern in Utah. Taking gap time for missionary service also decreased the chances of graduating from college at all. We found that women who took gap time for missions were 10.0% less likely to graduate in 8 years than their peers who did not serve missions, after adjusting for personal characteristics. 

Action and Policy Recommendations 

Although missionary gap time can result in both positive and negative outcomes for women, there are actions that female students, their families, and university personnel can take to minimize the drawbacks and capitalize on the gains of gap experiences. 

First, young adult women interested in gap experiences should consider and weigh the potential costs and benefits that may come educationally, professionally, and personally. Parents and family members can encourage and assist in thoughtful decision-making around gap time participation. 

Second, before women start gap time experiences, and certainly as they complete gap time, they can make firm commitments to return to school.  

Third, family and university advisors can augment personal commitments by encouraging students to return and supporting them in the process. Advisors can play an intentional role in mitigating any barriers students may face upon returning, such as reintegrating with university life, refreshing academic skills, learning about university policy changes, and registering for classes. Extracurricular student groups may also help returning students find similar peers and feel more belonging on campus. 

Fourth, another way to support students returning from gap time is by providing scholarships and grants.  

Fifth, students who take gap time may benefit from flexible academic options. 

Conclusion 

Structured gap time experiences for full-time missionary service are increasingly common for women attending Utah colleges and universities. This brief describes both costs and benefits of gap time experiences. We suggest that women carefully evaluate their motivations, circumstances, and goals as they navigate the tension between those costs and benefits and make decisions about whether to take gap time for missionary service or other reasons. A clear message of past research is that costs and benefits differ from person to person. While understanding common patterns is helpful, blanket statements miss important nuances of each person’s situation. Each woman will have unique insight into how gap time may be beneficial as well as personalized strategies that can minimize any downsides.  

Gap time experiences at a pivotal stage in life are exciting to consider for all college students. They have the potential to change a person’s life trajectory and boost their understanding of themselves and the world. Our study findings and recommendations will help individuals, families, and institutions of higher education understand the impact of gap experiences and offer appropriate support to Utah students as they face decisions about interrupting college and embarking on gap time experiences.

To learn more about the impact of gap time for missionary service on Utah women's college outcomes, read the full brief.

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