Semester in the City (SITC) is a Boston-based program that immerses gap semester and college students in 15 weeks of professional, personal, and civic skill development. The heart of SITC is a hand-matched, well-supported internship at one of 200+ partner organizations across the social sector. Student Fellows also have the opportunity to live in program apartments, receive ~$3,850 in financial benefits, and take two weekly classes in social innovation and professional development topics.
Semester in the City (SITC) is on a mission to educate and inspire the next generation of changemakers. Building off an eight-year record of successfully serving over 600 college students and a pilot cohort of gap semester students, SITC is formally opening its doors to all qualified youth who are taking a gap semester or year before or during college!
WHO IS A GOOD FIT FOR SITC?
To participate in SITC, students must have graduated from high school and be between the ages of 18 and 24. Students may enroll as gap semester students (pre-college or not currently enrolled in college) or as college students on an off-campus semester. We currently work with 15 colleges and universities as an approved partner program, which guarantees a full semester of credit and financial aid for participating students. While credit is not guaranteed for students at other schools, we work with students, families, and colleges on a case-by-case basis to maximize the chances of full credit and aid transfer.
Beyond eligibility requirements, SITC is a great fit for a wide range of students! We find that students who are most successful at SITC often share the following characteristics:
- An interest in experiential (out of classroom) and apprenticeship-based learning
- Maturity to live semi-independently with college-aged peers and complete a 30-hour/week internship
- A growth mindset and resilience to learn from challenges
- The desire to be part of a diverse, dynamic community of peers and professionals who care about making an impact
SITC INTERNSHIPS
At SITC, each student Fellow is hand-matched with a 400-hour internship at one of over 200 host organizations across metro Boston. When making a match, we consider the needs of the organization alongside the student's preferred issue areas (e.g. environmental sustainability, arts & culture, youth development, etc.), desired skill development (e.g. written communication, data analysis, direct service), and how they describe their ideal workplace and supervisor/mentor in the application and interview. We then connect Fellow and mentor for a preliminary conversation before finalizing the match. All internship placements are vetted by our program staff, and all Fellows are matched not only with an internship placement, but also a dedicated site mentor and a capstone special project. Fellows are further supported by a program staff advisor, who leads weekly small group coaching sessions, and two staff social workers.
LIVING & LEARNING IN BOSTON
Throughout the semester, Fellows build their networks and form lasting friendships within a supportive cohort community. The majority of Fellows choose to live in-residence at our program apartments, which are conveniently located in Allston, a student-friendly neighborhood close to Boston University. All Fellows receive an unlimited MBTA (subway and bus) pass, which makes it easy to get around the city and commute between the apartments, internship sites, and our program headquarters downtown. Fellows come to headquarters for our program Launch Week (orientation) and graduation Showcase as well as their two weekly classes, a Wednesday evening seminar on social change and a Friday morning workshop on professional development topics.For Fellows on a gap semester or year who have not yet committed to attend a specific college, SITC offers small group coaching sessions with experienced staff college counselors upon request.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
While SITC internships are not paid, all Fellows receive ~$3,850 in financial benefits to support their semester. This amount includes a $595 stipend (distributed in three increments), $625 in food and wellness reimbursements, an unlimited MBTA pass, catered meals during Launch/Showcase weeks and Wednesday evening classes, and an AmeriCorps Segal Education Award, which is valued at ~$2,000 and can be used for up to seven years towards qualified higher education expenses. Scholarship funding is also available and may cover up to the full cost of tuition for students with financial need.
STUDENTS AFTER SITC
SITC is proud to graduate alumni who make meaningful impacts on their host organizations and measurable gains from the start to the end of the semester in 24 key competencies (e.g. project management, professional communication, and working in diverse teams). 100% of program alumni report expanding their networks, growing confidence, and increasing clarity about what they want to pursue in college and beyond.
Tuition & Housing Rates - Gap Semester
- 15-Week Tuition: $7,200
- Double Room: $3,800
- Single Room: $5,400
Scholarship funding is available up to the cost of full tuition for students with financial need. Please contact sitc@collegeforsocialinnovation.org with scholarship inquiries.
Fall 2025 Gap Student Application Deadline: July 31, 2025
Spring 2026 Gap Student Application Deadline: December 15, 2025
Fall 2025 Program Dates
- August 25: Student Move-In
- August 26-29: Launch Week
- September 2: First Day of Internships
- December 2: Last Day of Internships
- December 3-5: Program Showcase and Move-Out (12/5)
Spring 2026 Program Dates
- January 26: Student Move-In
- January 27-30: Launch Week
- February 2: First Day of Internships
- May 5: Last Day of Internships
- May 6 – 8: Program Showcase and Move-Out (5/8)
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