A Sensible Transition: From Gap Year in Israel to Full Time at Touro College L.A.

Spending a gap year in Israel can be a wonderful experience for any young person. Many of Los Angeles high school graduates choose to attend seminary or yeshiva in Israel for the year after high school. But many of them come back to Los Angeles confused about what to do afterwards. Some find jobs, while others focus on continuing their schooling. However, by attending Touro College Los Angeles, one can do both. The schedule at TCLA enables most students to be full time students while also holding part-time or even full-time jobs. Classes are offered on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons/evenings for women and Monday and Wednesday nights for men. Mornings and alternate days are free for most students, allowing them to work during those hours.

TCLA offers students the opportunity to complete a full 4-year degree program in less than four years. Students frequently graduate with a Bachelors degree in Psychology or Business after two and a half to three years (after attending a year in seminary or yeshiva). TCLA also offers pre-requisite science classes for those interested in pursuing health science fields. Students who have completed their year in seminary or yeshiva generally transfer in with approximately 30 transfer credits while also fulfilling the Judaic Studies requirement for graduation. In addition, students who begin Touro College Los Angeles immediately after their year in Israel and spend their entire academic career at TCLA are able to take every course needed for graduation within a two and a half year period. This is especially important when one compares the time the same result would take at state or community colleges, all highly impacted by reduced funding from the state of California.

The Touro College and University System has many graduate schools where students can continue their schooling and become experts in their fields. Graduate schools include: New York Medical College, Touro Schools of Osteopathic Medicine, Touro School of Law, Touro University Worldwide and other schools of Business, Social Work, Physician’s Assistant, Pharmacy, Psychology, Nursing, and more. Students who graduate from Touro College Los Angeles receive preferential opportunities at Touro graduate schools. TCLA has an excellent placement record for its graduates. Graduates have enrolled at; Columbia, UCLA, USC, Touro University, Pepperdine and others.