<p>Recently, I've been thinking about taking a year off from school to work. The reason being that I can't afford to go to college without taking out massive amounts of loans. I would also like to apply to some other schools that I didn't the first time around (as well as some cheaper ones). Thoughts?</p>
<p>I think it is very smart and forward thinking of you. Too many kids start out at the expensive school and transfer out, to end up graduating from the lower priced school. If you are thinking of applying to schools that might give you merit aid, you should probably sit out a year, because few schools offer merit scholarships to transfer students. If you just want to lower the cost, then think of starting at your local CC. In this economy there will be more and more students like you who choose CC for financial reasons.</p>
<p>I would rather not go to community college. My sister did it and has been living at home for the last few years, and while I did enjoy having her around, I really don’t want to travel down that path.</p>
<p>In high school, I really had no knowledge of the college admissions process. I went to a very small Christian school (20-25 in my graduating class), and really had no guidance counselor. Basically all I was told was that I should take the ACT in the spring of my junior year. As a result of my lack of knowledge, I only applied to a few schools, and no reaches. I would be applying to a lot more schools with good need based aid (Ivies and other top colleges) as well as ones with great merit aid.</p>
<p>Do you think that the top schools would look favorably on my decision?</p>
<p>I think many top schools look favorable on gap years in general, but it really depends on how your spend your gap year and what you get out of it (if you do take a year off, many sure what you do during that time is meaningful and then write a really awesome essay about it). Harvard, for example, will allow anyone they accept to defer their admission for one year to allow them to take a gap year (as long as they are being productive) because they have found that it has many positive effects for the students once they do start college.</p>
<p>Well, I guess meaningful is subjective, but my only realistic option is working. Maybe take a few classes at the local community college or volunteer somewhere nearby. I certainly can’t afford to do anything extravagant like volunteering abroad.</p>
<p>Ya, by meaningful, I meant anything that was productive. I think getting a job can be incredibly meaningful; it teaches you many life skills and also shows your determination to go out and earn money on your own to pay for college.</p>
<p>Thanks collegehappy. I’m glad someone doesn’t think this is a completely awful idea.</p>
<p>One more thing I thought of.</p>
<p>In high school, I had 0 community service. If I were to do some during my year off, would it just look like an attempt to impress colleges, or would it actually be beneficial to my application?</p>