So, I’m applying for college for journalism (in Canada. the specific programs have class sizes of about 30 students, even in first year). There’s just one problem- in November, I’m taking a trip to Nepal to hike in the himalayas for 15 days and get to the everest base camp. It’s a trip my dad and I have been planning for a really long time, and we can’t go during the summer because it’s monsoon season then. Is it possible to miss just under 3 weeks of college and not fail? What should I do?
Can you start during second semester or afford to take a gap year? I am not saying taking three weeks off is "impossible " but it will certainly present challenges. Some professors may not be understanding regarding taking a long vacation during the semester. Some might question your priorities. These are the tough decisions of adulthood.
There is no way you can just leave school for that long, but this sounds like the trip of a lifetime. As such, I’d recommend starting a semester later, and embracing the trip during the autumn. Maybe take a part time job that you can leave in November, pick up some Christmas work when you return, and make college your priority once you get back.
Not sure how it is in Canada, but I’m not sure I’ve had a professor that would allow you to leave campus for that long without having you withdraw from the class. I would recommend taking a gap semester and working or WWOOFing for the rest of the time, because it sounds like a truly incredible trip.
Profs in the US and likely most Us can each set their own policies. I agree that many/all will have the right to fail you for missing that much school, even if you have a trip of a lifetime. Agree that a gap year or term sounds like a better option.
That’s 1/5 of a typical semester. No, you can’t miss that much.
Start a semester or year later. College is not a rush and this sounds way too cool to pass up.
If you can defer for a term and start in spring you could possibly take a community college course that runs on quarter if that is possible or take one or two on-line, self-paced classes at your college where missing that time might not impact you. You definitely need to talk to the college. This may not be possible if the program runs as a cohort where everyone has to take same classes in order. The college is the only one to tell you your options, but I also think ‘no’ to just missing 3 weeks. At some schools with attendance policies that could drop you from the class or limit your grade if there is a deduction for absences.
You’ll likely fail missing 3 weeks of school. That’s the reality. Take the semester/year off. Or don’t go. Certainly don’t start your first year in college with that huge a set back.
@DangerDays Unless you were representing your country in the Olympic Games, it’ll be very difficult or impossible to miss 3 weeks of class and still pass your classes.
A better option is to take a spring semester off if the trip is a high priority of yours.
I also don’t recommend an Everest trip in the spring (e.g. April/early May) as you’d likely be missing school for the same reason. Any later (e.g. summer) is usually not a great choice either due to the monsoons as you said.
Agree with all the above. You may never get a chance of take a trip like this again. College will still be there. Start college after the trip is over.
Most semesters are only about 14 weeks so missing 3 (or over 20%) weeks of class would be unacceptable. You need to either defer the either going to college or your trip.
College will be there. It’s not going anywhere. Take the trip and start in the spring.
^^^^Or if you prefer to start in the fall when most freshmen begin, you can take a gap year and find a job or something else to do when you are back from the trip.
Missing 3 weeks of school because of a vacation is a really bad idea. Either postpone going on the trip or postpone that semester entirely.