We just returned from a campus tour earlier this week at UDel and learned about the “mini- semester” (what I am calling it) from Jan 2nd to mid February each year. Our information session speaker mentioned it and our tour guide went into more detail. Our tour guide said you have a choice of doing a semester abroad for this six week period, taking up to two to three classes, or doing nothing and “hanging out at home and watching Netflix” which is what she did this past year.
What concerned me a bit is that the credits taken during this mini midyear semester are NOT covered by tuition paid for the school year. It’s extra! R&B on campus is covered but course credits are additional cost. This means that the already high tuition, R&B, and fees for my daughter, a business major, of $48,174 might be even higher if she takes any classes during this mid-year semester. If she decides not to take a course during this midyear mini semester she has to find something to do or just go home for about 8 weeks (2 week Christmas break plus six week mini semester) from mid December to mid February. That seems like a waste of time and her friends will be back in school for much of the time she is home.
I already posted about the big price increases UDel has made in recent years now with additional surcharges to many majors. So I especially don’t like the fact that the midyear semester course credits are extra tuition money. The University needs to make this more clear when they send you information and projected COA.
But maybe the mid-year mini-semester is a good thing. Does anyone have any opinions about it or personal experiences? Internships? Something else I am not seeing?
For some background, I’m a freshman mechanical engineering major.
To me, it’s really what you make of it.
I know some friends who got internships or did some sort of career building stuff, and found it useful in that it let them get an edge for future summer internships.
I know a few people who did study abroad and loved it. They said they really liked being able to experience a different culture but not miss out on a whole semester.
I know some kids who just sat at home and did nothing, or visited their friends colleges.
I know a ton of kids who worked. I’d say a majority of the people I know ended up working somehow over the break and found it useful because they were able to make some money before going back for their second semester.
I know some kids who didn’t study abroad, but just used it as time to travel and experience the world.
Personally, I just worked for the most part, and visited a few friends at other colleges while they were back at school. At times it was slow, and I kinda wished I was back, but overall it wasn’t a big deal. I think the opinion of everyone I’ve met so far generally is that either you don’t mind it because you don’t do anything, or you love it because you got to do a study abroad, cool internship, etc. No one I’ve met has really disliked it, it’s just kinda… there… I guess is the way I would put it.
My daughter committed to UDel but this was a huge negative. It sounds wonderful on paper but the reality of paying an extra $10,000 a year for this opportunity is less than compelling. We are out of state, also.
@Delocalized It sounds just like I thought- somewhat of a waste of time with students, for the most part, just finding a way to occupy themselves for 6 weeks mid-year. I don’t see the opportunity for my dd to do study abroad during this six week mini semester as a positive thing because you could do that during the fall or spring semester without having to pay extra for academic credits. Study abroad during this mini semester just needlessly costs extra tuition and lengthens the school year. If not for this mini semester UDel could shorten the calendar year in the spring and fall and students would have more time to work and earn money or spend with friends during the summer vacation. It may be hard to find employment for 6 weeks mid-winter and the alternate idea of my daughter visiting her friends at their colleges, while her friends are hard at work earning their own credits towards their own graduation, doesn’t seem like good use of her time.
My daughter committed to Udel but now rethinking. Just found out it’s 8 weeks, not six. I tried to speak with an admission representative and she was not only unhelpful, but rude.
Since my last post my daughter crossed UDel off her list. This mid-year waste of time and added expense was the major reason along with UDel’s relatively high price tag ($48k- OOS, business major surcharge, no merit).