I have decided to pursue a gap year. I figured I would take a few classes at my community college to continue my academics. This fall semester I am taking 7 credits. Is it possible for me to apply as a freshman when I apply to colleges for fall 2018? I realize with so few credits I would not be a competitive transfer student, is it possible for me to apply as a freshman? I asked a few college admission counselors and some colleges say if I do not take any classes for the spring semester I could apply as a freshman. Pace University is my top school and I asked them and at first they said I had to apply as a transfer then they said I should apply as an advanced freshman because I would have a better chance at merit scholarships but then they said that I actually had to apply as a transfer no matter what. I am confused and I am wondering if there is anyway around this because I have so few credits, isn’t the same as a high school student that does dual enrollment? Couldn’t I just apply as a freshman and submit my high school transcript and my community college transcript with my few credits and be admitted as a freshman?
Big mistake to take CC credits. This could very well make you a transfer student instead of a freshman aoplicant at many colleges. Once you graduate from HS, most colleges will consider CC credits taken after that to be college credits – and you aren’t a freshman any more. As you are discovering, that takes you out of the running for freshman merit aid. Often transfers get worse need based aid, too. Are you past the drop rate at your CC where you could fully withdraw?
You have to check with each college on those rules, but Pace’s rules are no surprise.
They took CC classes in high school. You are not in high school anymore, so that doesn’t apply to you.
Some schools would still admit you as a freshman if you have under a certain number of credits (at my school it’s 18), while others will consider you a transfer with even 1 college credit. You will have to check websites individually.
@anniegelles - intparent is right. You will get less aid/scholarships as a transfer than as a freshman. Look for meaningful work (volunteer) that will help you grow this year and better understand what you would like to pursue in college. Good luck!
You have to look at your colleges of interest. Some will count you as a freshman, some will not.
Why do you want to take a gap year?
What do you want to get out of your gap year?
If you want to take classes, why not just go right to college?
If you want to work, why not just work?
Or study abroad? Or volunteer?