How much will this affect my admissions chances?

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hey there, College Confidential.</p>

<p>I finished two years of full time courses at my community college this past spring- I have more than enough credits to transfer as a junior now.</p>

<p>Except... I will be applying to transfer in the fall of '09, and until then, I won't be going to school full time. There are a couple reasons why I am not transferring until Fall '09: first of all, I missed the Fall '08 deadlines. Second of all, if I wait until Fall '09, I will be 24 and eligible for financial aid, and cannot afford tuition otherwise. Third of all, I will be moving to another state in September, and in order to establish residency for my safety school, I can only take 8 credits or less per term for one whole year (so that I prove I did not move to the new state for "going to school").</p>

<p>While I do plan on taking some classes, I will not be on a "full time" school schedule. I will be working (hopefully close to) full time though, and my job IS related (somewhat) to my major. I also plan on doing a good deal of relevant-to-my-major learning and research independent of classes. </p>

<p>But will this year of not taking many classes- or perhaps not even any classes- hurt the image I will be presenting to admissions? What is the best way to present my relevant activities so that I can show schools that I made good use of my "time off"?</p>

<p>Thanks a lot,
Uuu (aka Rg)</p>

2

<p>Hey Uuu, </p>

<p>congrats on finishing your 2 years at CC! I just finished my 2 years at my CC too (going to gtownnn!). It seems like you are taking a gap year, which could be in your favor if what you do in that time is productive. I would def consider activities that are relevant to your major. (What is your major by the way?). Also being a bit older than the rest of the transfer applicants will might make you different / eye catching. </p>

<p>I would also explain why you decided to take this gap year in your transfer essay</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

3

<p>Hi Tenniscostaleez- Thanks for the input, and good luck at your new school!
I am a food science major (but I'm considering a chemistry double major...). I work as a baker. I plan on continuing to work on (perhaps even finish) some baking experiments/projects which I have going which I apply a strong "scientific method" approach to. -They're the same projects that lured me three years ago into pursuing the major in the first place!</p>

4

<p>I don't think it will hurt you.</p>

5

<p>I think tenniscostaleez said it best. Making your gap year productive can only make you a stronger applicant, especially since you're obtaining real experience.</p>