<p>Hello, I'm currently a sophomore student in MN.
I'm an international student...Asian.</p>
<p>I'm wondering if it is okay to have a year off between sophomore and junior year.
My grandparents' health is very bad.. and my grandma(dad's mother) had just past away and I couldn't even go to the funeral because I couldn't get the air ticket.. I cried whole few days...
Yeah,, I'm frustrated and worried about my grandparents..</p>
<p>So, I'm thinking about having a year off and go back to my country
just at least to see(!) my grandparents.. before it's too late.</p>
<p>Is there going to be much disadvantage toward the admission?
Right now, I'm straight A student and I think (I hope) I can still maintain
my grade even after a year off.
If I do this, I'll be homeschooled for a year and I'll still study and take AP tests and stuff.. Also, after one year, I'll be junior(not senior).
Should I do this or should I just stay next year in US?</p>
<p>please give me some advices.
Especially, those who had one or two year offs or gap years.. Please tell me how that affect the admissions..</p>
<p>Hi, I'm an international too. I took a gap year, and I think it was the wisest decisions I could have made (see my location!). But taking a year off in highschool sounds much more uncommon for me. As a personal, uninformed opinion, I think if you explained this clear enough to the adcoms, it wouldn't be a problem - possibly it would be a plus because you are able to think out of the box. Again, my insight into the minds of the admission deans is inexistant, so maybe someone else can share his/her opinion on this.</p>
<p>This happened many years ago but it might prove instructive for you - I took four months off in the spring of my junior year to visit a brother in living in the S. Pacific. I ended up staying abroad, working and travelling for three years - talk about a great education. When I finally returned to college (I didn't receive my BS until I was 28) my entire academic interest had shifted and I felt excited and alive when I went to classes. I have since gone on and completed an MA and a Doctorate - in fact, I am much better educated than all of my peers that went straight through for their undergrad degrees.
It sounds as though your family means alot to you - and there is no better excuse than taking time off than to assist those you love. Just use the time wisely - continue to grow - find out what is truly meaningful to you then make sure you return to school to finish up the degree - keep in mind - if you transfer to another school, you may end up having to do five years as I did because the credits don't always transfer accordingly. Good luck!</p>
<p>you have to do what your heart tells you to do. I am not quite understanding if you are in high school or college. If you will regret not going to help your grandparents then you must do it. just make sure, as the other poster stated, that you return to school and complete your education. that will make you and your family proud.</p>
<p>Rami - Returning home for a year to be w/ your ailing grandparents will not harm you in anyway! And, it will nourish your soul! Especially if you take some AP classes, as it will nourish the souls of your family to see you continue your studies! You have a wise heart! Good luck to you!</p>
<p>Rami,
Go home.<br>
If you don't, you will always regret it. </p>
<p>It won't be a disadvantage in terms of college admissions -- as it is something that can easily be explained.</p>
<p>But even if it did -- your family is more important than what college you get into. You will have plenty of opportunities in respect to your own education - if one thing doesn't work out, then you will simply pursue a slightly different path. But you won't ever be able to come back and replace time that you have lost with the people you love. </p>
<p>Sometimes you really need to follow your heart. This is one of those times.</p>