<p>Okay, so I’m really unhappy at my current school. It’s too far away from home, it’s not a good fit for me, and it doesn’t even have the major that I’ve recently decided that I want to pursue. </p>
<p>It’s too late to for me to transfer to my desired school for the spring semester (especially seeing as I’m a first semester freshman who won’t even have a transcript for several more weeks). But I for sure want to transfer for fall 2008. </p>
<p>However, I don’t know what to do in the mean time. I could stay at my current university for the spring semester to finish up my general requirements (most of which will transfer). But at the same time…I have a feeling that once I go home for the holidays, to a place where I’m happy, I’m not going to want to come back to school. Which brings up the possibility of withdrawing from school for the spring semester and finding something to keep busy with until fall. </p>
<p>I can’t figure out what I want to do. </p>
<p>Some questions…</p>
<li><p>Does it look bad to take a semester off? I’m under the impression that it won’t be a problem, and I’m sure lots of people have had to do the same thing. But I just wanted to ask to make sure that it wouldn’t look horrible. </p></li>
<li><p>If I do take a semester off, what would be good uses of my time? With the economy as it is, getting a job probably isn’t an option. And traveling would be expensive. Volunteering is a possibility, but I can’t volunteer 24/7, I need other options too…Any ideas?</p></li>
<li><p>Are there any positives or negatives that I may not have considered yet? (Regarding either option - staying or leaving.)</p></li>
<li><p>Any other advice that might be helpful or make me feel better? I need comfort and reassurance, so anything you have would be great!</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks. :)</p>
<p>i would stay in there for another semester</p>
<p>taking your second semester of college off is something that you will really need to be able to explain...it will probably be considered a detriment to your application unless you are really able to provide a great reason why you left...one semester of college and one semester off is not going to be as attractive as an individual who has put in a full year...</p>
<p>in terms of getting into a school...you will have a better chance applying for spring '10 when colleges have a full years worth of grades to go off unless you are really sure you could have gotten into your transfer school for freshman admissions...</p>
<p>gl</p>
<p>It would help to know your current school.</p>
<p>1) Lots of people take semesters off. Don't sweat this one.</p>
<p>2) If you take time off, you need to have a plan for your time. One possibility that ou haven't mentioned would be to take classes at a community college near home. Most community colleges are open admission, so it is very likely that you could be enrolled at your "hometown" community college for second semester. </p>
<p>3) I think you've got a pretty good handle on this one.</p>
<p>4) Do you know yet which college/university you would like to transfer to? Are your choices wide open, or is there one specific target? If your goal is one particular school, then you need to find out how likely it is that you can transfer there. You might want to call their transfer admissions office and ask for advice. For all you know, they may have space for you for second semester and be willing to admit you based on your HS records.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>
<p>Before making recommendations, it would help to know what you don't like about your current school & what attracts you to your desired school. And, of course, it would help to know the two schools involved because in looking over WorldChangers prior posts, it seems as if she does not have a strong grasp on the campus cultures of several schools. Many posters on CC can share insights of their experiences at each school. It would be disappointing to transfer to another school & discover that you are unhappy there as well. More info. should yield much better advice.</p>
<p>To answer some questions: the two schools that I'm applying to for next year are state schools (one that's in my hometown, and another that's out-of-state but still within a couple hours of home). I'm not too concerned about campus culture, because I'm from the area and know several people at both schools, so I already have a pretty good feel for what it's like. The primary thing that attracts me to them is their location. And I'm not 100% positive on this, but I'm under the impression that I'll be automatically accepted into both because of my grades (but I'm not sure, I'll have to double-check on this). </p>
<p>As for my reasons....well, I'm really homesick and I don't feel like I want to be here anymore. And aside from that, the major that I want to switch into is structured around a strict 4-year program, one that we don't have at my current school. After I transfer, I'm going to have to do my freshman year over again anyway...so staying here for the spring semester would be a waste of money. Why waste another $20k to stay at a school that I'm not happy at for a semester that I'm going to have to redo anyway?</p>
<p>(I know this post makes it sound like I've already made up my mind, but I really haven't...I'm still worried that being out of school for nearly 9 months will kill my momentum and that my decision will be looked down upon.)</p>
<p>My D shared some thoughts about transferring, at least in part because of homesickness and distance from home, and I too, fear it will be harder to go back after a month of vacation (NOT "real life"). OTOH, she Is planning to return, and while I would love to have her closer, and would rather be paying state tuition, I remain hopeful she will went to stay at her current school, if she gives it more time.</p>