<p>Is it a good idea to take a gap year before applying to the UCs as a transfer student?</p>
<p>I am younger than most CC students, and I feel that taking some time off will help me become more mature and ready for college. I am planning to work full-time in a field related to my major during the gap year. Since I will pay for my own tuition, I am also hoping that working full-time will allow me to minimize student loan debt. </p>
<p>Are there any rules/regulations against taking time off before transferring? Will it reduce my chances of being accepted?</p>
<p>I don’t think there are any specific rules about taking a gap year, but I think that especially for some of the higher tier UCs they like to see consistency. Also by taking a gap year you will not be able to tag any of the UCs. There is also the danger of taking a gap year, then somehow never making it back. Speaking as an older student I know firsthand how that can happen. Also keep in mind the Blue and Gold plan for the UCs, which will cover your tuition if your family meets the income requirements. I believe 80,000 a year is the cutoff.</p>
<p>One thing to look into is how it would affect your ability to satisfy the TAG requirements, which is a program that guarantees admission to your choice of several UC campuses. I’m not an expert, but the TAG requirements at some UCs seem written in a way to require enrollment at a CC the year prior to admission to the UC. For example Davis says
Many students find TAG beneficial because it is a guarantee and because the GPA needed for TAG may be less than that needed for open admission.</p>
<p>But as a general answer, there is no rule against taking time off. Many older students have done just that; earned an AA, then realized after a few years in the workforce that a 4-year degree would improve their career prospects.</p>
<p>“Domestic and international students who are enrolled full time at any California community college spring 2013 through spring 2014 are eligible for a UC Davis fall 2014 TAG. Students will need to complete at least 30 semester (45 quarter) UC transferable units at one or more California community colleges to meet the required UC definition of a California community college student.”</p>
<p>Sorry I don’t quite understand. Does that mean when accumulating the 30 semester units, the student has to be a full time student? Or does the full time student requirement only apply after you acquired the 30 semester units? Have I just doomed myself the chance to apply for TAG by taking a long gap year?</p>