taking a gap year between community college & university

Applying to College
1

<p>i graduated in june and i'm in my first semester at community college. i have been working at my job for over a year and i was planning on working during college to save money for when i transfer to a university but i didn't realize how hard it would be...it really is NOT working, i have 5 classes and i just quit my job because i think i really can't work now and still expect to get good grades. it was WAYYY too much for me... it sucks having to quit my job but getting out of community college is my #1 priority because i dont want to get "stuck" there. anyways i realized i am not going to be able to save any money during my time at CC because i can't work....i want to go to a UC school but my parents will only pay the tuition and not for the dorm/apartment/whatever...the only UC i can commute to is irvine and that is 25 miles. my sister does that but it looks like it sucks....i dont think i get get much fin. aid (i'm going to try to have my sister apply next semester just to see if we'll qualify) and i really want to avoid loans. if i dont go to UCI or another college i can commute to i'm going to need like 25K to afford a dorm/apartment for 2 years...my question is can i apply to UC schools next fall and then if i get in can i take a gap year between CC and a university or will that not be allowed? or can i finish up all my courses at CC and then apply in fall 2013 and like...not go to school that year?? </p>

<p>i just really want to finish college without loans but its hard when i cant handle working and school at the same time !!!</p>

2

<p>I’m not sure how the UC system works, but at private colleges I have looked into, this is completely acceptable. </p>

<p>It’s called deferred entrance. Most school’s maximum deferrals are for one year. </p>

<p>You have to apply or explain to the dean of admissions or whoever why you want to take the gap year. </p>

<p>Most people do it to work, volunteer, or travel, so I’m sure your case isn’t all that out of the ordinary. </p>

<p>I would look on their website or call the admissions office for more info. Like I said, I’m not sure about the UC’s policy on this, but it seems like it is common elsewhere.</p>

3

<p>I say go ahead and do it. It seems like from your post you really need it.</p>

4

<p>UC schools don’t offer deferred admission unless you have special circumstances like being called up to active duty in the military.</p>

<p>Also you should look into the Transfer Admission Guarantee program (TAG) that many UC schools have for CC transfer students. While you can’t do this with all majors, you can with many of them. Should you be interested in a major that qualifies, you can take that year off from college confident that you are guaranteed admission when you apply.</p>