Taking a semester off: Advice?

Transfer Students
1

<p>Due to financial difficulties, it's looking like I won't be able to afford the Fall semester. (I don't get much financial aid, not enough to cover tuition costs.) I was thinking that I should take the Fall semester off, try to find a job and accumulate funds to be able to afford another semester of college.</p>

<p>However, will taking a semester off look bad when I try to transfer out of my CC? So far, I have 21 credits (not counting 3 credits I got from my AP scores, I'm not sure if those 3 credits count when I'm trying to transfer) and I'm currently taking a summer class. So, if the AP credits + the credits I got from my CC are both valid, I'll have 27 credits. My overall GPA is a 3.50 and I have one W.</p>

<p>Here's my second question: Should I just try and apply to a university for Spring with the credits that I have now without continuing to go to my CC for Fall? Or should I make an attempt to scrounge for funds to pay for my Fall semester?</p>

<p>I appreciate all your input. I'm really unsure about where to go from here.</p>

2

<p>honestly, the more classes you take at the university, the better it looks. i think a gap would be a “blemish,” on your academic record, but if you can afford to take the classes at the university rather than the community college, i would take them at the university.</p>

<p>this is coming from someone who is looking back on their college career realizing how so much was wasted in the community college system.</p>

3

<p>I dont think the gap would be a “blemish”. They probably understand that some people might need time to make money for tuition.</p>

4

<p>Hmm…it’s not that I can necessarily afford a university now but I’m hoping by not using funds for my CC (tuition + public transportation) I’ll have accumulated a decent amount of money by Spring.</p>

<p>I’m worried that the gap will cast a negative light on my transcript…on the other hand it’s nearly fiscally impossible for me to afford the fall semester…any other opinions?</p>

5

<p>You have to remember that you either will have to take your one time grace period or begin student loan repayments.</p>

<p>I personally would just go to the University if at all possible. Community Colleges lack community, are not highly regarded by grad schools, and do not allow you to make the connections you will need to network at your University.</p>

6

<p>Student loan repayments? I haven’t taken out a loan. </p>

<p>I was always planning on transferring. I’m just trying to figure out if taking a break is indeed a blemish on my record. If it is detrimental, I would have to figure out how to pay for my Fall semester.</p>

7

<p>? I don’t understand your reasoning. First, will it be a blemish? No. Classes are classes. If they transfer, they transfer. I went to a university str8 after high school. Now I am at a community college finishing after I went into the military. I wish I would have saved the money and just went to c.c. instead. </p>

<p>Your reasoning is money, not academic rigor of classes. What makes you think you can afford university if you cannot afford community college? Take a semester off. Work. Maybe even 2 classes at night while you work so you wont be in community college so long if you take no classes at all. As long as you are making good academic progress, it wont matter how long you are in c.c.</p>

8

<p>If you can go to the University go.</p>

<p>You may be eligible for scholarships and grants based on your GPA. </p>

<p>Keep in mind, that if you work for say, 4 months, and make more than you did last year, your EFC may increase, therefore possible giving you less aid. If you DO end up working, then save up as much as you can.</p>

<p>A semester off may or may not look bad depending on what you do during that semester off…</p>

9

<p>@ Lookin4ward: I’ve heard others tell me that taking a break while in college will reflect badly on your transcript when you’re trying to transfer. Which is why I went here to get more advice. And, in terms of paying for university, I would begin to take out loans. Perhaps even receive scholarships or grants. Previously, my mother was paying for my tuition. </p>

<p>@ paradox3 : Thank you for your input. I really appreciate it.</p>

10

<p>“I dont think the gap would be a “blemish”. They probably understand that some people might need time to make money for tuition.”</p>

<p>regardless, it is a blemish. in math, most of the time the answers are an absolute yes or absolute no. </p>

<p>you may have a “reasoning,” for what you are doing; almost every action has reason, maybe just not a valid one that would be expected by the person judging or requesting the reasoning - but someone who has this “gap,” semester is of course going to be looked down upon versus someone who graduated in 8 semesters consecutively. </p>

<p>i would try to keep things “in the box,” as much as possible if you are preparing for graduate school. </p>

<p>honestly, is the degree that valuable to you? it seems people graduating with 4.0 from the fuqua school of business at Duke University are unable to find employment. </p>

<p>taking 5-6 years to finish an undergraduate degree while taking night classes with less than a 4.0 - will show that you are persistent to employers (so there is a positive), but the reality is - i would say - you are weaker than the aforementioned example.</p>

<p>so, why even try anymore? </p>

<p>do not take this as an attack on what you are trying to do for yourself; i only raise these concerns as i also am faced with struggles and less than adequate performance and achievements than what i desired in academia. my bigger issues probably are outside of the classroom to tell you the truth.</p>

<p>however, with that said, i would like to see how things work out for you, and myself and this issue is relevant to me. is it worth it if you are in a situation where you are forced to take night classes?</p>

<p>i know night classes and that route are not as rigorous, and honestly seem like a gimmick. it is kind of depressing honestly. for instance, online colleges. </p>

<p>i am the type of student that has a strong hatred towards online, weekend, and night classes as they just feel like a “watered down experience.” most of the students are not as strong, the teachers and professors are not as thorough, and it is just a depressing experience. even during the traditional day classes - the experience can vary dramatically (morning vs evening classes), etc.</p>

<p>every class (basically) is full at UNC for fall 2011; thus, if i do attend i will most likely get put in every single section that i do not want. maybe i deserve this for some reason? who am i to judge what is right for me? having society dictate such is very frustrating; thus, where is the line drawn between accepting what others feel is right for you, and fighting your way to satisfaction?</p>

<p>it’s like students who are told they are not as intelligent and are not capable and thus are put into “slower,” classes. much of this is a “mind game.” how many times have you been on the verge of achieving something or completing something but you get in your head that you can’t so you just stop and give up. i guess a great example would be with sports players - coaches condition them mentally (and physically of course) to believe that they can… idk. plenty of random tidbits of thought here. </p>

<p>i hate talking negative about anyone, or anything… as i feel it is bad karma. however, these are issues i would like to address as when you wake up one day with a reality check realizing that “someone,” gave you the short end of the stick… you are going to be wondering why. and what if?</p>

11

<p>“@ Lookin4ward: I’ve heard others tell me that taking a break while in college will reflect badly on your transcript when you’re trying to transfer. Which is why I went here to get more advice. And, in terms of paying for university, I would begin to take out loans. Perhaps even receive scholarships or grants. Previously, my mother was paying for my tuition.”</p>

<p>i had a gap in my transcripts. i officially withdrew from ALL my classes in the fall and took a semester off the spring. this has pretty much killed my motivation to continue anymore. </p>

<p>however, UNC did accept me as a junior transfer. i still highly recommend to avoid it if at all possible, though. if life happens - so let it happen. yet, it is simply “strange,” to look at. imagine yourself being a counselor that is reviewing applications. what would you think if you saw transcripts that had gap semesters in them? that is how i view it… that sucks because no one wants to have their hard work looked at as insufficient.</p>