<p>How would taking a year off after Freshman year and applying to transfer during your year off to enter as a sophmore affect your application? Could it strengthen it? Would it depend what you do with your year off?</p>
<p>Depends on a couple of things, I think...What are your grades like before withdrawing from your current school? If they're low and you then you take a year off, colleges will probably think you withdrew because you couldn't handle it. Which is not good...so if you're grades aren't steller, I'd work on improving them a lot before leaving, if that's what you want to do. </p>
<p>What are your high school stats like - because more emphasis will be placed on them if you apply as a sophomore vs a junior (this will help some people and hurt others, obviously). Just something to keep in mind.</p>
<p>And definetly what you do during your year off. A year's a long time, after all...if I were to take one off I'd probably try to get involved in something sort of related to my intended major, interesting, demanding. Show the colleges you apply to that you're dedicated, hardworking, ect., even when not in school. Also, I'd guess you should be prepared to explain why you felt it'd be better for you leave the first school somewhere on your application (you can spin this in a positive way, especially if you do end up doing something interesting during your time off). </p>
<p>Anyway, good luck and all.</p>
<p>I took a year off after HS and although it put me a year behind all of my friends in school I would do it over in a heartbeat. I got some real life experiences and decided to turn my life around. </p>
<p>Make sure you do something meaningful and you have a good reason that can be explained well and you'll be fine.</p>