<p>I'm a canadian sophomore hoping to transfer to Yale next year (yes, international transfer...hell has been known to fall below zero) and long story short, aftera year and a half of full course loads I'm strongly thinking of taking the upcoming winter 08 semester off. I want to use that time to work, pass my SATs (its required by Yale and the Quebec system doesn't provide it during high school), and hopefully do an internship at a great advertising company.</p>
<p>Now my question is: Is this a bad idea? How will it be looked upon by yale? Favorably, unfavorable, perhaps its not even a factor.</p>
<p>Regardless, should I still write a letter to explain this?</p>
<p>Bigger question: What is the impact of taking the semester off if you're not accepted as a transfer student?</p>
<p>Its null. I just stay an extra semester or take the classes I would have taken this winter in the summer of 08.</p>
<p>(How is that a bigger question?)</p>
<p>I was just wondering if you would have taken off the semester regardless of trying to transfer. If you weren't, the question was how you would feel if you didn't get in and how it would impact your plans. Taking a semester off would have had multiple impacts on me, but your situation is likely different.</p>
<p>If you take a semester off and are hoping to transfer to an elite college, I'd do something extremely impressive so you don't look unfocused. However, admissions probably understands if you have financial problems and need to work.</p>
<p>So you're saying they will not look favorably to it then.
Should I still write the note?</p>
<p>Bumped. Would love to hear other opinions on this. Im afraid it could kill my application.</p>