I was recently admitted to UCLA, which I am super stoked about, but I also really really really want to take a gap year. Now of course, with my luck, UCLA does not let you do that. I can also attend a different out of state highly ranked institution with a gap year, but I don’t think my experience there will match the one I will have at UCLA (although I think I would definitely enjoy both). I don’t know if I should choose a gap year and the OOS school, or UCLA. Does anyone who took a gap year have anything they could say about my situation? Pros? Cons?
Another big problem is that I don’t know whether or not corona will be gone in the fall. I am taking a gap year to mainly travel, and I don’t know if I will be able to do that at all in my gap year.
I would not bet on everything going back to the seamless world we once had before COVID-19. With that being said, it won’t be a “flip of the switch” and everything is normal again. Travel, industry and society in general will grow back into normalcy. Your future travel plans may still be impacted in the fall, given how slow we all are able to adjust back to a normal world.
Would love to give insight on a gap year, but I did not take one. I am currently a freshman at the University of Michigan. Congrats on UCLA - that’s huge!
Have you been to the OOS school yet? How did it compare to UCLA for you?
Sorry but even those who took a gap year really can not help you here, as you realize things are very different with Covid-19. First thing is check with UCLA, some schools are more open to Gap years than others, I was surprised to hear Syracuse for example was totally fine with it, all that they asked was deposit by May1 to hold your spot and do not go to another college full time, they would allow you to take up to 2 classes a semester at a CC. What is the OOS school, is it Ucla equal? You may be able to mention you are choosing between both schools and the gap year decision could sway you. I would not count on traveling in the fall but that is just my 2 cents. If you could not travel would you go to UCLA?
It appears from looking at OP’s other posts that the other school might be Wash U.
Are you in state or OOS for UCLA? If you are in state, the price difference is significant.
The OOS school is WashU, yes. I live in California so UCLA is definitely the most economical choice. However, UCLA does not allow students to defer enrollment for gap years. I also have not visited either school, and in light of the current pandemic I will have to commit before visiting.
My two cents for what it’s worth: Enroll in UCLA and do not look back. Do not take a gap year, especially now. The chances of being able to travel is unlikely, getting a job will be extremely difficult. You’ll sit at home twiddling your thumbs wondering why you didn’t just take advantage of the amazing opportunity you had in front of you while all of your friends are getting on with their lives. Plan to travel in 4 yrs once you graduate. You’ll be happy you did.
My son took a gap year in 2018. He had a fantastic time in Spain learning Spanish living with some Spanish friends of ours. He really enjoyed his gap year but wouldn’t have taken the gap year at the expense of his first choice college. If you really want to go to UCLA go.
@Z131313 Did you see that UCLA sent out a communication that at this time they cannot guarantee housing due to COVID. It’s likely that they will need to put people in individual rooms. So if you don’t get housing (which Freshman most likely won’t) then you are basically stuck with online. My daughter committed to UCLA, but now she is upset with the idea of having to do her freshman year online. UCLA doesn’t allow deferrals which makes it even more challenging. Our state school which normally doesn’t allow deferred admission has stated they will allow deferred admission in the event classes are forced to be online.