<p>So I was offered to apply for a 10 month study abroad-ish thing that would basically last from September 2010 to June 2011. The total cost of the program would be about 8,000 dollars or so. Now, I have to send in recommendations, copies of important docs, write a bit of an essay, and send in $600 before a mid June deadline. The reason why I'm not really wanting to call it a study abroad is because I don't think I can get an credit for it (even though I would be studying...at a university....abroad...and taking tests at the end) since it's not through my college or anything. It would be more for the experience than anything, I believe.</p>
<p>So, here's my question: How would UCI look at this? I just finished my first year of college at a CC, so instead of transferring for Fall 2011, I would transfer Fall 2012. Would my possibilities to go to UCI be restricted because I went international for about a year and then came back? If anyone could answer, that would be great! Or even offer some opinion and such, that would be great as well.</p>
<p>Oh, and they don't take many people, so even if I do apply and such, there's a good chance I many not be able to go anyway, lol.</p>
<p>You’ll be fine. You won’t be penalized for anything like studying abroad. Just make sure you report whatever grades you get abroad when you apply to the UC’s. There’s an “Additional Comments” box after your personal statements where you can further explain this matter. The only detriment to your plan is that you’re setting yourself back a year, but if that doesn’t bother you, then you’re good to go.</p>
<p>If anything, the UC’s will like this: It’ll show a little ambition, provides some uniqueness to your app, and you could possibly even write about it in your Personal Statements. </p>
<p>no, your chances of getting admitted wouldn’t be restricted. I took half of a year off to go on a road trip, and I got in everywhere I applied. I have never gotten the sense from any counselor or university representative that taking time off was a negative on my application.</p>
<p>Just make sure you ask UCI (if that’s where you want to go), if the courses you take would indeed transfer BEFORE you actually take the classes. Because if they do transfer than you would want to do well, and if not… than you can not worry about grades as much. Or at least that’s how I would do it :D</p>
<p>I would go to classes/take exams (written and oral Dx )</p>
<p>I kinda doubt I would be getting any credit :P, simply because it’s Hungarian, NOT Spanish/French/German/Chinese/Japanese/Italian (the “typical” languages) but I’ll look into it a bit more.</p>
<p>@emilsinclair9 - “The only detriment to your plan is that you’re setting yourself back a year, but if that doesn’t bother you, then you’re good to go.”</p>
<p>Yeah, my dad brought that up…how in a sense I could be “losing” ~ 40-50k because it would mean losing a possible year of working right after graduation. ut I think a lot of it is experience too. Idk, it’s a bit nerve wracking :/</p>
<p>@absurdmike - “I have never gotten the sense from any counselor or university representative that taking time off was a negative on my application.”</p>
<p>Phew! Okay, that makes me feel a little better :]</p>
<p>Overall, the program costs around 7,000 to 8,000 dollars (this includes EVERYTHING - food, plane tickets, student visa fee, etc. you name it, and it’s calculated) for the entire program. Which is actually NOT very expensive at all… but it’s still money…and an opportunity of a lifetime.</p>
<p>Thanks for helping you two! I really appreciate it! And if anyone else wants to add in their two cents, then by all means, go for it. I’m welcome to hear anything.</p>