<p>Ok I'm just beginning my sophomore year. Like this is the second week of school. I'll give some background before I jump into my question:</p>
<p>I spent my first semester of college at my local state university, and for my second semester I transferred to a private Christian college in California. So I spent last spring at this private university - and now I've just begun there again this Fall. Except I'm on this study abroad program in the mountains...and I basically hate it. I'm really homesick. I cry everyday. All I want to do is go back home. I literally can't take the pain of this anymore.</p>
<p>So I am thinking about dropping all my classes, getting a refund, and just moving back home. I'd take this semester off and work, and then start up at my local state university in the Spring. I NEVER in my entire life would have imagined myself taking a semester off. I'm extremely goal driven, make great grades, and am focusing on grad school for the future. </p>
<p>Is doing this going to totally ruin any chances I have of getting into a prestigious graduate program? Transferring back and forth and taking semesters off looks really flaky. I'm just so confused about what I should do. Please help!</p>
<p>Well the deadline to add/drop completely is on the 17th, so I’m assuming that would give me a refund. Just assume the refund will happen, I’m calling about it tomorrow - but I need to know if its a really bad choice or not.</p>
<p>Don’t know if you should or not, but don’t be ashamed because you’re not alone. College really put a huge dent in my confidence. I wanted nothing more than to leave and I’ve already transferred and withdrawn.</p>
<p>i believe 20% of the harvard undergrads take a whole year off, sometime over their undergrad time. this “gap year” is becoming very popular with colleges and students. evidence shows that students get more out of college and perform better after taking a gap year.</p>
<p>If you are not going to get the most out of your college experience, you should take time off. There is no point paying for college, if you would get more from it in a semesters time. I’m not sure what a graduate admissions director would say about this, but I think you would definitely be able to construe this semester off as positive. Just be sure you’re doing it for the right reasons and will get something out of it.</p>
<p>Take the semester off. It is only a semester delay toward graduation and in the big picture it really doesn’t matter as long as you take care of any details or fallout of the quick switch (getting refunds, etc.)</p>
<p>Talk to someone in person with professional skills; if you must withdraw, then do it, especially if you are at the point of no return for the semester. I would not withdraw if your feelings are associated with homesickness, a boyfriend or girlfriend back at home, or due to social changes due to your new study abroad programs. You do need to show that you can stick to something, but don’t stay if your grades will plummet because of your mental state. Based on your post grades are not the issue, so I would stick it out unless you fear you can’t complete the semester successfully.</p>
<p>First, its only a semester abroad in the mountains? Right? Can you endure it for this semester? You can transfer back to state university in the spring if you wish.</p>
<p>If you are depressed, then seek some help with that. Its not uncommon, dear. Just relax and look for the best of things. This too shall pass. </p>
<p>And be easier on yourself. But if you are struggling with internal issues, then by all means go to campus counseling or campus ministry. They have seen it before. You are not alone.</p>
<p>My grades aren’t the issue. I could easily make straight A’s here if I wanted to. I just DON’T want to. I don’t care. I feel like a semester off would allow me to focus, by my self, without stressing about anything and just figure out what I want to do. </p>
<p>But I also feel like I’d regret it, big time. I’d have no steady group of friends anymore, I’d be jumping from school to school and never finding the community I want. I have it up here - but I can’t stand being this far from home. I feel like being home is more important right now. I just can’t take this.</p>
<p>Being far away from friends and home was difficult for my son. They couldn’t easily take a road trip and visit him the way they could with their other friends. If we could do it all over, he’d go to a less rigorous school closer to home. Taking time off would not have been a good option for him: too much time, nothing to do.</p>
<p>Starting a new school is always stressful. You are not alone to feel without friends. What do your parents say? Have you explored the financial options? I suggest you get in touch with your GC (or someone knowledgeable about you and colleges) with all the facts so make an intelligent decision.</p>
<p>I’m not addressing whether or not you should take time off. Your question was about it hurting your chances of getting into a “prestigious graduate school”. “Prestigious” is open for discussion, but here is a short answer.
Admission to graduate school programs (I would recommend ‘appropriate’ rather than ‘prestigious’) will depend more on your entrance scores and GPA than most anything else, unless interviews are also involved. So a solid academic background, however and wherever obtained, plus your score on the entrance test (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT etc.) will weigh heavily in any admissions decision.
Your emotional and mental health are of prime importance. Good luck whichever road you take.</p>