Expert: Susie Watts - 8/31/2007

Question
Hi, i recently asked a question about transferring after the first semester and
am now considering taking a semester off. I have a close friend who took the
first semester off because he was still very unsure of what college he wanted
to go to.  He then applied for the second semester and had no problems at
all. As you could probably tell from my last question I was and still am very
unsure where i want to go. Are there big cons in taking the semester off to
clear your head and really make the right decision and apply as a freshman
for the second semester?

Answer
Taking a semester off is not a bad thing to do, but when you transfer to another school, it is not always as easy as it sounds.  First of all, everyone else has been there for a semester and many have established friendships.  Sometimes you have credits that won't transfer from one school to the next.  Colleges sometimes want to know why you picked a school and decided to leave after one semester.  If I were you, I would finish the semester where you are and begin to look at schools that might interest you if you are not happier.  You can always apply for the fall semester and defer until spring if you feel you need a semester off.