I was supposed to go to college this fall but now I think I may want to wait.?

Question

Not long, maybe just until winter semester, maybe another year, I don't know. I just don't think I want to go yet, I want to work more and save up a little more money and generally do a couple things before I start post-secondary, one of them being deciding if I'm in the right program for me.

The problem is I've already been accepted and I'm supposed to start in less than a month and my tuition has been paid. Is there any way I can not go this semester and not lose my tuition? I plan on calling the school tomorrow to find out for sure, but I just was curious if anyone knew off-hand. Someone tell me it isn't too late to pull out of the program for awhile. I do plan on doing it, or something else, eventually.

Answer 1

I wouldn't wait. Many students enter college and don't know what they want to major in. Other enter and think they know exactly what they want, and change their major in a semester, two or three. I have a friend who has changed his major 4 times and he's a junior. Sometimes it's best to find out what you like by taking classes in certain subjects. You can't do that at home.

Besides, if you don't start now...you'll be further behind. And who's to say you'll ever start? I know you think you will, but you might always have some sort of excuse. I hope you don't withdraw.  

Answer 2

Im 24 and just recently started. At first it seemed hard becuase i am so old but im glad i waited. If i would of went straight after highschool i think it would have been a waste and a big mistake. I would have probably graduated with a degree in something i didnt enjoy and would have put my heart in it at all. Now im going to be an engineer, i KNOW its what i want to do and now i can put 100% into it. I definitely think its worth waiting, get some real world experience.

Answer 3

im not sure if you can be convinced to not put college off...but some things you may want to consider: many schools i know of in CA are not accepting anyone for Spring 2009, because they are overbooked. and i have 2 friends who had to explain to interviewers the absense of time between highschool and college...and the other had to explain why he stopped going to college for a year. even though they did finish, it didnt come off well to employers. just some thoughts

Answer 4

You are cutting it rather close, but most schools have "deferred admission" or "deferred attendance" which is exactly what you want:  they let you in now, but you will attend later (you need to tell them when).

If it's a small college, waiting one term will put you out of sequence because they won't offer everything every quarter.  The first term of a year-long sequence would only be offered in the autumn so you wouldn't be able to start it in the winter or spring.  Waiting a year obviously avoids this problem.  On the other hand, large universities tend to offer everything every quarter.

The downside of waiting a year is that you forget things.  Mathematics especially comes to mind.

If you have personal business to take care of and if it will take your full time, then waiting may be a good idea.  But not knowing just what you want to major in is not a good reason to wait; most people change their minds at least once while undergraduates.  If that's really your only reason, go now.