<p>thatsall,</p>
<p>Sorry, but I don’t know why you say that. I can list a number of schools offhand—Wellesley, Smith, Colby–that have January programs, either optional or mandatory. Oberlin faculty have confirmed that many of their offerings would qualify for Oberlin’s January session. There is no reason why any student, at any of these schools, would be prevented from taking time off to pursue an interest. Leaves of absence aren’t uncommon. </p>
<p>Now, I don’t know how the stats work. It seems to me, though, that taking time off would be treated the same at all. So why are the stats so different? Schools with higher graduation rates are frequently academically desirable schools requiring a traditional liberal arts education. Those students double major, change majors and do all those things you mentioned. What makes Oberlin students different?</p>