Withdrawing from Cal for a semester...

Colleges & Universities University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>I’m currently a 2nd year (3rd semester) student at Berkeley. I’m considering taking my Spring 2009 semester off. I’m a poli sci major and after this semester, I’ll be done with my lower division major pre-reqs and ALL of my GE requirements (college of l+s breadths, r+c, etc). So basically, if I do take a semester off and return in Fall 2009, I’ll still have two years (or 4 semesters) to complete my remaining 7 upper-division major requirements-- which is completely doable (with leeway to “experiment” with classes from various departments).</p>

<p>I feel like I need the semester off to find my academic direction. I was originally planning on going to law school but I realized that law just isn’t for me. My brother works for a law firm and I seriously cannot imagine myself doing what he does. I can’t even imagine working at a place where I have to sit at a desk all day. I’ve always had a general interest in health so now I’m looking into nursing. Unfortunately, Berkeley doesn’t offer any classes/programs in nursing. Thus, I just want to spend next semester volunteering at a hospital and maybe taking a few nursing/health-related classes at a local community college to see if the field is really right for me. </p>

<p>I have two concerns regarding withdrawing for a semester:

  1. After taking a semester off, are students guaranteed to be readmitted to Berkeley?
    and
  2. How do graduate schools look at applicants who withdraw for a semester in the middle of their undergrad? Would it look bad on their application-- even if they did something productive during their time off?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>From a completely personal standpoint maelstrom31, I agree with your mindset. Ultimately, you have to do what you think is most productive. If you feel volunteering at a hospital and taking a few nursing classes is more productive than staying here at Berkeley for Spring 2009, I would follow through with it.</p>

<p>As for guaranteed re-admittance and graduate school admissions, I’m not too sure. To tell you the truth, I wouldn’t trust what anyone says on this forum. Go see an L&S adviser in Campbell and lay out your plan…I think it’ll be useful.</p>

3

<p>I agree with a lot of points that Def890 says. You do have to find what’s best for you, even if it’s not at Berkeley. But also you have to be careful that if you decide not to go here for Spring 2009 and come back for Fall 2009, you have to make sure they’ll take you back. I knew someone who was able to take a year off from school, but that was more for like a family emergency. Each student’s situation is different and if went this route, you would definitely have to get it approved through not only counselors but administration so that you have the opportunity to come back to Berkeley if you want to next Fall.</p>

4

<p>I talked with an l&s advisor this morning and he told me that readmittance is guaranteed for those who cancel their admissions (as long as they meet a certain number of guidelines). :slight_smile: Thus my only concern left is if I should take time off or not (b/c I still don’t know how grad schools would view it). I’ll probably visit a counselor at the career center later.
Thanks for the responses, guys.</p>

5

<p>What about a term abroad? Pick up a small course load and still take a mental break? You may be too late for spring, but could do fall.</p>

<p>I do know people who did study abroad through other school’s programs and had to reapply to Cal thereafter and had no problem with readmission</p>