What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking a year away from college following the freshman year?

Removed by me, misread the question. Sigh.

I wonder if anyone has access to statistics of how many students actually come back after taking a year off. I bet it isn’t very high.

I have some friends who have gone this route and either never went back or have gone back, but it is now muchmore difficult for them.

I think it is best to stay in school and “get it over with” (not to be cynical)...you have the rest of your life to work and live on your own. Now is the best time to get a college education – before marriage or serious relationships, before having children, before being jaded by the work force.

My vote is to stay in school. If you really focus and put in extra time, maybe you could even finish early.

Actually, you’re statement of: “Financially, it is certainly helpful for the student and family.” I have not found to be correct, as historically, the price of tuition can and usually does go up every year, now much quicker than interest rates on that savings at a bank. Remember that it usually goes up by a percentage based on the tuition the year before, so it’s actually much higher than one might think, especially for private colleges. Other expenses also go up as well, such as housing, books, etc. Use breaks for travel instead or complete it and then take a break before you go out into the world.

It’s not obvious that it’s helpful, and it’s a good way to ensure that you get sidetracked and don’t come back for your second year. I wouldn’t do it.

I took a year off after hs, then I got very sick and had to take another year off after my first year, it’s been good to me, I think you need to be mature enough to take full advantage of your “college experience” when you go to college and you are a kid that has no idea how to make 5 bucks to cook lunch for himself without crying before and life circles around booze and girls, you would be dead in the real world at the end of the day

Easier to stay the course.
As Seesul already pointed out, tuition increases each year.
But if you need that extra year to work and save money, you already have your answer?

You may develop a deeper appreciation for school.
But that may come from all the difficulty you must overcome to get back in.
Not the best trade-off. It can get a little stressful.

Also, it’s a little socially-disorienting to be behind your classmates.
(By classmates, I mean the people who entered the same time as you.)
Even if you’re on track (for your own track), you just feel behind.

I took time off from school and it took me a VERY long time to finish.
Of course, there were other factors. But there always are, right?

Best to stay the course (if you can).