Anonymous wrote:Most desirable colleges aren’t just going to let people defer or take a semester off. There are too many other kids that would happily pay for those spots and the colleges are going to need that money to retain their staff. I expect that if fall is online, those who don’t want to take classes online may lose their spot. They can’t just deny spaces to the class of 2021 to accommodate the class of 2020.

+1. Unless your child has extenuating circumstances, I would expect their options to be to attend or withdraw.

Anonymous wrote:Have you weighed the annoyance of a semester online against the lost future income of entering the workforce 6 months later?

Not the OP, but yes.

I want my kid to get from college what he is supposed to get from college, and I don't think the on-line time is helping him with what he needs. So graduating a bit later might mean a better package when he applies for jobs. YMMV.

People, OP mentions that her child is a rising junior (presumably in college). That means the student will graduate in 22 or 23 (if time is taken off). OP, I really understand your concerns. You'll have to talk to the college or have DD talk to the college. Come up with a concrete project your DD can work on during time off. The problem is that most colleges can't afford to let a large percentage of their students take time off. Perhaps, though, if your DD's college usually has a significant percentage of juniors study abroad and now they can't, they will want some students to take a semester/year off. Win-win

Most desirable colleges aren’t just going to let people defer or take a semester off. There are too many other kids that would happily pay for those spots and the colleges are going to need that money to retain their staff. I expect that if fall is online, those who don’t want to take classes online may lose their spot. They can’t just deny spaces to the class of 2021 to accommodate the class of 2020.

Have you or your child signed a lease for an apartment? You won't be able to break a lease. If your child is in the dorm, the college may not be able to accommodate them 2nd semester. Make your decision knowing all the facts.

Anonymous wrote:More time after Covid could equal a better, more recovered economy. Time is not money right now.

Time is always money. There is an opportunity cost for everything.

Anonymous wrote:More time after Covid could equal a better, more recovered economy. Time is not money right now.

We're talking 2024 vs 2025. Or, doing nothing (most likely outcome) for a semester vs taking classes online. Doing nothing = economic net cost. Taking classes = adding value.

But wonderfully, some people get to make their own choice in the matter.

My thought for OP would be whether they might consider a cheaper school for all four years, if the teaching at the expensive school isn't worth tuition in the online format.

More time after Covid could equal a better, more recovered economy. Time is not money right now.

Anonymous wrote:Have you weighed the annoyance of a semester online against the lost future income of entering the workforce 6 months later?

+1. That is a cost that should be considered. Time is money.

Have you weighed the annoyance of a semester online against the lost future income of entering the workforce 6 months later?

What is the big difference?

Then don’t. Good luck to your child.

These are hard times. A lot of people are sacrificing. If this is not something you can or want to do, then don’t. Just make sure you kids understand that may
Mean a different school.

What is your DD's opinion on all this? Does she want to graduate later? or would she take online classes elsewhere in the fall to keep moving forward?

Check the college's website about possibilities like a leave of absence. Also check what types of other institutions it might be willing to take transfer credit from - often community colleges are excluded.

<<I’m sure I’m not the only one thinking this. >>

Bingo.

Please scroll down this forum. It has been discussed ad naseum.

DD is a rising junior. We can’t really see spending huge amounts of money on tuition if fall classes are online. Would rather have kid take off the semester. I’m sure I’m not the only one thinking this. Do you think colleges will allow existing students to take off a semester?