Remote College Is Still More Valuable Than a Gap Year
Delaying graduation can be costly.
Not what you’re paying for.
Photographer: Patrick Smith/Getty Images
With Covid shuttering many college campuses this fall, as many as one out of five college kids may be considering taking a gap year instead of taking online classes from their mother’s couch. A typical rationale: “I’d rather get a Door Dash job than miss out on my college experience.” It could prove an expensive choice.
Let’s break down the cost of this decision. The deadline is the financial D date — the day in early September that most colleges will let you defer for a year and get your tuition back. To some students and parents, it sounds like a great idea to take a year off, delay some $40,000 in expenses, and just wait for the frat parties and football games to restart.