Would a gap semester/ leave of absence be a red flag?

[mmssjj]

I am in my second semester of my junior year. So far I have kept my gpa 3:96. However, recently my mother suffered from stroke and she lost some mobility. I will be taking care of my mother and my younger brother because we have no family in this country. In this circumstance, I am considering a leave of absence for this semester so that my mother gets some mobility back over time and lessen some of my duties. Basically, I will have to take my mother to doctors and therapy, take care of household chores, and take 17 credits of difficult prereqs (biochem, physics 2). I would have to commute three hours daily to get to school as well. I believe this would hurt my gpa greatly and also hurt my mother’s progress. That’s why I am considering a leave of absence so that by the time of fall semester, I can figure something out with my mother if she doesn’t gain her mobility back.
However, I am worried this leave of absence would look negative on my application and I might lose the continuity and habit of studying due to a gap semester.
Please advise. I am a first gen without any support or advice. I would appreciate any insight. Thanks

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[Goro]

Of course not! Very sorry to hear about your mom, go and take care of her, and yourself.

 

[LindaAccepted]

I am in my second semester of my junior year. So far I have kept my gpa 3:96. However, recently my mother suffered from stroke and she lost some mobility. I will be taking care of my mother and my younger brother because we have no family in this country. In this circumstance, I am considering a leave of absence for this semester so that my mother gets some mobility back over time and lessen some of my duties. Basically, I will have to take my mother to doctors and therapy, take care of household chores, and take 17 credits of difficult prereqs (biochem, physics 2). I would have to commute three hours daily to get to school as well. I believe this would hurt my gpa greatly and also hurt my mother’s progress. That’s why I am considering a leave of absence so that by the time of fall semester, I can figure something out with my mother if she doesn’t gain her mobility back.
However, I am worried this leave of absence would look negative on my application and I might lose the continuity and habit of studying due to a gap semester.
Please advise. I am a first gen without any support or advice. I would appreciate any insight. Thanks

Taking a leave of absence is smart in your circumstances. Schools will admire what you're doing if it comes up.

Wishing your mother a complete and speedy recovery.

 

[LunaOri]

Taking a leave of absence to care for an ailing family member would be considered a sign of maturity, not a red flag.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Agreed. This is a proper circumstance for a LOA.