Enroll to Grad

Here is my situation: I am currently a junior at a top 25 university. I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree and economics, and looking to enroll in a graduate program in urban planning, preferably economic or international development. With AP credits however, I have senior standing and technically can apply for graduation right now but I need to meet my major/minor requirements, which I expect to have after fall semester at the end of this year, and I plan on graduating in december. However, my GPA is less than stellar for graduate school, fluctuating around 3.2-3.3.

Initially, I had been planning apply for and, if accepted, to enroll in graduate school right after I graduate. Now, I am having doubts, because my friends have been telling me that by doing so, I’ll be overwhelmed and feel "burned out." Also, I would have to take the GRE this summer, and I’m not sure I’ll be ready at that point.

The second option is to stay in school for an extra semester and try to take easy intro-level classes to raise my GPA for my grad school application. Unfortunately, that’s not a good option either: 1. It’ll feel like a waste of time because I’m not learning anything productive, since I’ll be in classes just because it’s easy, rather than because it’s interesting or relevant to my goals. 2. It would be a waste of money because I’m not learning anything productive. 3. Grad schools may look at my transcript closer and wonder what was the point of my last semester in college.

A final option, which is a bit more radical, is to spend my last semester studying abroad. I love traveling, particularly international experiences, and studying abroad appeals to me because it’s fun, and I’m interested in studies of international scope. However, I doubt that I will learn anything productive because I feel that studying abroad is a waste of time if you are pursuing a degree in college, as it doesn’t give you the same quality of education as in college, especially if it’s a 4-month long vacation. I believe that it is a mistake to interrupt the most important studies of your life with such an experience while pursuing your degree. But with my degree requirements completed, it may be a choice I would consider, especially because I am certain that I will enjoy the experience, and the cost of one particular program at my school is actually cheaper than a semester’s tuition. This may seem like the best choice, but I still have many concerns that I hope people can address.

1)Is it typical to go studying abroad on their last semester of college? Would such a decision hurt me in any way, especially if employers/grad schools look at my resume/transcript and scrutinize my decision in a negative way? How would they react to this? I know studying abroad is generally perceived as a good experience, but spending my last semester doing it, does it make me look lazy or unproductive in any way to potential employers or graduate programs?

2)What if I’m looking for a job or internship during this semester? They won’t be able to interview me because I’m halfway around the world.

3)What are any other drawbacks or problems that I might face career-wise if I decide to study abroad this semester?

So what should I do with my last semester of college? Enroll in Grad School? Take easy classes to raise my GPA? Or study abroad?

Thank you for your answers.
I will be pursuing a Masters of Urban Planning. (MUP)

You did not tell us the degree you want in grad school or the area you want to study. My answer is most relevant to PhD studies (or a Masters followed by a PhD.)

One thing you have not mentioned: try to work with one or two prof(s) who specializes in an area of research which interests you - take course(s), but try to do a research project with him / her, of work as a research assistant with him/her (most active profs have research grants, tho money may be in short supply in this economy). Do enough work to enable the prof to write a strong letter of recommendation and to find you some contacts. That can overcome a low GPA, especially if your lower grades came in the freshman year of outside your major. Next, ask the prof to recommend you to some good profs in your area of interest, and contact that prof to discuss working with him in grad school. The profs should be capable - some quality publications in your area of interest, and have a reputation on being able to work well with graduate students. Talk to his students. That prof, hopefully, will be able to support your application to study in his department. You would to well to talk to several such profs - usually a prof can only take on a small number of grad students, and is expected to contribute to the student’s financial support through his grant.

Try to increase your GPA before you leave college. That will help.

It may take a while to get into grad school - you might have to work for a year of two, even if your profs think you have a realistic chance of getting in. It might help to work as a research assistant somewhere. But - it you really want to travel, do so, and apply after you get back. Once you have to start meeting the demands of full time work and spouse/family, you may not be able to travel for a longer term until retirement.