Online Classes vs. Gap Year (or a semester)

I'm a rising second-year at a target in the Northeast and am an international student who won't be able to go back on campus due to travel restrictions. I was initially planning on applying to sophomore BB programs but looks like I won't be able to do these because of work authorization restrictions anyway if I did online classes in the fall.

Between a gap year/semester and taking online classes, which one would be best? I'm thinking if I do online classes I'd lose out on my chance to get a solid American internship my sophomore summer, and if I opt for a gap year I'd get a chance to recruit fully. Not sure what I'd do during the gap semester/year but I was thinking of working on a few personal projects (non-finance related) or getting a local internship.

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Sophomore BB internships are so few and far between, especially for a (non diversity?) international student who will need sponsorship. Even at a target you're aiming at very few slots. I wouldn't take a gap year just for the opportunity to recruit for that. Realistically, there's a 90% chance you won't land a soph BB role and then you'll be an extra year behind for no reason.

Junior year internship matters 100x as much and there's more options for international students. Save your gap year for this if you strike out or if the travel issues continue.

You could potentially work your online class schedule around a part-time internship and then intern in your home country sophomore summer... 2 internships even internationally is impressive, and people understand the current restrictions so it's not the end of the world if your internship isn't American. Go all in on recruiting for junior year in ~8 months time and you should be fine.

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