<p>I must admit I could have done much better as a high school student. Currently a senior, my overall average is 83.9 (as of now) and my SAT scores are a 560 in Critical reading, 550 in math, and 560 in writing. I had not taken any AP or Honors courses until this year (AP Art History) and had only taken two years of language. To be honest I had relied on many small things to make me standout and get into college, such as being bilingual, having foreign parents, living in a different country for two years, having four extra curriculars, being a dedicated and active member in a year round youth movement (which is volunteer work during the year and a job during the summer,) attending a community service trip to the Lower 9th Ward (leading to being an active participant in yet another youth led organization,) and steadily increasing grades throughout high school (with a current average of 94.) </p>
<p>This year I applied to UMass Amherst, Northeastern, University of Tampa, University at Buffalo, SUNY Purchase, University of Hartford, SUNY New Paltz, and University of New Hampshire. I got accepted to University of Tampa, SUNY Purchase and University of Hartford, and deferred from University of New Hampshire. The only school I would consider going to is SUNY Purchase, but I dont think I would be as happy as I would in some of the other schools I had gotten rejected from. </p>
<p>Having seriously been considering taking a gap year for a while, my college situation has given me a reason to pursue it. I will be taking a year abroad on an international community service trip, where I will also fluently learn the language. I am extremely excited, but I know I also have to keep college on my radar. I plan on re-applying throughout my gap year, but I have many questions that my college mentor couldnt answer, so hopefully some of you here can help me out!
-Can I re-take my SATs ( or ACTs?) I am leaving the country mid-September, so can I take it anytime before then?
-Can I defer from a college without choosing to enroll after my gap year (SUNY Purchase?)
-Will a gap year increase my chances in getting into a college?
-Is there a way to graduate with my class even though I am starting school a year later?
-Can I re-apply to a school I had already been rejected from?
-Do I use recommendations from the gap year program/ summer job? Or should I ask my current teachers for recommendations?
-Will summer college classes (or academic classes I did poorly in in high school) increase my chances of getting into college (is it worth it?)</p>
<p>I am planning on applying to much better schools during my gap year, and although they seem extremely unrealistic, these are some schools on my mind:
-UCLA
-University of Southern California
-Marist
-Skidmore
-Northeastern (I had already been rejected)</p>
<p>If I can re-take my SATs hopefully I get a better score. Apart from the testing, please let me know if you have any college suggestions (I plan on focusing on social sciences) or anyway I can further increase my chances!</p>
<p>Thank you all so much! Sorry this was so long!</p>
<p>PS I know a community college (or a 2 year college) could help, but I would much rather not do that</p>