<p>So I got accepted to BU, Dickinson, Lehigh, Pitt Honors, and Emory this year and I'm having a hard time seeing any but Emory as a great "fit" (which is also the most expensive). My dad just got laid off and our EFC was based on last year's tax returns which include his past income...this has proven to be problematic with our financial aid packages...my parents say they can only contribute 10K at the most right now and even if I used my savings from my job this year and what I expect to earn this summer by nannying M-F and bussing Friday nights and on weekends, I'd still have to take out at least 5K-10K in loans for these schools, even Dickinson that gave me a large merit scholarship. I'm the oldest of four and my parents also support my grandma...it seems really irresponsible to take out large loans or to have my parents scrap up money they simply don't have right now. </p>
<p>I was hoping to ask these schools to allow me to reapply next year on my gap year hoping that 1) I would make a significant amount of money and that 2) Our EFC would be more accurate/much lower or my dad would find another job by then. I also would take some SATIIs to boost up my application. During my gap year I was planning to do CityYear or Americorps (I have my interview next week). I would reapply to BU, Dickinson, Lehigh, Pitt Honors, and Emory and add a few other schools that I found AFTER deadlines that I saw as potential great fits. Could I get into any of these schools with my stats + a gap year of work/national service? I took an all AP/Honors schedule. I haven't had a lunch period throughout high school, I've had morning and after school independent classes since 10th grade. I doubled up in AP/honors science classes and also in Honors Math classes (no AP available) junior and senior year. Do you think I'd be able to regain admission/scholarships again to Lehigh, Dickinson, BU, Pitt Honors, and Emory?</p>
<p>Bryn Mawr College, Smith College, Grinnell College, Colorado College, Occidental College, Pitzer College, Whitman College, Penn State, Boston College</p>
<p>Class Rank: 2/78
Weighted QPA: 97.6%
Unweighted QPA: 92.1%
SATI: 2030 (CR 660, M 700, WR 670)</p>
<p>Activities:
Key Club (9-12), Treasurer 11, President 12...Distinguished Officer 11-12
Senior Class President
Junior Class President
Marching Band (9-12), Drum Major 11-12
Musical (9-12), Lead 10, Lead 12
Spanish Club (9, 10, 12), Vice President 10
Orchestra (9-12), Concertmistress (10-12), Honors Orchestra (11), Districts (9-12), Regionals (11)
National Honor Society (11-12), Vice President 12
Jazz Band (9-12)
Cross Country (9-11), Captain 11
Track (9-10)</p>
<p>Work Experience:
Starbucks (25hrs/week) 11
Panera (40hr/week) summer 11
Restaurant (25hrs/week) 12</p>
<p>Awards:
Outliers Award (School Award)
Student of the Month (District Award)
Distinguished Key Club Treasurer (State Award)
Distinguished Key Club President (State Award)
(POTENTIAL Gene Kelly Nomination <em>fingerscrossed</em> (Region Award))</p>