Thank you, dec51995. The biggest reason I want to go there is because of just how close I was to going all the way!
It is like when you’re promised a toy but the promise is taken back. Now you are left to want the toy even more. Strange analogy, but anyway!
You are correct in that I can do something in the gap year: apply for internships, learn Spanish, get super fit, etc. I’m starting to look on the bright side of it. But still, I haven’t given up and am currently NOT willing to wait another year and apply again with the chance of rejection. If this was a guaranteed acceptance for next year, then at least it would not be so bad.