<p>Question: ... I’m considering just taking a gap year and getting right back into college after working during the year. Would I just reapply for the next year with my high school records? ...</p>
<p>WHAT DID "THE DEAN" SAY?</p>
<p>See <a href="http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/advice-for-applications-after-gap-year.htm">http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/advice-for-applications-after-gap-year.htm</a> </p>
<p>Hi Sally, </p>
<p>Here’s my thread from months ago (<a href=“Reapplying with a Green Card (Permanent-Resident Status) - Applying to College - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1632651-reapplying-with-a-green-card-permanent-resident-status.html</a>)</p>
<p>From the adcoms’ perspective, would the status change equivalent to mine enhance my chances of admission significantly? Also, would the letter explaining what I did over the year be a necessity since the primary reason for the gap year is due to status change?</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Some of the Ivies are need-conscious for international students (i.e., Brown, Penn, Columbia) so if you were to reapply to one of those, your verdict MIGHT change now that you hold a Green Card. If you were denied by a need-BLIND college, your change of status should not have an effect on your admission decision.</p>
<p>As was already suggested to you in the previous thread, take advantage of your new Green Card and apply to colleges that are generous with financial aid since you no longer have to worry about the very limited aid that is available to international students. Don’t limit your revised list to just Ivies and make sure that your list includes a range of admission risk … Reach, Realistic, and Safe.</p>
<p>I don’t know what your nationality is, but do keep in mind that some countries are 'overrepresented" in many “elite college” applicant pools (India, China, Korea are usually the places that turn up the most) so you could be at a disadvantage if your nationality is among these, even as a U.S. Permanent Resident.</p>
<p>And, yes, colleges will most definitely want to know what you did with your gap year. You can certainly explain that your primary reason for taking it was to wait for your Green Card. But, nonetheless, the college folks will expect you to have done something worthwhile besides filling out applications, re-taking standardized tests, and perhaps stalking the mailman. ;-)</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you for the quick response!</p>
<p>Couple more questions for you:</p>
<ol>
<li>Do the adcoms differentiate between the Green Card Holders and US Citizens? If so, how?</li>
<li>You said that the change of status should not have an effect on the admission decision for need-blind colleges. I did, however, apply previously without the intention of financial aid as an international student. How does this come into play?</li>
<li>How can I tell the adcoms how I spent the gap-year effectively? Via mail, LOR from my supervisor, etc?</li>
</ol>
<p>Thank you so much!</p>
<ol>
<li><p>No, there will be no differentiation between one status and the other.</p></li>
<li><p>You can use your main application essay or a supplemental essay or a letter. Asking a supervisor for a recommendation can be helpful, too, but you still need to explain what you did for your year off and not just rely on a recommendation to cover it. </p></li>
</ol>