I am about to complete my gap year. I did not defer my acceptance to any schools I got into. Due to a lot of unexpected reasons I have still not applied for the following school year. I would like to attend a competitive university and am aware that my possible two-year break will complicate that. Should I focus on applying to 4-year schools that accept Spring 2020 applications? Or should I plan on attending a community college as soon as possible, maintain a high GPA and network, with the hopes of transferring to a more prestigious school?
Depends on HS GPA and standard tests.
Many colleges only offer scholarships to first year students. If you take community college courses after HS graduation (i.e., not a CAP or dual enrollment class), then you are no longer considered a freshman applicant.
Prestige is overrated and subjective. Also, the Tippy Top colleges have lower rates of admission for transfer students.
There are still colleges accepting applicants for Fall 2019.
Another option to consider is going to a four-year college in the fall and transferring to a “more prestigious” school if you see necessary.
Are you a US applicant or an international applicant?
What did you do so far in your gap year?
What happened this year that prevented you from applying to college?
What would you like to major in when you do go to college?
What was your high school GPA, and your ACT/SAT test scores?
What is your financial situation? How much can your family afford to pay? When you run the Net Price Calculators at the websites of the places that you are interested in, does it look like they can be affordable for your family?
If you take another gap year, how would you use that time? What would you differently so that you do indeed apply to college?
Have you considered applying now for fall admission at any of the places on the NACAC space available list? https://www.nacacnet.org/news–publications/Research/CollegeOpenings/