<p>I sent you a PM.</p>
<p>I called Wellesley to find out what happened, and the financial aid officer I spoke to essentially said that she has no idea why the other schools gave me so much money (!). She promised to look over the forms and call me back next week, but based on her attitude I won't get my hopes up until I have the numbers. </p>
<p>I've also realized that I was probably more disappointed about being rejected by the University of Chicago than I thought. Even though I tried very hard not to rank my colleges before decisions, Chicago was pretty much my second choice, and I thought I was pretty competitive there as well as a good fit in terms of personality. :( I've been reading the posts in the Dartmouth '11 Facebook group hoping to connect with someone, but, er, (and I really hate to reinforce the stereotype here, because I disregarded it when I applied and really didn't think it'd be an issue) many of the prospective students seem sort of unreasonably preoccupied with sports and beer kegs. mini can attest from previous debate that I'm not a teetotaler ;), but I really have no interest in cheap beer and rowdy parties, and that worries me. I don't know how seriously I should take that.</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, I also called Bryn Mawr's admissions office. It seems as if the only requirement for taking a year off is to explain how I'm going to spend it followed by an update in October or November, which seems reasonable enough. I'll keep that in mind in case I do decide to follow through with this.</p>
<p>I have until May 1 to make a decision, so I might actually try to plan a gap year to see if I can come up with something interesting, affordable, and worthwhile to do during that time. Along the lines of what Alumother said, in addition to whatever work and/or volunteering I'd be doing, I would also work on improving my art portfolio, maybe even including some paintings and/or graphic design with my photography. I actually think it could be wonderful, but I'll have to be extremely disciplined in the coming month if I'm going to make it work.</p>
<p>I'll do some more research and maybe brainstorm with my dad when he comes home from work tonight (my mom is working in Geneva, of all places). I'll keep you updated. :)</p>
<p>Hmmm...I don't like to say don't or can't, but I would strongly suggest that you try to move on from Princeton and not reapply next year. It seems to me that, while it may have theorhetically happened in the past, the likelihood of being admitted is as close to zero as to make it not worthwhile. Believe me when I say that I really wanted to go to Princeton and was...numb...when I was rejected. However, I think the longer you hold on to a dream that is essentially dead, the worse and worse off you will be.</p>
<p>Gap year or no, that's your decision, and while you should certainly take the time to think about it, it doesn't seem that Dartmouth is really where you would like to be.</p>
<p>I agree. My recommendation isn't bcause Princeton didn't accept you this year. My recommendation is because I think you are one of those people who will really benefit from a gap year - emotionally more than per se intellectually.</p>
<p>I forget which poster recommends the 'gut' check test but clearly, Dartmouth and BM are failing your gut check test. </p>
<p>Take a Gap Year. Find a madventurer program that you like and figure out how much money you need to send yourself in August. Then start working 60 hours a week to earn that money. Tip: high dollar per hour jobs ONLY. Come home, write your new apps and then earn a bit more money over Christmas to send yourself somewhere else--or apply for an internship in a country you want to visit. Don't worry about the age thing. It's not as big an impact as you think.</p>
<p>Write to mad and ask them about vegen. You won't be the first vegen they've had on their trips.</p>
<p>Consdier TEACHING experiences for your GAP year. Princeton prides itself as the university that trains teachers.</p>
<p>I'm not crazy about the nannying thing unless you are going to nanny in Shanghai or something. If you do decide to nanny--look for a family with one or two OLDER children. Less work, fewere hours.</p>
<p>cheers, thanks for your perspective. :) I'm not seriously considering the au pair option right now because it really isn't that different to my current situation: a sheltered, privileged lifestyle dictated by routine with no real sense of "making a difference" (because I am an idealist and trying to stay that way). My visa to the US expires in August, so I might actually have time to save up enough money for a trip before it even becomes an issue. I've been looking for summer jobs here in DC for the past few weeks; one of my friends has been working at Whole Foods during the school year, and their wages are pretty generous ($10-15/hour -- my physically and mentally demanding camp job paid $6.15! :eek:), and there are many other places I can look into further. Another benefit of going on a volunteer trip in the fall is that I'll be eligible for many more jobs and internships in the spring after I've turned eighteen. (I'm really just thinking "aloud" at this point, in case any of this sounds rash...) </p>
<p>I haven't decided anything for sure yet, but I'm feeling much more positive about my options than I did earlier.</p>
<p>I took a gap year before enrolling in Amherst, and I know what it's like to travel as a strict vegetarian. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help. My gap year was wonderful, and I'd recommend you take one as well.</p>
<p>Can someone please tell me what options there are for a gap year? If my daughter were to consider it, I would want her time to be as productive as possible, and even fun. I would not want her spending the next year in a local retail store, which I don't think would really benefit her that much. Is there a website that talks about different travel/work/volunteer opportunities that would be safe for a 17 year old female who doesn't have a ton of money to blow, but loves Europe? thanks.</p>
<p>A gap year would be great, but I would like to see you (or any kid in your situation) do something productive, whether it is volunteering, or teaching, or learning, but not merely traveling as a tourist, or working as an au pair (not that there's anything wrong with that) or doing menial work. There will be plenty of opportunities for menial work after you get your ivy league degree in classics!! :D</p>
<p>LOL, so true. What about if the menial work is to finance a volunteer project? :D</p>
<p>Does your visa permit you to work in the US? Might that not be an issue for you after August. The Au Pair option does virtually nothing for your 'resume' (unless you have a profound interest in the lives of young children or end up writing a book about your experiences) but you can get an Au Pair visa. </p>
<p>I would suggest you NOT make any decisions until you absolutely have to. Put the gap year consideration off the table at the moment and answer one question.</p>
<p>Of the terrific schools currently on the table, which one do I love the most and can most see myself attending. (not which school gives the easiest gap year options). Really, truly, this is what you have to do now.</p>
<p>Once you have honestly and truly done that, go ahead and examine the gap year question again. Right now you are disappointed and a little bit in shock (my guess) but if you put the energy into it, maybe one of the schools on your list will seem like 'the one'--- and then you can feel really positive about going into a gap year consideration for the right reason (for yourself) rather than the wrong or improbable reason (for Princeton).</p>
<p>I've eliminated the au pair option because I doubt it would accomplish very much or be terribly interesting. If I were to take a year off, I would probably do what I described in post #26: earn as much money as possible during the summer to finance a volunteer project abroad in the fall, apply to a few colleges, and do something else (not yet determined) in the spring. Volunteering abroad something I've wanted to do for a long time, but I'd never ask my parents for the money to do it.</p>
<p>I am not considering a gap year so that I can reapply to Princeton. However, *if I were to take a gap year<a href="for%20any%20of%20the%20reasons%20I%20listed%20in%20my%20original%20post,%20or%20any%20that%20I%20didn't%20mention">/i</a>, I would reapply to Princeton. I think there's a significant difference.</p>
<p>Wait a week - or at least over the weekend - before you consciously think of this anymore. At all. Don't even think about it. Just live the weekend/week.</p>
<p>Then, see what you feel like pursuing.</p>
<p><em>I'm a gut check person.</em></p>
<p>I think Jmmom's idea is good. Spend a few days not thinking about this, and see where you are then. Don't get too caught up too soon. It has only been a day since you got your decisions, remember.</p>
<p>For the record, I did not have a "gut" feeling when I sent in my deposit for my college, and I was very nervous about my decision all spring and summer (though I tried to hide it). I love my school, and I'm confident that it was the right decision.</p>
<p>Camelia, I sent you a PM.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I am not considering a gap year so that I can reapply to Princeton. However, if I were to take a gap year (for any of the reasons I listed in my original post, or any that I didn't mention), I would reapply to Princeton. I think there's a significant difference.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Camelia, you have listed plenty of reasons for taking a gap year, including many valid ones. However, no matter how much you deny it tonight all seems to revolve around the rejections by Princeton or Chicago. </p>
<p>Are you prepared to play games with Dartmouth for an extremely hypothetical chance in New Jersey? Since you correctly highlighted the definition of a gap year at Dartmouth, you know that the deferred enrollment precludes you from applying anywhere else.</p>
<p>My "advice" would be to let the sting heal a bit, and sleep over it for a few weeks. You may find the acceptance to a wonderful school such as Dartmouth to be a great antidote to today's grief. Another suggestion would be to contact the Dartmouth student who has adorned many CC Cafe discussions with her ultra sharp pen, wit, and occasional claws. She may tell you how much more than kegs and sports Dartmouth really is.</p>
<p>Great idea xiggi. cam, you should pm Dorothy Parker. If anyone is living an alternative lifesytle up at Dartmouth--she is. Sybbie's D too. PM sybbie and ask her how an intl kid would fare at Dartmouth.</p>
<p>I thinnk you've come up with some interesting choices for yourself--
For one thing, I would wait to hear from those last three wonderful schools.
Have you visited all the schools that you'd seriously consider attending? You could do a New England loop and see Dartmouth, Amherst and esp. Middlebury (if you enjoy cold winters).<br>
I agree with those who aren't keen on the au pair idea. It sounds sort of dead-end, and could end up feeling a bit stagnant.
I love the idea of volunteering for an animal or human rights group -- something I doubt you'd ever regret. There's also the option of heading abroad at pretty much any of the schools on your list. Good luck!</p>
<p>This is going to sound dramatic with two prefixes (over- and melo-), but I honestly feel like the biggest fraud ever. Everyone's been so incredibly encouraging and positive, and now I've just exposed myself to be not just unworthy of admission (and, by extension, of the incredible praise and support over on the Princeton board), but ungrateful, desperate, and delusional as well. I can't believe so many people here liked me so much when I don't even like me right now. I realize that's a ridiculous thing to say, but that's really how I feel. :(</p>
<p>I'm so touched by everything, and I'm honestly not trying to be manipulative by posting this, but I really don't feel as if I deserve any of it.</p>
<p>I should probably stop posting here for a while.</p>
<p>Darn, Camelia, don't be so hard on yourself, and don't feel so sad. Focus on the positives ... </p>
<p>
[quote]
Dartmouth</p>
<p>With over 14,000 applicants to the class of 2011, Dartmouth posted a record low acceptance rate of 15 percent, accepting only 2,165 applicants.
With a two percent increase in applicants over last year and a 20 percent increase in the last five years, the applicant pool for the Class of 2011 is the largest in College history.</p>
<p>In December, 308 students were accepted to the College from an early decision pool of 1,285 applicants, yielding a 24 percent acceptance rate.
One measure of the academic strength of the pool its SAT averages. This year's average math and verbal scores were 726 and 723 respectively, which are comparable to previous years. Furstenberg noted that the new writing section on the SATs are not given as much emphasis during the acceptance process because the College is unsure of how this section reflects intelligence. </p>
<p>Also of note, 37.2 percent of students were valedictorians of their high schools, and a record 94.4 percent were ranked in the top 10 percent of their class, up from 93.1 percent last year.
[/quote]
</p>