<p>Should I get rejected (and that is a strong possibility) from all 5 colleges to which I am applying, I won't be going to college in the fall. Anyone else going to sit out a year and do something meaningful, different and possibly improve yourself and try again?</p>
<p>If I don't get in anywhere I am applying to an open enrollment rolling admissions school.</p>
<p>A bunch of my friends from schools are taking gap years. One is going to Brazil, a couple to Africa, a couple to Asia. Something like that might be interesting.</p>
<p>Would the OP really rather not go to college than find a safety?</p>
<p>Actually, yes. Education presents itself in many forms and OP would rather take advantage of those 'other' opportunities rather than spend mom's money on a school that is not right for me. Just like Harvard is not 'right' for me, nor or any safeties I have come across. It's not a prestige thing or anything - good fit, that's all.</p>
<p>Worldshopper, it's still December...what real harm is it to apply to safety schools???</p>
<p>KingJames: I was just unable to find any safety schools that felt 'right'. You know that saying..."Love your safety", well I was unable to find one I loved.</p>
<p>I'll get a full-time job if I'm rejected or don't have enough money/financial aid to attend anywhere.</p>
<p>I'd sooner not go to college at all than go to my one safety. I don't know what I'll do if I can't afford any of the other schools I'm applying to.</p>
<p>how can you be so sure a school isn't "right" for you at this point. Just visiting it once or twice isn't really enough support to make such a rash conclusion.</p>
<p>I spent five weeks at my safety school during a summer program a couple months ago. I lived in the dorms, ate the food, and took classes there. The really neat people I met in the program (who all shared my lowly opinion of the school) formed the only obstacle that stopped me from packing and going home early.</p>
<p>perhaps find a different safety?</p>
<p>I can't find one that doesn't sound exactly like my current safety. All of the flagship state Us sound the same (not talking about UCs or UMichigan though). They're all huge, mediocre, and oriented towards sports more than academics. BTW, when I say safety I mean financial and admissions safety, rather than just admissions safety. $$$ = big problem for me.</p>
<p>hmm. maybe find a state school that is smaller and more like a LAC or somthing?</p>
<p>jcr: Visiting the school, the size, location, academics, student activities -- ya just kinda "know". Nothing is feeling warm and fuzzy. That is why our divorce rate is so high, people tend to jump into things even though they "know" it's not a right fit, thinking that after they are 'there', things will change. That is why it is important to really love your safety so if all things fall through, you end up at a great school anyway although it was not your first, second or third choice.</p>
<p>I posted this on another thread and stated my back-up plan should I get rejected from all 5 colleges and it really isn't too bad:</p>
<p>Work 2 jobs for 6 months and prep for my SATs, after that return to Guatemala. My No. 2 passion is Latin American culture and I also plan to major in Latin American Studies so I will definitely be doing what I love. I also have an organization that helps Guatemalan children and I can devote more time to it. After that, come back to the states and re-apply to all 5 colleges. If I get rejected from them again, I do the whole thing over again.</p>
<p>What is so unique about these five colleges that not getting into one means putting off your education not just for one year, but year after year? Which schools are they, and why are they so rare no other will ever do?</p>
<p>If you don't get in a second time I'd recommend sacrificing and going somewhere else...</p>
<p>Not a possibility for me. I am already accepted at a school I would happily attend. :)</p>
<p>You know those obnoxious people who won't take "no" for an answer and continue to work for what they want dispite the obstacles, odds, whatever ... I'm one of them.</p>