<p>Hi everyone.
If I got rejected this year by say, Harvard and MIT because my ECs weren't good enough and I take a gap year instead of going to any other college and do a lot of community work, internships, etc in that gap year, would I have a good chance of being admitted (i.e. to Harv. and MIT) next year?
Do respond. Thanks.</p>
<p>No, top colleges will look for commitment over a four year span, not just a gap year.</p>
<p>Oh. That’s not good news.</p>
<p>Why would a gap year where he gets work experience be a bad thing? </p>
<p>I dont know how it is in USA but in Sweden most of the students that goes to college/university takes a gap year to travel or to work.
Actually many of the bigger universities encourages this because the motivation to study is quite low after a decade in school. </p>
<p>But then again the only thing that matters when we apply for college/university is the grades.</p>
<p>Probably not. That level of school is looking for sustained accomplishment in one of your passions over several years.</p>
<p>It’s also pretty much impossible to say you did not get into one of those schools because of ECs. Most with perfect stats and impressive ECs do not get in. The problem is an under 4% (Harvard) admit rate for unhooked students. That makes the whole process complex and most qualified students will never make it in their doors.</p>