Hello,
I am currently an international high school graduate, and I have applied to colleges for the fall 2018. I was offered admission to most of the schools I applied to, however I could not accept any, because of the (too) low (for me) financial aid I got. So I wanted to ask - What if I do not enroll in any college, take a gap year, and apply again next year (to same of different institutions)? Is there such a possibility, and can you tell me everything I need to know about it?
Thanks!
Yes, you can take a gap year and try your luck again. It’ll work exactly the same way as your first round of applications.
The question to ask yourself is, why are you expecting a different outcome this time? Maybe you have significantly improved your SAT/ACT scores. Maybe you recently got an impressive award. Maybe you decided to change your application strategy (e.g. to include less selective universities that guarantee sufficient merit scholarships for your SAT/ACT scores).
If nothing has changed, and you intend to apply to a similar set of universities, you should be expecting a similar outcome.
You can’t reapply to the same universities. Youd have to make a different list while working and improving your credentials.
If you have a favorite among the universities that admitted you and its cost is close to what you can afford, you can email that university and explain you’re close but are missing ($3,000), they’re your favorite but you won’t be able to afford it without that gap covered, could they’re examine your credentials an financials and see whether you’d qulify for other aid?
You need to do it today.
@MYOS1634, the OP can reapply to the same universities- it’s just that, as @“b@r!um” pointed out, the results won’t be any better unless something significant has changed.
OP, the key will be to take what you have learned about how scholarships actually work and identify a list of places that are likely to be affordable. There are a lot of posters on CC who can help.
@“b@r!um” @MYOS1634 @collegemom3717 Thank you all for your answers!
The thing is, I had a difficult situation at home last year, and unfortunately I found it too hard to focus enough on the application process at the time. I did apply to some schools, but I had missed the deadlines on some of my top choices, and even to those I applied to, I did not put much effort into the process, because of the whole situation.
I did take the SAT and, given the circumstances, I was really satisfied with the score of 1410 that I got. However, I had only a month to prepare, with all the things happening around me, so I think and hope I may be able to raise my score to around 1500, now when I am able focus, which would be quite competitive.
I also wrote all of my essays, resumes and other writing materials in only a few days. Just by saying that, it is clear how that turned out. I don’t want to say that my essays were bad, I wouldn’t have sent them if I had thought so, but they weren’t anything special - there wasn’t anything that would make me stand out, that would truly show who I am. Especially for the admissions officers, who’ve read at least a quadrillion of similar essays. So I know I could improve my writing, as well, when applying next year.
Additionally, I would not just sit and waste the entire year. Even if I do raise my SAT score, and improve my essays, that is in no way a good reason to take a gap year. I have already started planning what I could do. There are many volunteering-abroad opportunities, which have always attracted me, but because of the school and age, I was unable to apply. These could help me in numerous ways - I could get to know myself better - see how I’ll do in new situations, first time away from home for so long alone. I will meet new people, see new places, get to know different cultures and lifestyles, which I believe can all help me become more mature and more broad-minded - some of the traits necessary to do well in the most revered colleges in the US.
I would really appreciate to hear what you think about this, and I am open for any kind of advice. I know that if I had given my best in the application process this year, my chances would’ve been much better. Unfortunately, a lot of bad things happened at a very bad time, but it’s just how it is. It’s no use crying over spilled milk, as they say, so I need to make the best possible decision at this point. What do you think that would be?
Where are you?
Are you a US citizen or a refugee?
What’s your budget?
Where else did you apply?
All these questions matter.
@MYOS1634 I come from Serbia, so therefore, I am not a US citizen or a refugee. My budget is about 10-15k$ a year (for both school and life costs). For the Fall 2018 I applied to Macalester, Depauw, Knox, CUNY and Earlham.
I think colleges hold onto applications so it may be difficult to get accepted to a college that rejected you unless you have new information that adds to your profile. Getting accepted to the same schools won’t increase their financial aid offers, so I don’t think reapplying to them will help you. If you can afford to travel abroad to participate in volunteer activities, it may be difficult to convince colleges that you need financial aid.
Im in a very similar situation
I think its best to select new schools to apply to and try again
during the gap year maybe do an internship or work