<p>So maybe I am overreacting as decision time winds down but here it goes...</p>
<p>Here is my situation: I am a Sophmore at UMass and will be a junior wherever I end up. After this semester I will have 59 Credits (57 should be transferable). </p>
<p>Now, I only applied to 3 schools: USC, NYU, and Georgetown. In hindsight, I should have applied to more, but I realized how much I hated doing applications and I was feeling confident I would get into at least one school. Now I am not so sure... I feel my stats are solid enough to get me into atleast one school, but my essays didn't come out as good as I anticipated, and my recs are probably average. </p>
<p>Anyways, this is not a "chances" thread... because all of that doesn't matter at this point of the process and I am not looking for a confidence boost. Instead I am looking for solid contingency plans if I get rejected from all three schools. Coming back to UMass is not an option. I don't care if "you only have two more years, suck it up." I am not all that happy and satisfied here (for various reasons, ask if you must) and I refuse to spend two years of my life at a place I don't like all that much. Life is too short for that. </p>
<p>So, if I don't get in anywhere would it be wise to sit out the Fall '07 semester and try again for the Spring 2008 admission? Has anyone actually done this? Is it common? I realize the stigma with "dropping out" but I would absolutely be trying to get in somewhere as soon as possible. In the meantime, I would try to find a job in a relevant field (Finance), perhaps take a class or two at a local college (maybe retake Calculus I and II to improve my grades as those are my only non "A" grades), and I would also like to do some traveling abroad. How would colleges see that? Would they think I am a bum for dropping out, or would all of this be explainable and perhaps strengthen me as a candidate?</p>
<p>The reason for all of this is that at 59 credits, this would be my last opportunity to transfer to most schools (many schools have a 60 credit maximum limit). </p>
<p>Hopefully I won't have to worry about all of this and I get in somewhere, but just in case...</p>