Considering a gap year

Applying to College
1

My name is Jack and I’m considering taking a gap year. The reason being is because I didn’t get into my top choice (MIT) and I got deferred from my second choice (UChicago). I have a 34 ACT, 690 Math 2, 680 Math 1, 700 Physics (SAT Subject Tests), a 3.67 UW, 4.15 W GPA. I’m pursuing a degree in physics to be continued with a PhD in effort to become a theoretical physicist. Personally, I would probably blame my essays for my rejection and deferral. As of right now, I am accepted to UIUC LAS James Scholar (UIUC’s honors program) and accepted into Ohio State college of arts and sciences (waiting to hear back from their honors program). I was denied admission from Georgia Tech (I wasn’t going there anyways).

If I were to take a gap year, I would like to spend some time in Germany to improve my German. I would probably live with my old German Exchange student. I would also prepare to take the SAT Subject Tests and really study. I know I could get 800’s if I studied. I would continue to work on my startup company (should be very impressive to colleges).

All of this would be in effort to apply to MIT and UChicago again, and also Stanford and maybe some ivy leagues. I think it would be a really productive year of my life.

I can’t wait to hear everyone’s thoughts and maybe even your experience taking a gap year yourself!

2

Your chances of getting into MIT, Chicago, Stanford, or Ivies will be minimal even with a gap year. Firstly because acceptance odds are at or below 10% even for highly qualified applicants, and secondly because of your GPA. A 3.67 UW is going to be more of a drag on your application than any SAT II score you’ve listed.

If you’d be happy taking the gap year and then attending UIUC or Ohio State anyway, go ahead. If you’re doing this in part to chase schools ranked highly by some arbitrary measure of “prestige,” you should think long and hard about whether you want to spend a year of your life doing so.

3

I am currently on a gap year to audition for MT college programs! I have explained everything- from my decision to take a year off to where I am now. Honestly, I have grown so much, and I could NOT have made a better choice for myself. BEST OF LUCK! Please check out what I said in my forum!
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1867481-gap-year-from-high-school-to-college-to-audition-for-mt-schools-my-experience.html?new=1