<p>I am really sorry for how this worked out for you.....Goucher is an excellent school and I'll bet you'd thrive there. The Ivies aren't everything. Good luck.</p>
<p>I strongly agree with the people who've encouraged you to apply to places like Pitt and Goucher that might still admit you for this fall, instead of taking a gap year and gambling on what I see as the very risky hope that with the still-identical high school transcript, you might get into a school "better" than Pitt or Goucher. Both of which are excellent schools where you are quite likely to be as happy as wherever you would end up if you waited a year. And if you did this now, it would be as if this unfortunate thing (for which I also, in part, fault your GC) never happened to you. And the process would be over, and you wouldn't have to brood about it for the next year. Don't underestimate the importance of peace of mind!</p>
<p>My son (who's going to the U of Chicago, with SAT scores that were actually slightly below yours) strongly considered applying to Goucher as his second safety school, in addition to Rutgers and the Honors program there. And he would have been happy to go there, because I stressed to him that he should <em>only</em> consider applying places where he'd be happy to go. In the end, he applied to Sarah Lawrence instead, but only because it's where my mother went.</p>
<p>The very best of luck to you, and please keep us posted.</p>
<p>I firmly believe that you will do well wherever you end up. You have demonstrated a maturity NOT possessed by many of the students I know who are your age. If I were a college admissions counselor (which I WAS once upon a time, BTW), and if you contacted me & showed me this maturity, I would definitely take a chance on you. Forget the name brand schools for now. Find a school that wants you & "bloom where you are planted," as another poster suggested. Grad school is almost a necessity these days, and you will be able to attend one of the schools you really want to attend for grad school --- if you do well in undergrad --- and it really does not matter if it is not a name brand undergrad program.</p>
<p>My best wishes to you. I really think you will do well.</p>
<p>Here's another recommendation to pursue, hard, Pitt. Especially in the sciences, Pitt is quite acclaimed. I am sorry BC didn't go your way, but in the end, I believe that everything happens for a reason.</p>
<p>Maybe your destiny all along was to do CityYear or be at Pitt...to find your calling or the love of your life--who knows. I do think that CityYear or another university would be a better route rather than cc. Sometimes those hours earned can jeopardize a "freshman" standing when reapplying to colleges later.</p>
<p>I also agree that your ability to look back on the situation is very mature--this will serve you well. Please do keep us posted on what happens next.</p>
<p>I wish you all the luck in the world.</p>
<p>The Pitt application is complete! (it has been for some time now) I just need the recommendations to be completed as well as my transcripts sent. My GC doesn't seem to be reading her emails now a days..</p>
<p>If I were to commit to the City Year program, it wouldn't be possible to continue the summer research I had done (too far). The typical day in City Year is from 8am to 6:30 pm, so I would most likely self study some APs (I'm thinking perhaps psychology and world history, even if I were to go to Pitt. Are there any topics that tend to be easier to study?)</p>
<p>I think it's a much better idea to go to college this fall than do City Year. Pitt seems like a great option because you qualify for the honors college, maybe not first term, but eventually. You should probably continue to fill out applications until you have an acceptance, it's getting pretty late in the game. UMaryland, Goucher and The College of Wooster (which is in Eastern Ohio) ought to be serious on your list. Lot's of Virginia schools also. </p>
<p>I'm cutting and pasting one of my earlier posts </p>
<p>There are still many decent options on the NACAC list</p>
<p>University of Maryland (US News National Universities 54)
University of Pittsburgh (US News National Universities 59)
University of Arizona (US News National Universities 96)
Drexel University (US News National Universities 108)
University of Dayton (US News National Universities 112)
Arizona State (US News National Universities 124)
New Jersey Institute of Technology (US News National Universities 124)
Michigan Technological University (US News National Universities 124)</p>
<p>Note (CTCL) is "Colleges That Change Lives" by Lauren Pope</p>
<p>College of Wooster (OH) (US News Liberal Arts 71) (CTCL)
Gustavus Adolphus College (MN) (2007 US News Liberal Arts 79, 2008 unranked because SAT optional, won't cooperate with US News)
Millsaps College (MS) (US News Liberal Arts 87) (CTCL)
Goucher College (MD) (US News Liberal Arts 91) (CTCL)
Randolph College (VA) (US News Liberal Arts 91)
Lake Forest College (IL) (US News Liberal Arts 97)
Hollins College (VA) (US News Liberal Arts 97)
Coe College (IA) (US News Liberal Arts 106)
Susquehanna University (PA) (US News Liberal Arts 106)
Albion College (MI) (US News Liberal Arts 116)
Linfield College (OR) (US News Liberal Arts 122)</p>
<p>Other Colleges that Change Lives (CTCL)
Eckerd College (FL)
Evergreen State College (WA)
Lynchburg College (VA)
Marlboro College (VT)
Emory and Henry College (VA)
Hiram College (OH)</p>
<p>Other notable schools (I've heard of)</p>
<p>College of the Atlantic (ME)
University of the Ozarks (AR)
Truman State University, Public Liberal Arts College (Mid 50% CR 570-690, M 560-670)
New Mexico
SUNY Purchase
Rochester Institute of Technology
St. Johns University
University of Maryland Baltimore County</p>
<p>Another option with a July 1 deadline is
University of Edinburgh Freshman Year Abroad program
Introduction</a> | Freshman year abroad | Visiting and Exchange students</p>
<p>I can't encourage you strongly enough to CALL your guidance office for transcripts and recommendations- don't depend on email at this stage of the game!</p>
<p>Another thought is to get a copy of your transcript for yourself. Your GC will be going on vacation shortly if not already. You may be able to fax your copy of the transcript and colleges may make a decision conditional on receiving official confirmation of your transcript when your GC returns before the fall term. It would really stink if you can't apply to more schools because your GC is gone for the summer and there is nobody in the office!</p>
<p>I second all the advice on this thread about opting for college over City Year. City Year is a fantastic program, but you seem lukewarm about it--and focused on it only because you did not get into "top" schools. ClassicRockerDad just gave you an amazing list!</p>
<p>Re your transcript: Call the school, or better yet, VISIT the office. Do NOT rely on e-mail. Though the counselor may not be there, office staff will be available, possibly including the principal or assistant principal. You don't need the GC to get a copy of your transcript. Be sure you communicate the urgency of the situation and your sincerity about wanting to find a college for this fall.</p>
<p>Pitt, as many of us have pointed out, is a fabulous option for you.</p>
<p>I also urge you to get your required materials together and take them to the office in person. Try to line up an appointment with an Admissions person to make your case and to see that they receive the materials.</p>
<p>One thing my two college aged kids often do is assume that because they've asked for things (transcripts, recs, etc), that everything will be done, on time. </p>
<p>They've both learned the hard way that people generally mean well, but don't always follow through. Requests get lost in the shuffle, folks go on vacation, the computer system crashes.....
D nearly lost out on an important grad school interview; S did lose out on a housing option to be with friends due to paperwork mis-steps.</p>
<p>Make NO assumptions that all this will come together. Actively call people and get the stuff in YOUR hands. If a personal visit isn't possible, at the very least, send all documentation via Fedex or UPS overnight so you can track it. </p>
<p>Once you send it, don't assume it was received and is in process. Call. Confirm. Take names of people you've spoken with so you have a record of information.</p>
<p>Things tend to go wrong at the worst times. Do everything you can to insure they don't.</p>
<p>I can't wait to hear what happens! Good luck.</p>
<p>I visited my school this morning but my GC wasn't in, however I did receive an email response. She said she was going in tomorrow to send my transcript out. Now all I need is to get a hold of JHU. </p>
<p>My other recommendation has been in touch, but I'm not sure how far along she is. I'll call her tomorrow to check up.</p>
<p>However, I did get a call from City Year informing me of my acceptance!! I have two weeks to decide.</p>
<p>I'll admit to skimming - would your potential job at City Year be something that would help you in next year's admissions pool?
There are lots of parents on this board who would vote for taking the time to re-examine. If you want to hear the other side, post a new thread "City Year or ______ college" None of mine did it, but I kind of wish they had. More maturity and focus when you get to campus is a huge plus.
I know kids who did a gap year who got into colleges they didn't the first time around. Whatever you decide, being selected for City Year is great. See, you are a worthwhile individual even if certain schools missed out on that fact!</p>
<p>Congratulations on the City Year acceptance. Excellent.</p>
<p>I really have no idea which is the best option for you - one of the colleges you're now considering or the City Year; but very glad you will have the choices.</p>