<p>I was recently waitlisted at my first choice school. It was surprising and a hardblow considering that my best friend with lower stats got her acceptance on the same day. </p>
<p>This rejection got me thinking about taking a gap year. I recently returned from a 10 trip to England, France, and Italy with my AP Euro class, which has definitely added fuel to the fire. I absolutely fell in love with Italy and wish to study abroad there during and after college. </p>
<p>I would like to take a gap year and live in Italy and then try reapplying to a few schools but here are the problems:
1. I don't speak Italian....but it is a language I would love to learn.
2. My parents are poor...I got huge scholarships from low tier schools like Gonzaga and University of Puget Sound and I would feel bad if this gap year cost a lot more than my attendance at one of those schools.
3. It's a little late to start planning this kind of thing.
4. Finally, I'm an only child. I'm a girl. My parents cried when I left for my 10 day trip and were worried sick.....basically, I have no idea how I would convince them to let me go. </p>
<p>Thought? Suggestions? </p>
<p>Thanks :)</p>
<p>***EDIT:</p>
<p>I would just like to state that the gap year wouldn't really be used as a way to reapply to my dream schools.
I was waitlisted at BU. The reason it was so appealing was that it was so different and it would force me to grow and change. Gonzaga and UPS are surrounded by family members and I've been to Spokane and Tacoma over 100 times. If I took the gap year, I would probably postpone my acceptance at Gonzaga and return the following year (I have no desire to redo the college app process). I would just like to gain some wordly experience before immersing myself in the Gonzaga bubble.</p>
<p>Surfette - I didn't realize that you and my D have the same mother! (Just a little parent humor there. Very few moms a happy to see their daughters leave home to attend a distant school.)</p>
<p>That said, you can get an excellent education at either Gonzaga or Puget Sound. You liked them both because you applied. My condolences on not getting into your top choice, but IMHO you are far better off accepting one of the excellent opportunities in hand rather than taking a gap year and hoping the admission decision will be different next year. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Surfette, I'm sorry about your admissions denial. I know it hurts. Having your best friend get in rubs salt in the wound.</p>
<p>It's okay to think through options, but be sure you aren't being reactionary, making decisions based on the emotions of the moment. Have you thought about attending one of your other schools for a year or two, then transferring? Do any of your options offer a study abroad program? That way you can go to school, learn Italian, study abroad -- have everything! Schools have different ways of charging for study abroad programs, but you might find your school financial aid covers some or all of it.</p>
<p>I'm sorry you did not get into your first choice school. I don't know about Gonzaga, but I know a litle about the University of Puget Sound. It has a great study abroad program that you may want to investigate. Don't dismiss it or Gonzaga either.</p>
<p>Is the main objective to get into a "better" school next year? Taking a gap year to accomplish a better admissions result has been done (rather famously on this forum) but it seems to me you would have to spend the year very productively and show the colleges something special to convince them to admit you. The downside is you miss that freshman year bonding experience with your peers and you may end up feeling out of synch for the rest of your college years. </p>
<p>I would check out the study abroad opportunities at the schools where you have been admitted. If you are unhappy you can always transfer. The gap year is do-able, but I think it requires a lot of planning to make it a productive year, and in your case financing the year could be a major obstacle.</p>
<p>Surfette,
First, I am so sorry that you didn't get into your top choice school. I know that must sting, and seeing your friend get in when you didn't only stings even more. I am so sorry.</p>
<p>I think it is only natural at this point to feel confused and a little lost. Give yourself time to heal from the disappointment -- you do not have to make ANY decision today, or even tommorrow. It's ok to spend some time grieving over the lost dream, but at the same time also give yourself permission to begin a new dream about the other terrific options you do have before you. Perhaps, with a bit of time, a new path will become clear.</p>
<p>Most of all, treat yourself kindly. You did not do anything wrong, and you are still the same wonderful person you were before you heard the news. </p>
<p>Have you visited the schools that offered you aid? I suggest going for at least one full day, attend classes, eat in the dorm commons and meet other students. Talk to professors and advisers. You might change your mind.</p>
<p>Cheers, Surfette said that her family is poor; BU leverages its financial aid and does not guarantee to meet full need -- so it is highly unlikely that those who are admitted from the waitlist would get any aid at all, beyond the federally subsidized loans and grants they qualify for. So it probably would not be a good idea for Surfette to try for a spring admit.</p>
<p>I think the idea of holding her spot at Gonzaga (if she can hold the merit aid) and spending time in Italy would be great. The au pair suggestion is a good one.</p>