I graduated high school two years early and went straight to community college because I was unsure of where I wanted to go. It has been a year and I am almost finished with my basics. I was wondering if taking Gap Year program with another university or program would make up for the lack of volunteering/interning I have not done during college. I did not have time for volunteering like I did in high school due to working while in school.
Has anyone experienced going into a gap year program after their AA degree? Has anyone enrolled in a gap year program before transferring? Did it help with admissions to certain universities? Learning a new language is also on the list.
I have already applied for universities that I have been accepted to. Recently, I feel like I am settling and haven’t been able to experience college so far. I want to be apply for universities such as University of Chicago, Columbia, Howard, or Georgetown…
GPA in highschool 3.5 (low grades because of depression/high gpa because of AP classes: volunteer, clubs, sports, honors) GPA in College 4.0, honors, phi theta kappa.
I don’t have any experience of your particular situation, but my instinct would be that you don’t need a gap year to prove anything (volunteering, etc.) as you have proved your ability with your strong work in CC, and that is what matters most. But if you want to take a gap year in order to do something that interests you–learning a new language, or some other experience–that seems fine. It also seems fine if you want to defer an acceptance you have received, take your gap year, apply to the top-ranked schools you have listed, and then see what happens.
I should add that our son took a gap year right after high school for reasons quite different than yours, and it was an excellent experience. So I’m a fan of gap years if there is a good reason for them and a viable plan.
I hope others with more direct experience can weigh in with more specific advice. I just wanted to make sure you got some kind of input as you sound like an ambitious and hard working student. I wish you all the best.
How much can your parents afford? That will be the biggest driver in what colleges you can choose. I don’t think you need a gap year. Your college record is going to be important. Volunteering and other extra-curricular activities are nice, but they won’t get you into a college you’re not academically qualified for so I wouldn’t stress about them. Transfers don’t get much aid, though, so focus on affordable schools.