Hello, I’m an international student from Taiwan. I applied to several top school (JHU, Duke, Upenn) with need-based fin aid and got rejected this year. I’m admitted by UCSD and U Washington which are definitely good schools but the tuition will be a burden. So right now I’m considering taking a gap year and re-applying to more schools. I’m working in a lab in my local university so I must have something to do during the gap year, and probably the more months in lab can strengthen my CV. I know that chances are I will be rejected by the top schools again, but it still worth a try. So here are some questions:
- My SAT score is 2190 (M 800, R 690, W 700). Do I need to take the new SAT?
- I didn't apply to any LAC this year. Should I use my only ED on LAC instead of research school/university because I think some LACs (like Amherst) offer generous fin aid? BTW, can gap year student apply ED?
- Can I attend my local university during gap year, or I will lose freshmen requirement?
- I will still apply to UCSD and UW again as backup plans. So should I write a mail and explain the situation when I reject their admission this year?
Any suggestion or reapply will be truly appreciated 
Did you get any aid from UCSD and UW?
1 - You need to check schools web sites. There is at least one school that won’t accept the old SAT next year.
2 - Yes, you can
3 - You would be a transfer which would probably reduce your chance for aid.
4 - You can but I doubt you’ll get more $ next year, in which case why would you apply again? Why not a merit aid option like Alabama?
Double check that you have missed the deadline for some of these full merits, especially UAH.
Will either school let you defer? I do not think UCs do but what about the other one? However, they often make you sign a gap year agreement promising not to apply or enroll elsewhere.
A score of 2190 is probably not going to be really impressive at a school like Amherst. I would retake. But first, I think you should defer for a year.
Thanks for all your replies. So I should retake SAT and check the schools offer merit aid. But I still have 2 questions:
- Even though I dont want to keep and transfer the credits, I still cant attend to any college in gap year, or I will be a transfer student instead of freshman (I know its nearly impossible to apply aid as a transfer)?
- Is LAC the best choice for ED? I think their acceptance rate is a little higher than those top universities. But I heard that some LACs are unfriendly to international/Asians (although I doubt it). Is that true?
And I think it’s unethical to defer a school’s enrolment while applying to other schools. Or is that actually OK?
@frankt41
Colleges will consider you a transfer applicant if you enroll anywhere during your gap year.
With the exception of Amherst, you’re focusing too much on 1) schools that are need-aware for international students and 2) prestige. In reality, admissions at top US colleges are brutal for international students, and they become more difficult with financial need.
I don’t think you can defer enrollment and apply to other colleges.
You’re not supposed to but many students do.
I know the top schools are extremely selective. But I want to know if the environment in LACs/small schools are not friendly to international since there are very few internationals there?
I think you should not do this at all. Very likely you will be in exactly the same situation next year. Go to college in your home country. The number of schools that are need blind and meet need for internationals are tiny (5 now, I think), and the competition is ridiculous. You will likely just waste a year not in college.