<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I had a question of gap years. If you take a gap year, is it looked on ell to use it to study. Assume u have bad SAT's and all, and in order to boost your chances, you spend pasrt of that gapyear working on SAT's etc.</p>
<p>Is that a good idea. I was thinking that it isnt as they dont want you to work extra and all after school just to get uinto a college.</p>
<p>What sayest thou?</p>
<p>Antarius</p>
<p>I don't think it's a great idea to take a year off if all you can say you did was boost your SAT score. Did you get into any schools? You could attend one of those, or even a community college, and make A's to build a strong transfer transcript.</p>
<p>My list stands such
1. Miami : Accepted
2. U of Arkansas: Accepted
3. Tufts: Accepted
4. Rice: Accepted
5. Johns Hopkins: Waitlist
6. U of Chicago: Waitlist
7. Carnegie Mellon: Waitlist
8. Cornell: Rejected
9. Stanford: Rejected</p>
<p>So, Im good,. This is just a general question :)</p>
<p>Not to hijack this thread, but what about taking a gap year to save money to go to college? As in, defer your admission, work full-time for a year, then go to college?</p>
<p>If it passes by admissions, then, I suppose it wouldn't be a terrible idea, but if money is really an issue... you wouldn't make enough to cover four years (Unless you got such a great job that you no longer need to think about college) and you'd end up taking out loans anyway.</p>
<p>I know a lot of people who taking a GAP year has been a great choice, and has worked out really well for them. I also know a lot of people who should have taken a GAP year, for maturity reasons mostly. Many people I went off to school with were immediatly unhappy in any situation, transfered to other schools, found that they were unhappy there and ultimately took some time off. </p>
<p>On the flip side, many find it difficult to go back to school after taking a year off from school. My advice would be, if you do take off a year, for whatever reason, stick to your plan and go back to school a year later. It's far to easy to keep pushing it off.</p>
<p>I'd wait to see how you do on the waitlist. And, I'd send in a deposit to one of the schools you've gotten accepted to. You got into some great schools. Why waste a year if it's just to raise your scores?</p>
<p>During the gap year, colleges often want to see that you did something which stretched you a bit. Community service, experiences abroad, a PG year, a research activity, an internship, etc...</p>
<p>thanks a lot...</p>
<p>One thing please, This is not for me... so, I am aware of that I am to do.. this is a general Q and not in regard to me</p>
<p>I mean, assuming u have an admission aleady in a good place but decide to aim higher. Is it a good idea to waste one year of life on working on SAT's etc.</p>
<p>Also, wont colleges consider you obeseeive and score minded as yiou are trying too hard after school is over?</p>
<p>And if one could do it easily, why are GAP years so rare?</p>
<p>
[quote]
I mean, assuming u have an admission aleady in a good place but decide to aim higher. Is it a good idea to waste one year of life on working on SAT's etc.
[/quote]
no. absolutely not.
[quote]
Also, wont colleges consider you obeseeive and score minded as yiou are trying too hard after school is over?
[/quote]
that's precisely the reason.
[quote]
And if one could do it easily, why are GAP years so rare?
[/quote]
because it's a big decision to make. there're lot of things to consider. parents generally are afraid that the student might not want to go to college anymore, or lose the enthusiasm to study.</p>
<p>when i took my gap year everyone thought i was an outcast.</p>
<p>thanks, banedon. Anyone else?</p>
<p>BTW, why did you take a gap year banedon?</p>
<p>i was sick of studying (really). i was accepted last year in the UK, but decided that i want to study in america instead.</p>
<p>Im a junior HS student from Monterrey, Mexico. Im strongly thinking about taking a gap year, after my senior year, with a catholic youth organization (legion of christ); it's some form of community service. One isn't able to decide where to go; it may be either in a small town of Mexico or in Rome. </p>
<p>How would admissions officers look at it?</p>
<p>i'm also seriously considering a gap year, as i didn't get into any colleges that i think i'll be happy at. </p>
<p>the one thing i'm scared about is getting back into things after a whole year off. </p>
<p>i just don't know how to convince my parents or get started or anything. </p>
<p>I got into BC, BU, and CMU. I don't know. ugh.</p>
<p>assume Mr. X is in the situation of banedon. He gets UK but wants US. So he takes a gap year and does whatever. IF he takes the SAT in that time, will it hurt him? </p>
<p>Banedon, what did you do in that time? </p>
<p>What i feel on this is, even if u do take a GAP year, SAT's or working on ur stuff will hurt you as it makes you look score obsessed and not college mature</p>
<p>i don't get your scenario, antarius. yes, if you take a gap year and then only do the SATs, you're score obssessed. bt if you do other things IN ADDITION to the SATs (that's what you're supposed to be doing anyway), then what's wrong with that?</p>
<p>i took the SATs because they require the new format.</p>