<p>So after a long talk with my dad, it's been decided that instead of going to a university/CC for 2 years, I'm going to take a gap year. We decided it was best because:</p>
<p>1) I'm a year younger than most seniors in my class anyways.
2) Senior year was full of mess-ups that will all be fixed after graduation, meaning my application will look much better for next year.
3) I didn't get in the two schools I was really looking forward to getting in to, so second chances.</p>
<p>But now I have some questions that hopefully this helpful CC community could help me out with.</p>
<p>Q1) One of the things I never did during high school was take AP courses. This was because my school didn't offer any. Could I use the gap year to take AP courses as a high school student at a community college and have that count in my application for college in 2007? If so, how many AP classes should I take?</p>
<p>Q2) What are some of the best ways I could make good use of this gap year? My dad is very against me working at a fast food chain, but he says a job that'll bring in money and also look good on an application is very much needed. What would you guys recommend I do for my gap year?</p>
<p>Q3) Are applications with gap years considered a + or a - to universities?</p>
<p>Q4) What is your experience with gap years? Do you have any programs/activities/events that you might recommend I should put a good use of my time into? </p>
<p>Thanks in advance for those who take the time to answer my questions! I appreciate it! :). Also, any tips/suggestions outside of these quesions would be cool.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
If you took classes at a CC for a year, then it wouldn't be a gap year.
[/QUOTE]
</p>
<p>Did you even read my post? :(</p>
<p>I said I'm taking AP classes at a CC. You know, the classes that high schoolers take. </p>
<p>Though I do have a question about this. Am I even allowed to take AP classes as a high school graduate? ??</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
If your school doesn't offer any AP classes, colleges won't hold that against you.
[/QUOTE]
</p>
<p>I've heard this before, but nonetheless I think because I'd be taking the AP classes during my gap year, I could have more time to study for them and if I did good, it'd be a + on my application rather than nothing at all.</p>
<p>Clleges judge a gap year by what you do with it. If you want to take APs and your family can afford it, you could do a post graduate year at a prep school. It's late for applications, but I know kids who got in this late. The other advantage to that is that you'd get good college counseling and help with applications. You could also do APs in a summer program which might be better as you willo be applying to colleges again in the fall. Other good things to do are volunteer or do research in an area of interest.</p>
<p>My friend is taking a gap year to go to art school. She's enrolling in a community college while she works on her portfolio so as not to fall behind academically (I'm assuming she will also be taking art classes). </p>
<p>If you feel that you are academically weak, I would recommend taking some courses to help round out your GPA. However, as suze mentioned, there are a good number of other things to occupy your time, such as research, internship, job, or some kind of volunteer project. Gapyear.com offers a wide range of activites you can look into. Actually, just google gap year, and you can find all sorts of resources. Good luck!</p>
<p>How would colleges view a gap year if you spent it independantly studying? Like intense studying on your own on whatever topic that interests you. Through the library, with books, whatever. How would colleges view this? </p>
<p>Sorry if I'm hijacking the thread, but I have had questions about gap years aswell and its really great that you started this thread up.</p>
<p>Yeah, makes sense suze. I was also thinking... most competitions are in the later half of the year, by which then I would have sent my application already in Senior year. So I'm wondering, what if I win a couple awards or competitions, or states for a sport in Senior year, its not counted? If not, then I would have to take a gap year so that I can try again next year with the new stuff on my app.</p>
<p>Top schools with PG programs include Andover, Exeter and Deerfield. For others look at boardingschoolreview.com.</p>
<p>Asan, that's the problem with hoping a gap year counts. You have about 6 months between the end of high school and applying to do something that will really chance your prospects. Not easy.</p>
<p>If you do plan to take a year off, wouldn't you have to apply near january, post HS graduation, so that you can enroll for next year? Because thenyou really only have a few months to do something to actually make a difference I think Or are you taking a whole year off, then applying the winter of the new year to gain admission for the following year in which case that would almost be around a 2yr hap b/w your HS graduation and college admission(?)</p>
<p>taking a gap</a> year can be very rewarding and productive. me, for example, i run an online business (quite easy to do, altho needs some hard work). can easily earn about $500 a month, that's just for sitting in front of the PC. i started the business late, so for the first 5 months of my gap year i was doing other things. :(</p>
<p>I took a gap year this past year, and I got into Tufts for this fall, so it worked out pretty well for me. It'll take hard work on your part to make it productive, but if you do, it can be a really great experience. Just think about things you're really passionate about--remember, this is for an entire year, so do things you care about.</p>
<p>During my year off I became a certified EMT, got a job teaching pottery to elementary school kids, worked as a volunteer teaching assistant, and kept my job at a clothing store. I think the most important thing is that you learn something from the experience, and can show that when you reapply.</p>
<p>so nothing on taking post-graduate classes at a CC? Everyone's suggestions sound awesome, but...what I really want to focus on is an education. But no boarding schools :P. Cityyear sounds REALLY good...is it a big + for colleges? I'm really considering this option.</p>
<p>why don't you share your stats and the schools you were hoping to get into -- that might help the rest of us give you better advice.</p>
<p>SAT/ACT test scores, any SAT II test scores, GPA, class rank and Extracurricular activities.</p>
<p>Also -- what are your interests? Art? Music? Literature? Science? ?????</p>
<p>If you take a Gap year, you have to look at your original application and what you can do to improve it. Depending on how much of a reach the schools are, there may be nothing you can do to change it.</p>
<p>Just taking classes at a community college will not change everything. you need to make yourself more attractive to the colleges that you want to attend.</p>
<p>Extracurricular:
-I taught as a Ba-dook teacher for my Korean church.
-Tae-Kwon-Do + Gum-Do.
-Piano.
-Violinist for Tacoma Youth Symphony for 1 year in HS.</p>
<h2>-Medical Transcriptionist for Group Health Clinic.</h2>
<p>I'm also a legacy (my dad went to UW).</p>
<h2>I'm in-state.</h2>
<h2>Interests: Music + Art. </h2>
<p>Colleges I got rejected from:
University of Washington <-- still drives me nuts.
New York University</p>
<h2>University of Michigan</h2>
<p>I'm thinking city year might be best, but I'm wondering whether I can do more than just that...gonna check and see how much of my schedule it demands.</p>