<p>2 Stranger: well, it is kinda comforting to know that someone else understands me. I do really feel bad for my EC's, community service and sports - they were my problems. I was quite strong academically (not the SAT in particular, but nice AP's, grades and recommendations etc.).
Btw, what colleges did you get in, Stranger? Are u taking a gap year?</p>
<p>Let me shed some more light on my story. I HAVE TO take a gap year. I was an exchange student in 2005-2006, graduated from High School in California, and then came back to Ukraine and graduate this year from my Ukrainian school. BUT since my trip to the USA was funded by American gov't, it imposed a requirement that I cannot enter the USA (except as a tourist) for 2 years. So, I applied to colleges with the decision to defer my matriculation, but I will have to re-apply next year again. I want to try HYP again, though I have really few chances, but I don't loose anything, do I? And I have plenty of time to improve my scores on SAT and take ACT.</p>
<p>Oh, and Stranger, did you think of organizing some club yourself? Well, if you gather few people and start the thing and people get interested - you can say on your application that you had started a club. I thought of it myself, but since I graduate in 2 months it is kinda pointless.</p>
<p>I only applied to HYP since I didn't have time to complete any other applications. Now I regret that a bit, but it was a longshot to begin with and I really only decided to apply there last fall, so I didn't have too much time to plan it. I got accepted to two (maybe three, still waiting on one) British schools, and I might go there, but right now the possibility of taking a gap year and re-applying with higher SAT scores and maybe some new activities sounds tempting. Next time around I would of course also apply to less-selective schools because I would like to get educated at a American college even if it's not an Ivy League one.</p>
<p>While our school offers few activities (student council, math club and possibly some sport thing), I did have some ECs: Youth theatre for almost two years (not related to my school), student council for four years (I thought my position as President in the last year would help, but apparently it didn't..) and occasionally writing to a local newspaper. However, I became involved in all of these activites quite late, and they still pale in comparison to the lists that most American applicants have. The difference between the EC culture in the US and in many European countries is just really big.</p>
<p>I would love to go to British college, but they have no fin aid for intl. (Actually, the fee for intl. is 2-3 times higher that for and English)</p>
<p>As I read this forum, many say that it is important to show passion for EC's, not necessarily a log list of them. So, you may wonna write an essay about your passion for the President's position or whatever.</p>
<p>Hey, guys I just got waitlisted at Williams, and I really need to figure this thing out.</p>
<p>So, I will be entering the college ONLY in the fall of 2008. I cannot do this earlier, because of my visa circumstances.</p>
<p>I applied this year in hope to get accepted and defer my matriculation. However, since I am waitlisted I want to know this thing.</p>
<p>If I tell the colleges I am waitlisted at, that I would welcome the opportunity to get admitted for the next year's class, if I am qualified (or smth. like that) would it improve my chances of being accepted from the waitlist (for the next year of course)?</p>
<p>if you apply for the second time in the fall of your gap year, can you still apply as a freshman? even if you took some courses at a local CC or state school?</p>
<p>Mouse,
S asked that question of colleges that he was considering, and they said he could take up to 4 college courses during his gap year and still apply for freshman admission. Just check with the colleges you're considering. </p>
<p>"If I tell the colleges I am waitlisted at, that I would welcome the opportunity to get admitted for the next year's class, if I am qualified (or smth. like that) would it improve my chances of being accepted from the waitlist (for the next year of course)?"</p>
<p>Probably not. Next year is expected to be even more competitive than this year, and applicants who were waitlisted this year probably would not stand out in next year's pool, which probably will be stronger.</p>