I am looking at either taking a gap year and reapplying or transferring to Wharton.
If I took a gap year, I would be able to work on a $1 billion commercial real estate project that I helped to get approved. I would also continue to volunteer at a nonprofit railroad and improve my SAT 2s. I would then reapply ED to Wharton again next year.
If I transferred, I would go to a midwestern state school’s honors college next year. Then I would try transferring to Wharton.
About Me: Top 5% of class. 35 Super Score ACT, 3 very good rec letters and 1 bad, lots of demonstrated leadership, etc
Plan on pursuing finance and real estate at Wharton.
Which option would you recommend? any other comments?
There is absolutely nothing you can do that will guarantee you an acceptance to Wharton either as a freshman or a transfer. If you have a great opportunity for a gap you that you want to take advantage of that is great, but you should cast a wider net in terms of colleges you would be excited to attend.
I definitely recommend taking a gap year. That’s what I did after my first year of school at a large public school in order to explore some personal projects (launching a blog, volunteering 20+ hours/week, intern at a startup) and it was seriously the best decision I’ve ever made! After this year off, I will be attending Vanderbilt University in the fall. I have more advice on why you should take a gap year in this post that can hopefully provide you with some more info—> https://www.soulfulseedsblog.com/2018/05/why-you-should-take-a-gap-year/… let me know if you have any questions!