So I basically applied to 14 universities after I got into my dream school ED but with no financial aid in hopes of better options. I ended up getting into some that I really loved, but most of them with bad FA packages that we would never be able to afford, with Wesleyan University being my top choice. In the end, the only schools that we would somewhat be able to afford would be St. Lawrence University, George Washington (didn’t give me much so would still be a stretch), UMass Boston, or in-state schools like GSU and GCSU. I’ve tried to really adjust my standards and be open-minded, but I honestly am not content with any of the remaining choices due to academics, location, and overall feel of the campuses and what they stand for, and I’m definitely going through the “I missed out on so much of high school working so hard for nothing” which I know is a disappointing reality for a lot of top students going through similar situations. I’ve also been going through some medical complications my senior year and my mom is really opposed to me even going out of state. So we’ve come up with some solutions 1) Stay in-state, go to GSU and continue treatment then maybe transfer to a better school 2) Take a couple of months off until I finish treatment, maybe take up a job, fully recover then take a gap year abroad (most likely be an internship or foreign language) or 3) Go to GSU while in treatment for a semester or so and then take a gap year? What is the best choice?
If you’re looking for good FA then a gap year FIRST would be best. Transfers generally don’t get much aid.
- How bad are your medical issues? Are you able to do well in HS now while in treatment?
- If not, I would consider taking a gap year and getting your medical health under control.
- If so, and if your parents and you and your doctor think you can handle it, then go to GSU maybe taking the lowest load you can (12 credits). Let the Dean of Students know you are undergoing treatment.
- You don’t understant how important it is for your parent to be close by if you have health issues. My daughter had to go to the ER and stay in the hospital for a week and I coudl get there in an hour.
- Your issue seems to be financial…how would a gap year help with that?
- Does GSU have an honors program?
Is “GSU” Georgia State University ?
Is “GCSU” Georgia College & State University ?
Yes! @Publisher
Option #2: Take a gap year, continue treatment, fully recover & reapply.
Oddly, I am familiar with almost all of your listed schools.
@bopper Yeah, I’ve only been having it my senior year so I’ve been able to deal with the workload, but also senior year tends to be pretty work-light, and treatment would be almost 10 hours a week. The gap year came into play just because I thought it would be a good option as far as the emotional and development benefits it has, also because I would want to re-apply to the schools that I like after the gap year with different FA documents that would most likely give me a higher amount of FA. Also, GSU does have an honors college but if you’re not invited you would have to apply 2nd semester of your freshman year (I was not invited I assume because of my test scores-I applied to most of my schools test optional).
@Publisher Why do you think that would be the best choice? Thanks for your input by the way! This is the choice I was also leaning towards but your rationale might be different from mine.
One’s health is most important. Hard to study & difficult to enjoy college with an illness. Since you wrote that with treatment you should recover fully, then do so to enable you to get the most out of your college experience.
Plus, you are not excited about any of your current college options.
So why do you think you would get into a “better” school with more financial aid?
Generally you would apply to less competitive schools to get better merit aid.
Gap year to recover then time abroad, applying to universities where you’ve run the NPC.
You could also ask St Lawrence if you can defer for a year due to your medical issues. It’s an excellent college that you shouldn’t underestimate.
Sometimes life throws a lemon. Make a lemon smoothie with sprinkles. In life, MOST the time, things don’t work according to plan. Years ago my valedictorian wife got into Yale, but she was heartbroken when she found that her parents couldn’t afford to send her there. It’s a good thing she settled on UT-Austin, because I’m not smart enough to go to Yale 
Instead of “having what you love,” … “love what love have” instead.
congrats on getting into your dream school! I faced a similar situation, freshman year of college I had health complications and was unhappy at my school. I took a gap year and then applied to transfer and I found that having a really productive gap year gave me a leg up as a transfer applicant. if you want to read more about why you should take a gap year, look here–> https://www.soulfulseedsblog.com/2018/05/why-you-should-take-a-gap-year/… BUT it is true that transfers have a much harder time receiving scholarships, so you want to weigh that in your decision.
@mariacarmona51 : what did you decide?
I’m on my gap year! So far im happy with my decision @MYOS1634
Congratulations! What have you been doing and what are the olans.? How’s our health?