<p>I posted this in some other thread and it got glossed over...I'd really appreciate some feedback here.</p>
<p>Let's say I got into a good school...maybe Tufts or Rice or WashU or whatever. But let's say really wanted to go somewhere else, like Georgetown or Stanford, but didn't get in.</p>
<p>So let's say I write Tufts/Rice/WashU and put in my class deposit, but also ask to defer my matriculation by a year (so that I'll be Class of '11 instead of '10). Let's assume they say yes.</p>
<p>Now, I have a whole year off where I can do great things...things that would look great on an application and would potentially compensate for why I didn't get in last time, and I already have a guaranteed spot in a good school. So now I have a safety net to fall back on, meaning I would like to apply again to those schools I really wanted to go to, and if I get rejected again, no biggie, cuz something's there to catch me.</p>
<p>So now, is it possible for me to apply to Georgetown/Stanford again, even though I've already put down my deposit for the other school? Or is there some law against that because it's almost like going behind their back about it? And what about an overseas institution, like Trinity College or Cambridge or Oxford? Would there be any rules governing those I should know about?</p>
<p>Andison took a gap year and used it very productively. He reapplied at two schools that did not admit him first time and to schools that had not been on his original list. He got rejected by the two schools and admitted to the new ones. So your strategy is rather risky.<br>
Maybe some other posters will address your question about whether it is okay to commit to one place but apply to another during your gap year.</p>
<p>Many schools make you sign an agreement stating that you will not apply to any other school during your gap year. There's no guaranteeing that you will get accepted if you apply again (especially if you don't do anything significant or life-changing during your gap year) and you may be jeopardizing your "safety" slot at Tufts/Rice/WashU.</p>
<p>Better to attend the school you were accepted to, (if it meets your basic requirements), work like crazy, then apply for transfer. For many students, they end up really loving the school they attend and decide not to transfer after all. YMWV. :)</p>
<p>Did anyone find any hard evidence supporting the whole "you cant apply to another school during your gap year" thing online anywhere? I can't seem to find anything like that.</p>
<p>anxiousmom: a lot of people have been telling me that, but i really don't wanna go the transfer route. regardless of whether i had gotten in to my top choice or not i wanted to do this gap year, as its really something quite significant and rare.</p>
<p>Muffinking - FWIW I think you could have way more fun and productivity during your gap year if you didn't have to spend part of it applying to colleges. It sounds like you've gotten into some very good schools as it is. Why not defer admission and really go follow your passion during the year off and not concern yourself with doing something that will look good on your transcript?</p>
<p>The college thing really isn't a big deal. I've been through it before, all my teachers have their reccomendations saved, and basically all my essays are written and I don't need to go through testing again.</p>
<p>Once again, I'm not concerning myself with my transcript, because this is already something I want to do. And no, for the record, I really don't want to go to the schools I got into (which aren't Tufts/Rice by the way, but on a comparable level)</p>
<p>The "evidence" is usually located somewhere in the letter the college sends you after they accept your request to defer. As far as I know, it's a very common practice to prohibit applying to other colleges during a gap year if you've already committed to one. If it's that important to you, I would strongly suggest simply calling the school and asking - that's the best way to get a solid answer.</p>
<p>If you're not committed to going to the school, you should 'reject' them and let another dedicated, waitlisted student in. </p>
<p>WashU/Rice are very good schools and you should appreciate that you got in, since there are many students who are having a hard time getting in. </p>
<p>And for what it's worth, I think if you apply again with the same recs., essays, (therefore making applying 'easy'), then.. well, wouldn't you just get rejected again? You would have to really work on a new, great application... after you did whatever great thing you did just for the sake of getting into a college that you might not even like. Nothing's a sure thing.</p>
<p>I don't understand the gap year thing, if it is done in response to not getting into the school one wanted. If one wants a gap year because they think they need additional maturity before they study (no better motivation to study than doing a tough job for a year), or they want to volunteer or give to a community (Americorps, etc.), or do something unique, then great. But to take a gap year to get into a specific college. What is one supposed to do to change the minds of the admission's committee? Take the SAT's again - additional tests at 19 do prove much - high school grades are high school grades - they are what they are -- seems to me getting on with life is most often a better thing - and doing well at any school and furthering your education is the way for most.</p>