<p>If he got rejected from those schools the first time, then he should expect the same for repeat applications.</p>
<p>Since you do not mention the student’s academic qualifications, it is impossible to say whether applications to different similarly selective schools would be realistic – although such schools still have a low chance of admission for everyone, no matter how well qualified.</p>
<p>Realistically, if he does do a gap year, he needs to include a low cost safety in his next application list, such as the schools in this list that he qualifies for: <a href=“Automatic Full Tuition / Full Ride Scholarships - #300 by BobWallace - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums”>Automatic Full Tuition / Full Ride Scholarships - #300 by BobWallace - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums; . If not, a shut-out the second time will be even more devastating.</p>
<p>The other (and probably more common) option is to just start at community college and transfer to a state university to complete the bachelor’s degree. Of course, you want to evaluate the cost of two years of community college and two years of state university as a transfer student (check the net price calculators).</p>