<p>I was rejected from all of the colleges I applied to, so it looks like I'll be taking a Gap Year. This is actually good though since I'm trying to write a book anyway. Has anyone here taken a year off or known someone who has and got into Yale?</p>
<p>I understand chances are pretty slim unless you do something outstanding during that year. You might be better off trying to transfer, but I guess that's not even an option for you.</p>
<p>Unless you think you can do something productive with a Gap Year, you might be better off trying to continue your education wherever you can.</p>
<p>thanks, anyone else have any ideas?</p>
<p>If you were rejected, then you don't have much of a choice. Spend your year doing really cool things. Don't waste the year, and don't sit at home writing your book unless you're going to have something to show for it at the end (more than a stack of printer pages). If your boards were low, this would probably also be a good opportunity to get them higher - it's too late for the rest of your HS credentials.</p>
<p>I hail from the other side of the pond (london), where gap years are extremely common (about 50% of each graduating class). Don't listen to any rubbish about "continuning your education"...use it as an incredible opportunity to travel around the world. Build houses, teach at schools, climb mountains, wake up to beautiful sunrises. There are loads of companies that can help you put together a productive gap year. I would count the rejections as a blessing rather than a curse.</p>
<p>yb12: thanks for the advice. But, what exactly are "Boards"?</p>
<p>lafocita: that is an awesome idea. Do you have any experience with Eurorail passes? I was looking on <a href="http://www.gapyear.com%5B/url%5D">www.gapyear.com</a> and they have really low prices for Eurorail.</p>
<p>Boards are your SATs/ACTs - and to clarify my earlier response, that's absolutely the only academic work I would do, and that's only if you're intending to apply to college in the US after your year and those SATs needed improvement anyway. I think that lafocita is absolutely right. I have a British suitemate who I bet learned far more about the world and himself during his gap year between high school and Yale traveling around the globe than I will during my four years here. He left with little money and no contacts anywhere - he found menial jobs in various countries (container ship in China, restaurants in Australia, I think) and paid his way through the year. I would definitely for that experience.</p>