<p>For context: I'm in the process of creating a contingency plan, and I'm not the biggest fan of going to my safety (or my mids) and then transferring up--rather, I think I would be better off if I simply waited a year and reapplied. </p>
<p>Of course, I wouldn't be doing nothing--I have a few potential options (ranging from a hedge fund to an air force general's aide [both of which are also options for a gap year])--my question is, if I don't get into my upper-tier schools, is it worth it to take a year, work, and reapply?</p>
<p>You place way too much emphasis on your top choice schools’ ability to affect two iotas of your quality of life afterward. Do you honestly think the trajectory of your life will be so radically different if you were to attend Tufts vs. Duke? </p>
<p>In the real world, those differences are extremely ephemeral. Having “been there and done that” with my HYP diploma, often I find myself trying to talk people down from the ledge like yourself.</p>
<p>That’s my advice to you if you were my kid. I’m sure there are others who will think differently…</p>
<p>It looks like you have no safeties at all. Trinity considers “level of applicant’s interest”. Syracuse lists “level of applicant’s interest” as “very important”, while no other criterion is anything more than “considered”. Since it seems like you are not actually interested in them very much, they may figure that out and reject you.</p>
<p>If you get rejected by all, then it is likely your best choice is to go to community college for two years and then transfer to your state flagship to complete your bachelor’s degree. If you take a gap year and reapply without safeties again, what will you do if you get rejected by all the second time?</p>
<p>I had to laugh when I saw your gap year options - hedge fund? What would you do there? A general’s aide is a commissioned officer, not a graduated HS student. </p>
<p>Continuing where UCB left off, if you aren’t willing to attend your safety then it’s not a safety. It sounds like you have a serious case of prestige worship if you’re only willing to attend the most select schools on your list. A gap year may be best but be realistic about what you’re going to accomplish.</p>
<p>I would initially be as dismissive as Erin’s Dad and UCB. </p>
<p>However there are a bunch of factors that make me take you seriously.
You applied to 16 schools and don’t need aid.
The chances of you getting rejected by all of them, UCB’s comments not withstanding. are miniscule. You really are a competitive applicant.
Both your parents were very successful and if you want to continue in the “family business” which might be something like investment banking or money management, you might really need to go to a prestigious university, though WUSTL is certainly in that league.
You can afford to take a gap year and have plans to make good use of it.
I’m sorry about your mother, that must have been very hard to lose her when you were so young. </p>
<p>I think it might be ok to make those contingency plans if you’re not satisfied with your choices. </p>
<p>There are also good UK options. For example St Andrews deadline isn’t until May 1st. You wouldn’t be the first US student unhappy with their options to make a last minute application across the pond.</p>
That horse left the barn long ago. Its obvious the OP cares a lot about having her/his name linked with prestigious situations and institutions. </p>
<p>General’s aide? Worked at a hedge fund? Sounds impressive, unless you stop to ask yourself “what does an 18 year-old kid do in these jobs?” Questions that will give an adcom pause.</p>