<p>So I was rejected from all of the schools that I applied to this admissions cycle (minus my safeties). Thing is, I really believed that I would have had a chance if my GPA was higher. My dad suggested taking a gap year.</p>
<p>U/W GPA: 3.556
Weighted GPA: 4.499
SAT 1: 2280 (740 CR, 770 M, 770 W)
SAT Biology: 770
SAT Math 2: 790
ACT: 34 (35 W, 36 M, 32 R, 31 S, 34 Essay)</p>
<p>IB Program with 4 HL's</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:
TaeKwonDo for 10 years, black belt, instructor.
Volunteered at two hospitals for two years each.
Fed Homeless with Church, helped to start the program.
Volunteer at World Vision
JV Soccer for two years
Church Youth Leader, part of Praise team.
Piano, Guitar, and Drums (dunno if this is important)
Chess Club Third Board
Worked at Dollar Mart for 3 years
Worked in DIRECTV for 2 years</p>
<p>Awards:
NMSP Student
NHS
SHS</p>
<p>1.) Will taking college courses at my community college, or online courses, completely erase my high school GPA and replace it with the new one? I know that I would do anything at all to get a 4.0 in community college or online courses, so would this mean that I would put down a 4.0 on college applications, and never mention my high school GPA (3.556)?
2.) Will colleges look down on reapplying? I would really like to apply to the same colleges that I did this year.
3.) Are the chances of acceptance much lower for gap year students, or are they the same for any RD applicant? I know that transfer rates are EXTREMELY low.</p>
<p>1.) It depends on the school: some require HS transcripts from all transfer applicants, some don’t require HS records after a certain number of college credits, not sure if there are any colleges that never require HS transcripts. Go to the college websites to find transfer policies on reporting HS grades.</p>
<p>2.) Some schools are wary of reapplicants and some ask in their supplement if you have applied to the school before and what was the decision.</p>
<p>I hate gap years unless you planned to do one anyway. I think that you should go to the school that admitted you and do well and not look back. </p>
<p>Why would you delay your entire life for a year just to have a pedigree that isn’t really necessary to be successful anyway. Why do you think that you can’t succeed at your safety? </p>
<p>I am sorry for your outcome, Happy2012. You are clearly a very bright person. Not sure what your list was like, but are there schools stats-wise between the ones you were rejected from and your safeties? You may want to broaden your list should you take a gap year. And you should do something meaningful & challenging during a gap year. A young woman we know took courses at Harvard Extension, worked, and volunteered for a few theater productions during her gap year. She had some nice choices this time around, not top 20, however. Attending and doing well at one of your safeties and transferring for your second year may be another option; but I would again advise you not to be hell-bent on getting into the very top schools.</p>
<p>Attending and doing well at one of your safeties and really enjoying and embracing the experience is the option that I’d recommend. You can’t enjoy your school with one foot out the door. Give it a fair chance.</p>
<p>While my high acheiving, valedictorian son was accepted to schools in all his ranges (reaches, match, safties) though not all the schools he applied to, he ultimately chose to attend one of his safeties with a full merit award. Did well, loved the school and everything it offered, and is now in graduate school. This “safety” school did not hold him back at all. I still stand by “you can go anywhere and be anything!”</p>
<p>Why not attend your safety. It may be a great fit for you. If not, transfer.</p>
<p>I have no qualms with attending my safety. However, my dad does. He thinks “No ivy, homeless”. He’s furious right now, and I’m afraid to leave my room. I get a heart attack whenever someone comes into my room because i know he’ll start another “tantrum”. The only times I left my room to eat are to get food and to go to the bathroom. So while I appreciate all of these safety comments, they’re not really an option for me.</p>