<p>"Knowing the stuff" is only part of maturity for college. They are looking for students who will contribute to classes even when the professor might not be perfect, or the readings are not to their tastes. A college cannot fulfill every student's "particular needs", so naturally they prefer the person who has demonstrated he/she is flexible, cooperative, and wants to succeed despite less than a perfect conditions.</p>
<p>Simply, why should they take a whiner/low achiever if they have positive, high achievers from which to choose?</p>
<p>If you're not doing something worthwhile during your gap year, why not get admitted to your local community college, get GREAT grades, then apply as a transfer?</p>
<p>"My d has 3.8 GPA, almost 2200 SAT, pretty good rigor of classes but not pinnacle and scant ECs (a couple of clubs, 1 top leadership position in senior yr that is apparently much coveted by other students, but that's all)..</p>
<p>Those 2 Cs (math did her in due to early slacking off, and the spin-off from struggling to pull off a C caused exhaustion leading to a C in her science class) stand out like a beacon in a sea of A's and B's--and so late in the school career, too.</p>
<p>Time will tell. I'm just hopiing it's true that a great essay will improve the odds. Now... she just has to produce that great essay!"</p>
<p>oh my god a 3.8! I feel SO sorry for her ;) that is SUCH a low gpa. I doubt she can even get into community college. Hope she has fun flipping burgers the rest of her life</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you're not doing something worthwhile during your gap year, why not get admitted to your local community college, get GREAT grades, then apply as a transfer?
[/quote]
because it's even harder for transfers.</p>
<p>also there's no point in taking a gap year if your just going to go to school somewhere else.</p>