<p>Sorry for bothering you yet again, but there's still something that I don't understand about applying to Harvard.</p>
<p>As I mentioned in another thread I created, I am German and I've just recently decided that going abroad to study is what I want to do in the future, leaving me with Harvard as one option among the most attractive colleges in America. The problem is: I'm attending the 13th class of the 'Oberstufe', which can be compared to the 'Senior Year' in the American system. Accordingly, I will have my 'Abitur' by June of this year. But Harvard starts considering students in winter for an enrollment in fall of the following year, which means that I would have to leave a gap of one whole year if I was (which is a dream) really admitted for an enrollment in 2012. My question is:</p>
<p>Does Harvard even consider my application when I have such a gap? Certainly, I'm trying to make use of that year and will probably work voluntarily during that year, but does that even matter at that point or can I forget the application? I was simply not familiar with the American system and the fact that students in America apply to colleges 1 year before they leave school...</p>
<p>Secondly, in my situation, isn't a Mid-Year-Report rather ridiculous than of any use? Since by the time of my application, I will surely have my final results to submit...why would they then bother to receive and take into consideration a Mid-Year-Report?</p>
<p>Yes you can apply, you can even write about what you’ve done since school and how it affected you, and as far as mid-year grades, you won’t have to send them, because your transcript should already have final senior year grades.</p>
<p>Yes you can take the gap year. I am just finishing one (and a half…) and am applying to Harvard, and got into Yale ea. It is actually an immense boost to an app as you can do so many cool/interesting things in that year.</p>
<p>Okay thanks and perfect! In my special case, it should be even less of a problem since I skipped 2 classes during my secondary school time. Yay. :)</p>
<p>Someone any suggestions how I could use that year properly aside from volunteering for work in a social institution for a year? It’s not that I have no ideas, but I would like to REALLY use the gap then. What will you guys probably spend your time on during that year?</p>
<p>Edit:
In your case, Idiosyncra3y, what have you been doing up until now?</p>
<p>Was thinking of posting it somewhere after I get the rest of my decisions (H and P). Maybe do it before though.</p>
<p>Will try do it when I can and will pm you guys.</p>
<p>Edit: We are now at 4 so will probably just post this somewhere. sigh, CC members who will be my future classmates will have no problem identifying me; look for the guy who did x y and z on his gap year.</p>
<p>Looking forward to that :)</p>
<p>Who needs anonymity?</p>
<p>Edit to the edit: In which forum should I post it when I get around to writing it up?</p>
<p>I’m interested as well. I also want to know why you decided to take a gap year, and what kind of experiences you had during last year’s application season. I don’t know anyone personally who has even considered taking a gap year. Thanks!</p>
I’m interested in knowing as well…</p>