Please help - how to spend gap year

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello Friends,</p>

<p>I am a prospective International applicant from India and I had applied to colleges ( HYPS, Amherst, Williams, Dartmouth, Middlebury, Hamilton, Bates, Columbia, Penn ) this year. But now I expect rejection from everywhere.</p>

<p>Career Goals - Politics, Major - Pol. Sci.</p>

<p>Grades - Class IX - 90+, Class X - 87.5, Class XI - 88, Class XII - 75.8 ( CBSE English topper ) </p>

<p>ECs outside School</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Co-Founder of Two Registered and recognized NGOs ( One in a major city and the other in Northern Bengal ), First helps the poor people in their pursuit to gain education, Second helping the homeless and poor.</p></li>
<li><p>Created a new product, investors ready to invest, product ready to be launched.</p></li>
<li><p>Writing two books which would be published in the coming month.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>ECs in School</p>

<p>President and founder of Student union of my school
President of student government
President and Founder of Youth Bank
President and founder of Eco Club
President and founder of school disciplinary committee
Founder of various extracurricular clubs for students
President, Founder, Speaker of Economics and Political club of my school
RWA President
Teacher of adult literacy campaign
Teacher ( Maths, Social Sciences and Painting ) for underprivileged kids
Chief Artist and group leader of our school's art club ( won many painting competitions )</p>

<p>Awards - </p>

<p>Received award from Government of India for my successful participation in the literacy campaign.</p>

<p>Other awards mostly from School</p>

<p>Recommendations - Excellent</p>

<p>Now the deal breaker - SAT Score - 2030, SAT II ( Jan 28th score, I am still shocked with the score. I felt I had done MUCH better ) - ( Maths - 630, US History - 640, Physics - 650 )</p>

<p>So my question is - How what should I do in the GAP YEAR. ( I have a busy schedule because of my obligations to the NGOs, Most of the time I am travelling. )</p>

<p>I know improving the SAT scores and SAT II scores are very very important.</p>

<p>Are there any other colleges where I can get substantial aid as my financial condition is very weak right now, it might improve this year though. </p>

<p>And a question about this year - Can " holistic review " still get me accepted to one of my college atleast, or all hope is lost.</p>

<p>I WON'T MIND COMPLETELY HONEST COMMENTS</p>

2

<p>Anyone there to help ???</p>

3

<p>Please help !!!</p>

4

<p>If you do nothing but run your NGOs, further develop your business, and get your books launched you will certainly have more to bring to the table next year. Raising your exam scores a bit and finishing out your last year of school with good grades will also help. Don’t try to add anything else to your schedule.</p>

<p>Do take some time to think about your career goals. Are the schools on your list because you have thoroughly examined their academic offerings and you believe that they will help you get to where you want to be, or are they there because you found them in some “Top” list? Babson might be a better choice for you given your entrepreneurial drive. If you are primarily interested in issues related to poverty, you might want to take a long hard look something like this: [International</a> Programs](<a href=“Global Development | CALS”>Global Development | CALS)</p>

5

<p>I have already graduated from high school ma’am.</p>

<p>Does anyone think that ’ holistic review ’ can still save me this year.</p>

6

<p>The places that you have chosen to apply to are among the toughest to get into. None of us can predict your chances. You really do have to just wait.</p>

7

<p>Are there remedial programs or conditional admissions at top schools ( If they like the overall application but my test scores are very low ).</p>

8

<p>Any other advice.</p>

9

<p>OP- when you say you will be traveling, where will you be traveling to? Can you combine traveling with volunteering?</p>

10

<p>Travelling = Working for the NGOs = ( Is this volunteering ? )</p>

<p>I have always heard that test scores or any one factor can’t get someone rejected, what matters is everything together.</p>

<p>Is this true ?</p>

11

<p>Any more advice.</p>

12

<p>Working for the NGOs… are you getting paid? If so, that is not volunteering. But that’s not a problem. Either way, you are spending your summer wisely.</p>