I am a 2017 high school graduate. Last year, I didn’t take the college application process too seriously (not having a well-balanced list, laziness with apps, etc.). I ended up being waitlisted for Harvard, Duke, Dartmouth, and Princeton. As per the title, I decided to take a gap year and apply to some schools I was waitlisted at, as well as new ones.
Last year, I didn’t put as much effort into my applications as I should have. My recommendations were late (with one being only 3 sentences long), my essays were written last minute, and there was just an overall laziness with the application. I’ve found new recommenders and have been working with them on the recommendations, started the essays, and will also be interning at NASA doing software development during my gap year.
I was wondering how reapplying to some of the schools would affect my chances of admission? Will last years application have any effect on the decision? Finally, would a noticeable increase in effort and overall quality of this year’s application over last year’s positively impact decisions?
Yes, last year’s laziness will impact you a second time around. Honestly… I wouldn’t waste my time. Come up with a new list, and give your apps the attention they deserve.
Does anyone else have any other opinions?
Hello OP, I wish we had been able to give you some advice before – there are very experienced posters on this site who would have definitely told you to vary your list. Your stats are great and you are a very interesting student, but the list was only reaches and safeties (as you now realize)…
Others have more experience in offering gap year advice. I would just say that if you really want to stick with your original choices choose one (to my mind, either Duke or Dartmouth). Communicate with them NOW to let them know you intend to take a gap year and apply again.
Then it’s back to the drawign board for matches.
The colleges you applied to last year will be able to see your old application and that will prejudice your chances now.
What are you dong during your gap year? If that is not productive it will further prejudice your application at any school.
@momcinco I’ve already been looking at more match and safety schools, and found some that I really like. I will definitely email my admissions officers from last year about reapplying. Thanks!
@TomSrOfBoston I received an undergraduate internship offer from NASA. So I will spend my gap year working for them as a software development intern.