<p>So I've been wondering for a while now what options does someone have if they get rejected from everywhere they applied or can not attend a college due to financial reasons.
I'm Canadian living in the US and things aren't looking too good right now. Already got rejected from UChicago, Northwestern, UIUC, and waitlisted at WashU. I probably have 9 more rejections coming from Ivies and other top tier schools. My safeties: Loyola University Chicago isn't too keen on giving me aid. Still waiting on University of Toronto.</p>
<p>My stats:
GPA: 3.8 UW/4.3 W
SAT: 2230
SAT II: 750 BioM, 750 US History
ACT: 35
APs: CalcAB 5, Bio 5, US History 5, Micro/Macro Econ 5s, PhysicsB 4.</p>
<p>ECs: President of NHS, hundreds of hours cooking at a homeless shelter, an internship at an independent research facility, other volunteer work with religious organizations.</p>
<p>Awards: National Merit Semifinalist (finalist too but didn't update colleges), AP Scholar with Distinction, 5th place in a biology test in a statewide competition in Illinois.</p>
<p>So options? Should I take a gap year and reapply next year? Go to a community college and then transfer out? Check out other international schools? I'm not being completely pessimistic, just trying to prepare for the worst.</p>
<p>I’d suggest community college personally. If finances are an issue, CC will suit you far better than taking a gap year.</p>
<p>You’ve just made a big mistake in picking schools. Applying to 13 elites and one safety is NOT how to go about the process. Somewhere in the mix you must include financial safeties. There are plenty of good schools who would pay out the nose for a student like you. Had you applied to the University of Alabama, for example, you would have been 100% guaranteed a full ride, $1000/year in spending money, $2000 for research project or travels abroad, and a free laptop ([Top</a> Scholars Program - The University of Alabama](<a href=“http://scholarships.ua.edu/topscholars/nmpackage.html]Top”>http://scholarships.ua.edu/topscholars/nmpackage.html)). That’s just one school- there are plenty of others that would be verrry generous to an applicant like you.</p>
<p>You’ve got a nice profile- hopefully one of those elites will work our you with an acceptance and decent financial package.</p>
<p>I disagree with Pancaked. I’d take a gap year if something doesn’t come through that you’d be able to attend, and apply next year a little more carefully.<br>
The problem with community college is that once you have over a certain number of college credits, you’re no longer considered a Freshman applicant, so financial aid would be difficult. Also, transfer admissions are even harder than 1st year admissions at the more selective colleges.</p>
<p>Take a gap year, work or volunteer in your area of interest, and then reapply, and include a few financial safeties, as well as more match schools.</p>
<p>Are you 100% certain as a NMF that University of Alabama won’t still accept you with a good scholarship? It is late in the game, but I feel like I have read that NMF pulls weigth even at this late date. I would check it out. Read the last FAQ and the response from this link. I personally feel this is a much better option than a CC or gap year. I also feel colleges should be notified of NMF status.</p>
<p>[Top</a> Scholars Program - The University of Alabama](<a href=“http://scholarships.ua.edu/topscholars/faq.html]Top”>http://scholarships.ua.edu/topscholars/faq.html)</p>
<p>My thought was that CC would be a better financial choice as he can cheaply get some basic out of the way and still reap the benefits of his NMF and such through merit scholarships next year. At the schools that would offer him big merit money, he won’t have a problem getting in, even as a transfer. But anyways.</p>
<p>OP, you definitely have options at some schools that award NMFs merit money. Check the [National</a> Merit Scholarships - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/]National”>National Merit Scholarships - College Confidential Forums) forum right away. Start a new thread and ask what schools are possibilities. I believe that Alabama, Auburn and Arizona (State, I think–Barrett Honors College) would be on that list. You may yet get into one of the schools you’ve yet to hear from, but they may not offer you enough need-based aid.</p>
<p>If you take a gap year and then reapply, you won’t be able to take advantage of your NMF status. Don’t wait until you hear on April 1, look into this pronto. You can always decide later not to take one of the NMF options.</p>
<p>Thanks guys for your advice!
My parents aren’t too keen on me taking a gap year as they think it’s a waste. I’ll look into that UA application. Any other universities that still have admissions open and give decent financial aid?
Also, if I take a gap year, will that and the fact that I have applied before reflect poorly on my application next year?</p>
<p>How did that happen? Your stats are absolutely outstanding! I am sure you will get into a school that hasn’t replied yet. Sorry, I know this is not answering your question but I looked at your stats and I couldn’t believe that you wouldn’t get into anywhere. I saw many people posting about their acceptance to schools like Yale and Columbia with worse stats. So keep your hopes up:) (And sorry again for not being too constructive)</p>
<p>How much can you pay? Anything? Nothing?</p>
<p>Thanks for the support ksanyee. </p>
<p>I just found out Loyola in Chicago has a NMF scholarship. I just shot off an email to an admissions counselor I met there today. Lets see what happens with that. Also just contacted University of Central Florida.
And Billy, around 10k a year including room and board :/</p>
<p>If you don’t mind a lower-tier college, University of Oklahoma guarantees a full scholarship to every NMF applicant if you change your first college choice with the NM corporation, from what I remember. The application deadline’s April 1st!</p>
<p>[National</a> Merit - OU Prospective Students](<a href=“http://www.ou.edu/go2/home/nationalmerit.html]National”>http://www.ou.edu/go2/home/nationalmerit.html)</p>
<p>Pancaked: The scholorship opportunities that exist as a senior in high school are not the same ones after a year at a CC or after a gap year. The advice to get basics out of the way and the assumption that NMF status will afford the same opportunities one year later is not correct. 92zero93, get started. It’s not too late to reap the rewards. Call UA and speak with them.</p>