<p>With a gap year, FIRST AND FOREMOST LOOK INTO WHETHER OR NOT YOU/YOUR SPOUSE'S HEALTH INSURANCE WILL COVER YOUR D.</p>
<p>Two years ago, I got into several schools with excellent merit money but still was filled was angst when choosing a college. I was convinced that I, a non-drinker/non-partier would be lonely/isolated at the state schools I was considering, that I wouldn't find intellectual challenge, etc. I considered taking a gap year and applying to a whole different breed of schools, but my mom flat out said, "NO. You got all this merit money; pick somewhere!" So, I made a last minute visit to my best financial choice, a school I had always loved since visiting it (despite it's relative lack of prestige and party reputation--which scared the **** out of me, honestly). I picked that school on the last day of April with a conflicted heart, half-sure I would transfer to a smaller, more prestigious, and much, much more expensive school. There were some challenges, yes--a horrible experience with a department that had been one of my many reasons for choosing the school as well as a realization that I couldn't, due to my physical disability, likely follow my original major/career plan.</p>
<p>However, so far, my experience with this school has been absolutely wonderful! The large credit cap (12-21 credits a semester all cost the same) has allowed me to not only change majors but to realistically pursue a double major (technically a double degree- BA and BSW) and minor and be on track (hopefully, I'll stay there) to graduate in four years. The variety of classes has been wonderful, and the professors have been, with very few exceptions, wonderful. Even though this is a state flagship (though a small one with slightly less than 12,000 undergrads and about 3,000 grads), I have found my professors very accessible and willing to help, setting up co-ops for me, arranging independent studies, giving me great, involved undergraduate research in multiple fields as early as my freshman year, etc. In fact, I have even become good friends with one of my instructors from last year, a brillant, amazing, incredibly nice woman who sends me pictures from her overseas and calls me a "rock star"--this is, I think, in large part, to the fact I orginally stood out so well in our 83 person lecture Some classes have been <em>very</em> challenging indeed, and taking 19-21 credits every semester has certainly kept me busy!</p>
<p>Socially, I've been very happy so far as well. I'm in several student groups and hold leadership positions in many of them. I've met great friends thorough these groups without going drinking/partying. Additionally--and this is something I'd NEVER thought I'd do in high school, being a non-drinker and non-partier--I joined a wonderful sorority the second semester of my freshman year, and it has been an amazing experience. My sisters are amazing people, and it's already openned doors to leadership and scholarship experiences, not to mention many great friendship/sisterhood activitiies and just random memories.</p>
<p>Finally, I appreciate the relative financial freedom my choice has given me so far. Because of the relatively (below $10,000 a year) COA, my parents have agreed to pay out of pocket for my undergrad., barring any major changes, of course, and in doing so, leave money in my college accounts to pay for grad. school. In hindsight, I'm so glad (and so are my parents, probably) that I didn't go to one of my more expensive ($20,000-$25,000) choices and drain my parent's wallets and college accounts or take out loans.</p>
<p>My point is that, even though I was really, really doubting my choice of school at the time, the time I've spent here (I make no predictions for the future--no one knows what tomorrow could bring!) has been far beyond my expectations and has taken me down paths I never could have foreseen as an angst-filled HS senoir.</p>
<p>Best of luck to your D!</p>