<p>I am in the process of narrowing down my college list and I am starting to feel anxious. My first two years of high school went great but during my sophomore year, I lost a parent. I ignored reality and continued to work hard in school. Come junior year, I felt disenfranchised with school and blew everything off. I am in the process of correcting my previous mistakes but with time running out, I fear that my top schools will not accept me. I have always been the kind of person to worry about things in advance and my plan B is to take a gap year. </p>
<p>How does it work?</p>
<p>Has anyone tried it? What are the pros and cons?</p>
<p>Credit wise, would it be smart to attend one of my safe schools and then transfer? </p>
<p>BTW my ECs and standardized test scores are pretty good.
My choice undergraduate schools are: Columbia, Dartmouth and UChicago
THANKS!</p>
<p>I don’t think you should take a gap year JUST to try to strengthen your app, or b/c you think you can’t get into the top of the line schools with your current stats.</p>
<p>Are you really so sure the top schools are out of reach for you? With a letter from your guidance counselor and/or an essay on why your grades suffered, I’m sure adcoms would give you some leeway. The loss of a parent is not something every high school kid has to deal with, and if your grades have an upward trend my feeling is that they would respect that and understand you couldn’t focus on school due to your tough situation.</p>
<p>Take a gap year if you feel it will be productive for you, not because it will improve your chances of getting into your dream schools. For instance, would you be able to get a job or pursue an opportunity that otherwise wouldn’t be available? Do you think a break from academics would help you get perspective on your life or your future career plans? If so, a gap year might be a good idea.</p>
<p>You do not need to go to Dartmouth or Columbia to get an excellent education.</p>