<p>I'm set to attend UCSB this September and I don't want to go. Mostly because of its location and surroundings, I really can't stand small towns and middle of nowhere locations. I've lived in LA my whole life, I would much rather be in a big city.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure now that I've completed the whole process I'm much more able to apply strategically. Truth is, I didn't know an ounce of information about the application process until after I was done applying (lol). My resume is also eons stronger now. What was once a footnote on my applications is now a major hook if I market it correctly (I will).</p>
<p>Is this a good idea? Would my chances be noticeably hurt for taking a year off when I already had acceptance to a major university?</p>
<p>Taking a gap year will not hurt you. I’m having trouble getting my head around Santa Barbara as a small town in the middle of nowhere.</p>
<p>I am too. SB is incredible and an hour and one-half from LA!!</p>
<p>As long as you do something constructive with the gap year there’s nothing wrong with a year off. But make sure you’re being realistic about better possibilities as the UCs just keep getting harder to get into.</p>
<p>Isla Vista and Goleta ( the cities UCSB is in) are very small. Santa Barbara is bit away, but still doesn’t compare to LA. I live in the center of LA, it is a lot bigger than santa barbara.</p>
<p>Many, many in LA would give anything to live in SB. Movie stars escape there often. Why not try something new? LA will still be there in 4 years.</p>
<p>Nope, I live close enough to the beach to see it everyday if I want to, its a 10 minute drive.</p>
<p>I’m going to be closed minded about this. I want to live in a big city.</p>
<p>Why do I care what movie stars do? Is that some sort of stereotype?</p>
<p>I also can’t understand why you wouldn’t put your academic career first. Where you you see yourself going instead?</p>
<p>Before you do this you should call UCSB and see if everything is forgotten if you withdraw before classes start, or if you are considered a student who has been enrolled at the university and withdrawn from studies. If the latter, you need to check with the colleges you now want to apply to and make sure you’ll still be considered a freshman applicant. Some schools may be willing to ignore this since you didn’t actually attend classes, some may not. You really need to check with each school you’re considering. And don’t think “if I don’t tell them there’s no way they can find out”. There’s a national registry that tracks enrollment and degree verification. All the UC schools are members.</p>
<p>My guess is you’re going to be fine and UCSB will look at it as if you declined admission back in the spring; after all people get accepted off waitlists and turn down offers they had accepted. But that’s just my guess; you really need to confirm this with UCSB so you don’t find yourself in a jam if it works the other way.</p>
<p>@BP I see myself staying at a university in LA (UCLA/USC/LMU) or in another big city. I’m not doing this to put academics “first” its more of I don’t want the social life and everything else I get at UCSB.</p>
<p>Cowman, I’ve read a couple of your threads, and it appears to me that you are trying really hard to come up with reasons not to show up for the fall semester at UCSB. In other words, the it’s-not-in-a-big-city excuse just doesn’t ring true. More likely, you are worried about how you’d fit in or do in SB, and/or just don’t feel ready to leave home. </p>
<p>Both of which are fine, thousands of people have similar qualms every August. But if you don’t want to go through a similar problem next year, you should be honest with yourself about why you feel compelled to get total strangers to see your side of the current situation.</p>
<p>If you don’t like this university, pick up the phone and call them. Ask what you need to do to defer your enrollment, or cancel it outright. Students do this every single year at colleges and universities over the country. It really isn’t that big a deal.</p>
<p>Once you’ve taken care of that. Sit down and make a plan for what you are going to do for the next year, and then follow through on that plan.</p>
<p>No where is it written that you MUST go to college right now.</p>