<p>I'll just make it short and simple:
Around September last year, I was suffering from a major setback. I didn't know what I was doing - I was completely lost. I felt like the college application process was too much for me to handle. I'm the first person in my family to go to college, so it was very tough for me to do everything by myself. I'm the only child in the family. I also had to deal with some personal problems that I'm still trying to fix right now. I felt like I was wasting my time trying to finish high school when I had no idea what college I was going to. NO, I did not have senioritis. I felt like all my hard work was for nothing. I didn't start searching for colleges until December, but it was way past the deadlines for most scholarships. My family is middle class, so we are not rich enough to pay for college without scholarships and not poor enough to qualify for much need-based aid. I had so many problems that I had to deal with that I didn't spend enough time on doing my college search. I managed to finish 2 college applications before I couldn't do it anymore. I worked hard on my application. I got above average recommendations, probably nice GC recs. My essays were okay. Some decent awards and ECs. My grades were dropping and my head was about to explode. It's just that I spent a lot of time thinking about what I was going to do and not enough time to actually do them. Just when I was about to give up (as in stop going to school and failing classes), my teachers came to my aid. I felt so pathetic for letting them down. I felt like I was wasting their time by not doing schoolwork and failing quizzes and tests. After watching a TV show about very poor students who were able to overcome enormous obstacles, I was finally able to snap out of it. Right now, I'm just trying to find out what I want to do with my life.</p>
<p>Results:
Accepted to a top 40 school: no aid.
Still have to hear from another top 40 school. Most likely little to no aid
Both cost around 30K/year (for me). I was too naive and didn't apply to other schools that were offering scholarships. I didn't have a lot of time, and I was too obsessed with prestige. We don't have that much money to pay for college.</p>
<p>Parents, do you think I should take a gap year, which I can use to do the application process all over again and find out what I want to do in the future? I know that community college is another option, but I just dont think I'm ready for college. I don't think I'm mature (as in being a good citizen) and responsible enough for college life. Community service has been my passion ever since I was a kid. I'm thinking about maybe doing a community service program, but I have to put money into consideration too (living expenses and money for college). I don't know where to start. A few people have told me that colleges do not want students to take a gap year. Is that true?</p>
<p>It's just that I don't know what to do anymore. Gap year? Community college?
What should I do? PLEASE ANY REPLY IS WELCOME</p>
<p>I would appreciate any of your thoughts.
Thank you.</p>
<p>If you know what you want to do, and the colleges that you were accpeted to offer it, I don't see why you should take a gap year. You will most likely still get some financial aid in the form of grants, and you will find a way to pay for it (you can get a job). If, however, you really know you cannot pay for it and you still need some time to sort things out with your personal life, a gap year wouldn't hurt.</p>
<p>Many colleges appreciate a student taking a gap year.</p>
<p>If you feel unready, then don't go, take enormous loans and bomb out being not ready. take some time off, read this board and research schools which will give you better deals. Devote yourself to finishing the year strongly in HS. Get great letters of rec.</p>
<p>Reaearch into the best match schools is critical, my oldest was too into prestige and ended up at her financial safety. #2 had choices from all across the country, most in a very similar price range, one or two waay more expensive, because I had learned enough here to determine the best places to apply for D.</p>
<p>What you do may also be important, look for the thread about Andison who was admitted no where last year (the year before?) and now is at MIT (i think!) Then look for schools where YOU will be a star, and they will pay you for that. Determine whether IM or FM is better for your situation. If your home equity is an issue, you may want FM schools.</p>
<p>Take the time to figure out what you want to do, then do it right the first time.</p>
<p>I think you should definitely consider a gap year, and given your community service interest, I would STRONGLY suggest Americorps. They will pay you a stipend -- but your Americorps income would not be considered when you applied for financial aid the following year (hence it won't raise your EFC); and they will also give you an educational benefit at the end of your year of service that will help with college expenses. Plus you will get great experience AND will be doing community service (and paid to do it!) </p>
<p>My son has been fortunate enough to get a half-time position with Americorps, while he is also in school. He loves his Americorps job. He recently applied for a merit scholarship at his college that goes to students with strong community service records -- he asked his Americorps supervisor for a letter of recommendation, and she wrote a letter that is absolutely amazing. I don't know yet whether he will get the scholarship -- but it's pretty obvious that Americorps has been a good choice for him.</p>
<p>Why don't you go on the U.S. Gov. job website and look at all the positions, read the job descriptions and see what may inspire you. While you're there fill out a few applications for lower level employment, then it wouldn't be wasted time. You could work for Student Conservation Associaton doing volunteer manuel labor at a U.S. park with a crew, they are always looking for firefighters, I think. Of course you then would have to come up with transportation money. I would go the community college route. Do you have the support of anyone in the family? Get yourself together, take a few classes, use all resources available at the c.c., and decide your next plan of action. The first year at any college is mostly basic studies and you will not have lost any time. I think you are smart to avoid debt with the other college.Just me, I'm weird.</p>
<p>You sound as if you would benefit greatly from a gap year. Look into Americorps and other programs. You'll have time to research colleges and scholarship opportunities and find a college where you'd be happy and successful. A gap year really makes sense since you don't feel you're ready for college life yet.</p>
<p>I graduated class of 2006
I was having samiliar problems to yours, I got accepted but I didnt go because I didnt know how I was going to pay. My mom isnt very involved and my EFC was to high. Now she works less hours because she has a wrist injury that prevents her from lifting anything heavy (she works at the post office) also meaning she makes less money, making my efc go down even more. Fin aid will hopefully give me enough money to pay between merit scholarships, work study, loans. I heard alot about colleges not liking gap years but I did it anyway, It gave me a chance to find myself and figure out what I really wanted to do. I really want to attend college so in the beginning of the year I started the application process too and I start school this summer.</p>
<p>But I wish you the best of luck, do what you feel is right and do what you feel when your ready.</p>
<p>I agree with the suggestions that you take a gap year. In fact, Harvard encourages applicants to do so.<br>
Taking a gap year will allow you to polish your credentials and apply to more colleges. Consider taking one or two community college courses while also working. Do not take a full load of cc courses as you may end up having to apply as a transfer, which makes it harder to get admitted.</p>
<p>since community service is your passion, I doubt you will be short of ideas or opportunities. Best of luck! And yes, read the story of Andison. It has a happy ending; but it was not always so.</p>
<p>Ya know, the human mind is a powerful story teller. Are you lost or did your mind decide that it needed a different path? I tend to think your mind wants you to take slightly different path to college.</p>
<p>Stay away from community college. Sign up for Americorps or go teach English in a foreign country. Most importantly: read. Read as many books as you can possibly fit into your schedule.</p>
<p>Second most important task: get on CC and put together a list of five schools with massive merit aid and/or big scholarships.</p>
<p>You have opened a different door for yourself. Go through it, Alice, and see what's on the other side. In the meantime, be aware that your mind could also play tricks on you--for example, it could tell you that you are too 'lost' or 'tired' or 'confused' about sending in applciations when in fact, your mind could be building in an excuse for you on the off chance you are not as successful as you hope to be. </p>
<p>Don't fall into that self-sabatoge trap. Have faith that you will find a good school at a good price.</p>
<p>Well, I'm not really lost. I just need a break from school to think about what I want to do with my life. Do I want to be a teacher or a businessman? Or maybe something related to community service? Right now, I just don't know what I want to do with my life.
I'm leaning toward doing a gap year, but I'm not sure what's going to happen.
I've been spending a lot of time looking over the Americorps website, but I'm not sure if it is the right program for me. I'm looking at a full year of community service, not just months. Am I going to have time to do the application process all over again while helping underprivileged people on a daily basis? I'm not interested in doing study abroad or internships. Getting a job is another possibility, but I don't want to stay at home anymore. I want to know what it's like to be independent -to be able to live with other people- since I'm 100% sure I'll be going to college after the gap year.</p>
<p>Does anybody know any other good programs for someone like me?
Any more advice?
Thanks.</p>
<p>lastchance,
Here's a post from Northstarmom from last fall. I know that you don't think that you want a whole year off but this really does sound like a fit for you, It sure helped her son. (Hope you don't mind me digging up your old post Northstarmom.):</p>
<p>I wish the article had included options such as Americorps, which provides a stipend of about $200 a week plus free training for participants.</p>
<p>My S is doing a gap year with Americorps in our hometown, and I've been very impressed by how the experience is allowing him to run with his talents, and also is helping him become more organized and responsible. He is doing work that he loves, and also is learning a great deal about his interests -- insights that will help him realistically pick a major and career. The training included things like instruction on budgeting, planning events, organizing things -- info that he'll use forever.</p>
<p>People also can choose to do Americorps far from their hometowns.</p>
<p>Student Conservation Association also has internships where you can explain historic sites to vistors or do plant revegetation or biological testing of water, streams,etc. They participate in Americore. If you do want to do Americore I suggest you get your application in because we know kids who were not accepted because the institutions spots had been filled. You can't just assume you will be placed where you want to be immediately .</p>
<p>Also remember to consider medical and dental insurance. If your family has insurance which ends upon your graduation of high school if you are not enrolled in a higher learning institution, then make dental appoints, get your tentnus shot, etc. now while you are still covered. And have some kind of medical insurance after you graduate.</p>
<p>The federal government has seasonal jobs as well like at the dept of Interior.</p>
<p>There are two different ways to do a gap year.</p>
<p>One is to tell one of the colleges that you've applied to that you would like to attend but want to wait a year. If they say OK, you know where you're going a year later, and you don't have to do anything else.</p>
<p>The other is to start over again in the fall by applying to a new set of colleges.</p>
<p>In your situation, since you missed some good opportunities the first time around, you will probably want to do it the second way. It would help to plan for this before you graduate -- especially if you're considering gap year activities that will take you out of town. Figure out where you want to apply next year and make plans with your guidance counselor now. Then, as the deadlines come up, you and your ex-counselor can work together to make sure that everything is done on time. You're going to have to take some initiative here because you won't still be going to your high school when the paperwork is due. But it can be done.</p>
<p>You actually sound quite mature and you've done a great job so far, applying to colleges on your own and pulling yourself out of a bad personal place you were in. Kudos to your teachers for helping you and to you for accepting the help! I think taking a gap year to figure out more about your interests and do a more informed college search is a really good idea. Americorps was what popped into my mind first but I'm sure you'll get other suggestions here as well. Your GC might have some ideas too. Finishing out your senior year as best you can should be first priority.</p>
<p>I went to college early (after junior year) but left after a year and a half because I lacked direction and didn't want to be building up debt. I worked as a Head Start teacher for a year, became much clearer on my direction and went back to college for a nursing degree and eventually to graduate school in psychology.</p>
<p>You don't need to figure out everything. Just one step at a time will take you into your future. You sound like someone who will do very well; just remember to reach out for help when you need it, as you are doing now. It's a gift to all of the people who want to give help. Since you're that kind of person too, you'll understand what I mean.</p>
<p>Bethievt: YOu and I have a lot in common. Here's how it went for me:
Went to college 1 1/2 yrs., dropped out went to work, went back to college and finished as co op student. Got laid off many many times, got another job as Head Start teacher, - went to RN nursing school on grant.</p>
<p>Seriously, have the insurance. One little hospitalized accident can make all the school loans you were worrying about look like peanuts. And if some serious condition manifests itself while you are without insurance, you will get substandard treatment and some hospitals won't even treat you.</p>
<p>My oldest went off finding himself doing volunteer work in Mexico when he was 19. He gained great foreign language skills, but he had no medical insurance at the time. Gosh, if something had happened!Someone was looking after him up above!</p>
<p>Sorry for being away for a while. I had to take care of some family issues. Well, I've finally decided that I'm going to take a gap year. I think it's the right thing for me to do. After spending some time to sit down and list the pros & cons of a gap year, I've come to the conclusion that my senior year has been a disaster so far. I didn't meet most of my expectations for this year. Yeah, I really need a break to regain my focus.</p>
<p>I'm currently working on my City Year application, and it seems like I have to go through the selection process all over again. Great...but I'll try my best.</p>
<p>I have a few more questions:
1)When I apply to colleges this fall, what should I call myself? A high school senior? Or something else?
2) Since it's only 2 months from AP exams, do you think I should save half of them for next year? My mind is a little bit lost right now, and I have so much homework that I don?t think I'll be able to take 6 exams this year. Is it possible for me to take 4 exams this year and then take the last 2 exams next year (around the end of my gap year)? Will I still be able to take them nexy year? Is it possible for me to do that?</p>
<p>3) My grades aren't so great right now, so I need to get them up asap. The main reason is that my mind is holding me back? Parents, I've been trying to find the answer to this question for about half a year now. Do you know the answer?
"What should a student do when his mind is telling him to give up...but his heart is telling him to fight to the end because it keeps telling him that failure is NOT an option?" What should he do when his mind is slowly beginning to take control of him?</p>
<p>Good to hear from you again--I've been wondering how you were doing. I don't have specific answers to your questions--I'm sure other people will jump in with those. I do think that a gap year is a great idea for you. I also think you need to let your guidance counselor and teachers know you need help. Are you able to stay at school after classes and work on homework at the school library? That might be an easier place to focus in than at home. You have your whole life ahead of you and lots of chances. This isn't your last chance at all, just a difficult spot along the road where you need some help to get through it.</p>
<p>Are you taking 6 AP courses? That would be a heavy, heavy courseload for anyone. No matter how you finish out this year, just do your best to finish it. When you have a direction for college, you can always start out with a CC and build your grades up there if you need to. Don't give up on yourself!</p>
<p>You really do not need to have a slew of APs to do get into good colleges. Six AP courses are too much. Do you already have some? How did you do on those exams?<br>
As for now, select two, at most three, which are the most important and concentrate on the exams on those 2-3. Try to do well in class on the other 3 but don't bother with the exams this year or next (the exams will be held too late to matter for college application).</p>
<p>If your mind and heart are not on the same page, so to speak, talk to a counselor (in or out of school) who will have the tools to help you sort it out.</p>
<p>You do not need to take any AP exams (unless your school requires that for course enrollment). The colleges only care about those results, if you share them, in order to award credit. Many students do not submit results and just take the intro class. Some students like to take all the courses in the full sequence the college offers (especially if AP credit only gets you one of the 2 or 3 in the sequence). It is also less stressful to start college with familiar classwork.
Many studets do self-study for AP exams, so I'd guess it would be fine to postpone some of the exams till next year.
Good luck with your GAP year. Don't forget about health insurance.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the suggestions. After seeking help from my guidance counselor and reading DontGiveUp's post (one of the featured threads), I am fine now.</p>
<p>Bethievt-- You're right. This isn't my last chance at all. I've come way too far to give just up now. I'm not going to let that happen.</p>
<hr>
<p>I'm almost done with my City Year essays. Would anyone like to take a look at them and help me find any errors in mechanics (grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.)? I think they are some of my worst essays in terms of creativity and originality, but content and mechanics are more important when they evaluate my essays.</p>