<p>For instance, I applied to College A last year but got rejected and decided to take gap year. If I apply to college A again this year, would they open and see my last year's application?</p>
<p>Probably, but hopefully you have updated information to provide on this years application to make it stronger.</p>
<p>Unless you did something really significant to change your application I would recommend moving on to other schools. There was a reason you were rejected. You are not sure that reason hasn’t changed. There is a thread from some years back about Andison who applied to top schools and was rejected by all of them. After taking a gap year with some major activities he applied to a new set of (competitive) schools plus some of the old ones. He was rejected at the old ones again but made it into some others and happily went on his way.</p>
<p>For you to have a chance this time around, something significant would have had to change in your application other than being a year older. Otherwise, expect the same result. </p>
<p>Actually, this year nearly everything has changed. I have much better test scores, new ECs, wrote all new essays,… So I just dont know if they would compare this year’s to last year’s application</p>
<p>I think if your application is significantly improved they will give it a good hard look. But be sure to have some other schools lined up to apply to as well.</p>
<p>Thank you for your replies! I just don’t know since I have re-written all of my essays. So I’m not sure if this year colleges would compare my last year’s essays with the current ones</p>
<p>Be assured that they will know you already applied and were rejected. It doesn’t mean you don’t have a shot, but it does mean the odds are slim. I don’t think a brand new EC is going to fix anything. And new essays would be a must, if you sent the same ones that would be ridiculous so that’s expected. Apply if you want but set expectations low and concentrate on the list of other schools.</p>