Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher and I'm usually a big fan of gap years (my own two oldest kids both took gap years and had great experiences), but as you probably know, the standard advice is to apply during your senior year and then take the break. I've known only a couple of kids who applied to college during gap years and outcomes were not optimal in either case. I'd say that's likely to be the case with you as well, particularly since you allude to some behavioral incidents at school. And you'll have to give up the UNC and UVA acceptances, you know. That's putting a lot on the roll of the dice (especially the Echols Scholarship -- congratulations on that!).

Moreover, as you acknowledge, you don't have a burning passion for taking a gap year. Your motivation is simply that you want to to take another shot at UofC. I do understand that UofC has a distinctive culture (although that's changing a bit) and for some students it might seem like the only place where they'll find their tribe. But UVA and UNC are both big schools with diverse student bodies -- you'll find your people on either campus.

Finally, and maybe most important, you need to get some distance from your family situation. You've already seen the damage it's causing you -- behavior problems at school, applications fouled up. Get out now, go to UVA and move on. If you get there and find that it's not the right fit culturally, work hard, get the best grades you can first year and then transfer -- you'll have a good shot at UofC, especially since the HS behavior will be farther in the past and you'll have recs from first-year profs at UVA.

Good luck and take care of yourself!

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the advice that it might actually be easier to get in as a transfer in this particular situation because a year at UVA would enable you to start with a clean slate and teacher recs that don’t have to try to explain away the discipline/attitude issues from high school.

DC has a friend who transferred from uva to u of c after freshman year. Data point of one, but it definitely can be done.

Anonymous wrote:show off and annoying

Anonymous wrote:Just to follow up on my earlier comment, if you apply as a transfer, you will still have your great test scores, ec’s, and class rank from high school on your side, but will have the added benefit of new teacher rec’s and demonstrated ability to succeed in college.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have the RD decisions come out yet? Why not wait until you hear a decision answer from Chicago?

But really getting deferred ED from Chicago may be a blessing in disguise. If you are already in at UVA and money is not an Issue, I say go there. Chicago would be 3x the cost and a divorce may muddy the financial waters as well over the next year. If so, you can apply for Aid at UVa which would be easier for years 2-4. And possibly take classes at nova cc.

I'm an Echols scholar, so I'll probably graduating in 2~3 years max. I have always wanted to go to Chicago and I don't care that much about paying 100000 off later (plan on going onto a high paying job; investment banking)

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the advice that it might actually be easier to get in as a transfer in this particular situation because a year at UVA would enable you to start with a clean slate and teacher recs that don’t have to try to explain away the discipline/attitude issues from high school.

DC has a friend who transferred from uva to u of c after freshman year. Data point of one, but it definitely can be done.

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher and I'm usually a big fan of gap years (my own two oldest kids both took gap years and had great experiences), but as you probably know, the standard advice is to apply during your senior year and then take the break. I've known only a couple of kids who applied to college during gap years and outcomes were not optimal in either case. I'd say that's likely to be the case with you as well, particularly since you allude to some behavioral incidents at school. And you'll have to give up the UNC and UVA acceptances, you know. That's putting a lot on the roll of the dice (especially the Echols Scholarship -- congratulations on that!).

Moreover, as you acknowledge, you don't have a burning passion for taking a gap year. Your motivation is simply that you want to to take another shot at UofC. I do understand that UofC has a distinctive culture (although that's changing a bit) and for some students it might seem like the only place where they'll find their tribe. But UVA and UNC are both big schools with diverse student bodies -- you'll find your people on either campus.

Finally, and maybe most important, you need to get some distance from your family situation. You've already seen the damage it's causing you -- behavior problems at school, applications fouled up. Get out now, go to UVA and move on. If you get there and find that it's not the right fit culturally, work hard, get the best grades you can first year and then transfer -- you'll have a good shot at UofC, especially since the HS behavior will be farther in the past and you'll have recs from first-year profs at UVA.

Good luck and take care of yourself!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have the RD decisions come out yet? Why not wait until you hear a decision answer from Chicago?

But really getting deferred ED from Chicago may be a blessing in disguise. If you are already in at UVA and money is not an Issue, I say go there. Chicago would be 3x the cost and a divorce may muddy the financial waters as well over the next year. If so, you can apply for Aid at UVa which would be easier for years 2-4. And possibly take classes at nova cc.

I'm an Echols scholar, so I'll probably graduating in 2~3 years max. I have always wanted to go to Chicago and I don't care that much about paying 100000 off later (plan on going onto a high paying job; investment banking)

"I don't care much about paying 100000"

- you can plan all you want about a high paying job, but that is a serious amount of debt.

Here's what you know about yourself: 1) when you were 17, you handled pressure poorly, acted out and made your troubles worse, and undermined any opportunities for better recs.. 2) you have no plan for your gap year. 3) You don't have much money.


I don't hold out much hope that this gap year will achieve miracles.

Sounds to me like you should just go to UVA. UC will still be there for grad school. I truly hope you weren't expecting your poor mom to cosign those loans.

sparky wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have the RD decisions come out yet? Why not wait until you hear a decision answer from Chicago?

But really getting deferred ED from Chicago may be a blessing in disguise. If you are already in at UVA and money is not an Issue, I say go there. Chicago would be 3x the cost and a divorce may muddy the financial waters as well over the next year. If so, you can apply for Aid at UVa which would be easier for years 2-4. And possibly take classes at nova cc.

I'm an Echols scholar, so I'll probably graduating in 2~3 years max. I have always wanted to go to Chicago and I don't care that much about paying 100000 off later (plan on going onto a high paying job; investment banking)

"I don't care much about paying 100000"

- you can plan all you want about a high paying job, but that is a serious amount of debt.

Here's what you know about yourself: 1) when you were 17, you handled pressure poorly, acted out and made your troubles worse, and undermined any opportunities for better recs.. 2) you have no plan for your gap year. 3) You don't have much money.


I don't hold out much hope that this gap year will achieve miracles.

Sounds to me like you should just go to UVA. UC will still be there for grad school. I truly hope you weren't expecting your poor mom to cosign those loans.

Money isn't a concern here. My mom's family is pretty well off