seafoodlover

Reach, Match, Safety. You have to spread the risk.

Now....DONT PANIC. If you dont want to take a gap year, then get cracking as in IMMEDIATELY and look for schools that have rolling admissions or late admissions...there are literally HUNDREDS of them ..some of them wonderful schools like Clemson which takes applications until May 1 I believe.

Focus on schools that FIT YOUR SCORES and profile...and stop dreaming and stop worrying about the past and what could have been. Look ONLY forward.

It will all work out. The WORST case is you attend a school for a year and then transfer.

But there are LOTS of rolling admissions schools.....some of them quite prestigious and LOTS of fun.

GET TO WORK.

Narcissa

lmao...like Rory from Accepted who only applied to Yale =)

OneMom

I also recommend looking at the NACAC list. Every year, there are plenty of good schools listed with openings. If you can find one that suits you, it would be the best thing. In my opinion, it would be better than trying a CC or gap year. The list probably has not been posted yet, because it's still March and many schools don't know how their admissions went until late April or early May. Looking at schools with ongoing rolling admissions and schools with January admissions is also a good thing. Some large public schools, such as U Maryland College Park, have large numbers of students starting in January. January admissions are often less competitive, too.

premed123

A couple friends of mine took a year off and climbed the Appalachian Trial (the whole thing) by themselves - and in the winter, too! This is an option to consider.

I would look for a fulltime job in a law firm or somewhere your son could get good, solid letters of recommendation. Colleges won't look down their noses at gap years - many people need them to mature after high school. Oh, and be wiser when selecting your schools

nysmile

Who applies to only one school? Perhaps he really doesn't want to go to college or doesn't feel that he's ready to leave home. Get a job and attend the local community college. If he does well and enjoys school, start the admissions process again as a transfer. If he doesn't do well, learn a trade or find a job with the possiblility of advancement (union job, etc). Help him find his path.

mariusz360

Community college is always an option. If your son/daughter is willing to spare 2 years rather than one, Columbia University has an amazing program in which pre-engineering majors at community college can transfer to Columbia during columbia's junior year and complete earn a bachelor's degree in a type of engineering. Ofcourse your son/daughter may not be interested in engineering but this just proves that there are plenty of options.

Happymom08

I'm betting the kids that didn't get into UM are Maryland residents in counties that send a lot of kids to Maryland. Since Maryland has tons of state schools, UM only takes the cream of the crop, and seems to have a love of potential science majors. A school I know is in the country, not so good, and tons of people apply to MD every year, and tons get rejected, and they act shocked, as though they though 20 percent of their graduating class should be able to attend as freshmen, knocking others out. If you really want Maryland, get an apt. in Garrett or Wicomico counties and go to those CC's(or that other county on the Eastern shore) and send your app in from there next year; your chances will be much greater than if you're coming from Howard, Montgomery, or Baltimore Ctys. OR move to the city and go to the Baltimore City CC. Same deal, your stats will be the best, not just one of the best.

dudedad

I couldn't find the historic list of 2007 openings but as carolyn as others have suggested check out the NACAC - Home page site on May 1:
NACAC 2007 Space Availability Survey Fact Sheet 1 of 2
FACT SHEET
NACAC 2007 Space Availability
Survey: Openings for Qualified
Students
================================================== =============
NACAC 2007 Space Availability Survey on the Web: NACAC - Home page
Survey in Brief: NACAC’s annual “Space Availability Survey: Openings for Qualified
Students” polls NACAC’s member colleges and universities each year to determine
whether institutions can still accommodate applications for prospective students for fall
enrollment after the May 1 National Response Deadline. In 2007, 292 colleges and
universities had either freshman or transfer space available after May 1.
Number of Colleges With…
• Freshman space available: 263
• Transfer space available: 292
• Financial Aid available: 293
• Housing available: 277
Frequently Asked Questions
1.) Has the number of colleges with space available after May 1 increased or
decreased over the years?
353 345 338
303
337
258 257
292
0
100
200
300
400
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Colleges with Space Available After May 1: 2000-2007.
2.) Is space on four-year college campuses in the United States increasingly
scarce?
• While there have been progressively fewer respondents over the past five
years, it is difficult to definitively answer this question based on the results
of this survey. The survey is voluntary, and the population of potential
respondents is limited to roughly 1,400 NACAC member colleges (leaving
at least 1,000 four-year colleges unaccounted).
NACAC 2007 Space Availability Survey Fact Sheet 2 of 2
3.) How many colleges and universities are there in the United States?
• According to the U.S. Department of Education, there are 2,533 four-year
colleges and universities, and 1,683 two-year colleges.
4.) How do students apply for admission at institutions listed on the survey?
• Students must contact institutions directly for application information.
Listing on the survey implies only space available. Admission is
contingent upon each institution’s review of application information.
5.) What percent of colleges listed on the survey are public/private colleges?
• 74 percent of colleges on the 2007 survey are private, and 26 percent are
public.
6.) Are two-year colleges included on the survey?
• Community colleges are not included on the survey.
7.) How long will the survey be available to students?
• The survey will remain on NACAC’s Web page (NACAC - Home page) until
early August. Throughout the summer, institutions listed on the survey are
asked to update their availability information. Students are advised to
contact the colleges directly for the most up-to-date information.
Survey Description
NACAC’s 2007 Space Availability Survey: Openings for Qualified Students queries
NACAC member postsecondary institutions on the availability of space, institutional
financial aid, and housing as of May 1. This date is significant because applicants who
have received acceptances from colleges and universities have until May 1 of each year
to accept the offer of admission from the institution they choose to attend. After May 1,
colleges and universities are able to assess whether they will have space to
accommodate further applications from potential students. Now in its 20th year, the
Space Availability Survey is designed as a tool for counselors, parents, and teachers as
they assist students who have not yet completed the college admission process.
About NACAC
NACAC is an Alexandria, VA-based education association of more than 9,800
secondary school counselors, independent counselors, college admission and financial
aid officers, enrollment managers, and organizations that work with students as they
make the transition from high school to postsecondary education. The association,
founded in 1937, is committed to maintaining high standards that foster ethical and
social responsibility among those involved in the transition process, as outlined in the
NACAC Statement of Principles of Good Practice. More information about NACAC is
available at NACAC - Home page.

Happy late decision hunting!!!!!

ctmomof3

My first thought is with all due respect who in their right mind allows their child to apply to ONE school? Especially considering this was the biggest turnout of college applications of any year and considered to be the most competitive year to date! Surely any decent advisor would share this with the parents/students if they didnt' know already! I just don't get it....

CountingDown

I think this is a link from an old column that Sally wrote and it's been reposted so people in a similar boat can get some ideas...

gibbusoft

I had a 1650 on my SAT. Didn't give the SAT II. Had a 3.71 high school GPA.

Got into University of Maryland College Park

Roger_Dooley

Actually, it's a new column but the question is one that's repeated every year (unfortunately!).

LAGator

Just wanted to mention that Louisiana State University is looking for good out-of-state students - and they sometimes offer a decent amount of money as well. Check out their site if y'all are looking for the large State Flagship experience. I believe the application deadline for Fall and Summer is April 15th.

CountingDown

Thanks for clarifying!

swimcatsmom

Am I misunderstanding the original first 2 posts? I thought it was actually the mods posting to give a link of suggestions of what can be done should this situation arise - not an actual situation that has happened (though I am sure it does).