I was planning to take a gap year since I didn’t get accepted into any universities in the US. However, I recently received an acceptance from Bocconi University in Milan, which is one of the best universities for my field in Europe. The undergraduate program there is only three years, so I would save two years compared to studying for four years in the US plus an additional gap year. Now, I’m unsure whether to commit to Bocconi.
Studying in the US has been a long-time dream of mine, and I’m feeling very conflicted. I really want to take a gap year and try applying to US universities again. If it doesn’t work out, I could apply to Bocconi next year. But I want to be realistic. I’ve seen much stronger international applicants get rejected from every college in the US.
Could someone DM me so I can share my application details and get advice on whether it’s realistic to apply to US universities with my current application? Maybe taking a gap year is a waste of time because my application is too weak, especially since I need significant financial aid. Committing to Bocconi might be the wiser choice in my case.
Sounds like you have a great acceptance at a university that is very strong in your area of study-- I’d go to Bocconi University for sure. IMO it is better to start college and move forward with your life.
As you have learned it is incredibly difficult for even a very well qualified international student needing significant aid to get an affordable acceptance to a US college. As I see it,you gave it a shot and now it is time to move forward with the excellent option you have.
What happens if you apply again and you are rejected again? Are you going to continue to apply to US universities asking for financial aid? Money is tight at the US universities. Costs continue to go up.
Each year, each university builds a class based on incoming profiles. No one knows their formulas, but they try to configure a cohesive class.
You’re asking for financial aid and they may not be able to offer it to you.
How many times will you try?
Take your chance at Bocconi; it sounds like the right thing for you.
It sounds like you have an excellent opportunity at Bocconi. Take it. You can look for other opportunities in the States – perhaps a semester exchange, grad school, or a summer work visa in a vacation area that has nothing to do with academics.
I find myself in the same dilemma as you.
I am from eastern europe and i applied to a lot of us colleges and got into NYU and bentley. NYU would have been my dream but i did not receive enough scholarship (still had to pay 32k which wouldn’t have been feasible unless i got into debt) I have also an offer from bocconi with full tuition scholarship and i don’t kbow what to do. Studying in the us has been my dream since 9th grade and i feel like i was so close to reaching it. bocconi is a good european university but i find it hard to be very excited ab studying there. i was thinking ab a gap year but i don’t want to gamble with my future as you do that when you decide to apply only in the us. i would really like to talk with you more on this. let me know if you made a decision by now.