There’s a decent amount here that doesn’t ring true.
Some of us follow big time college football recruiting, while the OP evidently doesn’t.
@Lindagaf What is the problem? I don’t fit the stereotype of a brain-dead, barely passing football player so I’m a phony? Tell that to Richard Sherman, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and countless other football players who valued academia and knowledge and yet made lives playing the great game of football. The only thing I will apologize for is using salutations, which I agree was immature of me. Besides that, unfortunately, I know there is nothing else I can say that will sway your opinions on me or the “phoniness” of my real situations, so thanks again, I guess.
Just to make it clear, I’m aware of my overly formal and borderline incoherent original post and am embarrassed I cannot take it down or atleast some of the rhetoric and verbiage out. In all honesty, I signed up to CC to make sense of what I really had “accomplished” by my admittance into schools that are no longer viable options, given my now disclosed predicaments, and if there was any hope I could transfer to Stanford in the future, not to “author a screenplay”. Trust me, I lack the vision to accomplish that feat, something that will (hopefully) improve in time.
To reiterate what I said before, I completed my application process ALONE. Without any caring guidance counselors or, for that matter, caring parents. They still don’t know about half of my acceptances and expect me to set up for college alone. I wish I could say my college admissions process was crystal clear and I had no problems along the way, but sadly that is not the case.
I am incredibly grateful for the assistance @ucbalumnus and a few others have provided me. I made many mistakes, some I could have easily avoided had I done more research on my part or, perhaps, had a second pair of eyes to guide me throughout the process.
Nevertheless, my dilemma remains at large. My college opportunies are anything but that. I am very limited in my current options, and am debating whether I should ask my parents to take a gap year.
So, to shift away from the original question, If anyone can provide me insights into the process and valuable info. on programs and EC’s that I can participate in to showcase my desire for engineering, please let me know. I feel taking a gap year may be in my best interests and will allow me a second chance, with guidance from the helpful community that is CC, to apply to colleges that “love me back”, as someone mentioned earlier.
@ucbalumnus Thank you for clarifying the buzz surrounding PhD’s for engineers. I am still debating between the mechanical or software disciplines, so I still need to decide on which field of engineering I will pursue first, but the info. on further education beyond bachelors is greatly appreciated.
You did an amazing job completing the process alone, look at the incredible colleges you got into. But you can’t afford them, and all your angst is over one college. And I don’t think you would have a problem writing a screenplay. You certainly have the vocabulary for it, and the requisite flair for drama. If you are for real and your story is too, then I am sorry for doubting you. It all seems pretty unbelievable, and you are overreacting. Your choice is clear. Go to Buffalo, because it seems to be your only viable option. You will get a fine education.
P.S. If you really want to take your post down by the way, you can always flag it and ask the moderators to help you out.
The world needs ditch diggers too.
Have you considered posting this to the Stanford thread. I’m sure people there can help you make the case you should be admitted immediately. Maybe they will start a pep rally for you.
One of the students has posted “Ask me anything?”
Well go ahead. Ask him!
@Lindagaf So is taking a gap year not viable and / or useful? I was hoping, since next year my uncle said he would assist me with my loans, and given I can only really attend UB, that I could utilize the gap year to drive my credentials / ECs and apply to much more suitable schools. If I can get enough info on gap years and whether they truly work, I will consider doing that over UB, as I know I can get into much better schools, ones that will be cheaper than the “big name” schools I applied to previously and have my intended major. I’m hearing UMD has a fantastic engineering program and a great overall student populace, but alas, I can’t apply now.
And, I apologize for my earlier comments. If this thread is still credible and not completely derailed, I intend on shifting the focus to the discussion of gap year and how I can utilize it to get me back on track. And, yes, unfortunately, this is the life I have. I sincere believe, however, that this humbling experience, being both mocked and provided wisdom by individuals who already moved past college admissions to do great things, is a true step in the right direction. Time will tell.
@ClassicRockerDad A man can dream, but even I, ~15 hours removed from my overexaggerating and embarrassing OP, know that isn’t plausible.
@8bagels But my knack for vocabulary and requisite flair suggests I can, at least, be a screenplay writer.
“But my knack for vocabulary and requisite flair suggests I can, at least, be a screenplay writer.”
That’s a nice hobby, but it won’t work to make a living, obviously.
zigalo: “Hey movie studio, I wrote an awesome screenplay, wanna buy it?”
Studio guy: “Sure, let’s take a look. But first things first, did you go to Stanford?”
z: “Umm . . . no.”
S: (slowly shakes head and points to door without looking up) “Get out.”
I took multiple gap semesters. I wanted to travel. I had no plan. I eventually graduated in six years. I had a lot of fun and in my case, my decision to travel changed my life. For me, it was the best thing I could have done. I think there is a lot to be said for taking a gap year with a goal in mind. You are going to have to do what works for you.
If it’s any help, I went to a middling college. I got a fairly useless degree. To reuse an earlier quote, I now live in a nice house, with nice kids, nice husband and nice pets. My life is pretty good, but I have mostly bumbled along accidentally. I definitely don’t think it is imperative to go to a good college. I think your life is what you make of it. In my case, I reckon I have turned out alright because I didn’t do stupid things. I stayed out of trouble. I had friends. I worked, saved, travelled, and lived normally. I like to have fun whenever possible. It’s good enough for me.
@Lindagaf Just what I needed to hear. I plan on taking the gap year to revitalize my interest for STEM and learning, and, hopefully, roll the dice on more cost-efficient, yet respectful colleges. The last six frantic and tumultuous months, coupled with not being able to move properly for a few of them, really teared down my aspirations and all of my hard work from the past three years. I’m hoping the gap year will help me refocus on realistic priorities and get me back on track.
Thank you again for all of the insights. It’s amazing to hear what you accomplished with taking a year off and exploring the world!
Any other advise for someone looking to take a gap year? Should I just create a new discussion and put this one aside?
@8bagels Yep. Hard to believe, in my emotional state last night, I said such preposterous things along the lines of that.
@8bagels , lmao! And Zig, I didn’t take a year off, I took different semesters off. 2 years worth. As in, “hey, time to sign up for next semester. But wait, I have $2000 in my account. I think I will go to Australia instead.” So I did. That may not necessarily be the wisest plan, but it worked for me.
Yes, create a new discussion about gap,years, but do a search first, lots of threads about it. Don’t start your new discussion with Salutations.
I’ve never understood why some people are so dead set on attending a college when that college has explicitly stated that they do not want you. It’s like a person begging to be with their ex when they ex is married and has committed themselves to someone that is not you.
You have to be realistic about the schools you would aim for. UMD has only a few rare competitive full ride scholarships; the chance of earning one is very small. Would you give up a year just to chase such scholarships? On the other hand, if some of the automatic full rides for your stats are preferable to you over Buffalo, you may find a gap year more suitable.
@Lindagaf Will do. Thank you again!
@ucbalumnus The latter is the case. My uncle decided he would help pay for colleges after he returns from overseas next year. The hope is, with a gap year and admission into colleges in which he would be willing to consign and pay for, UMD and other locations like Purdue, Georgia Tech, etc. would become viable. Thank you again for all of the help!
I think you need to confirm with that uncle before letting go of Buffalo. Heaven forbid if he doesn’t come through.
It’s not because you’re “smart” (though I don’t equate intellect and sesquipedalianism). It’s because the problems you have with your recruitment don’t seem to align with someone who has been offered a D1, albeit FCS, scholarship.
@Lindagaf I am positive. He, in fact, sent me the money to pay for my applications (another thing my parents assumed I would need to do alone … only got to apply to six colleges because of this…) and was opposed to me applying to schools besides UB (Therefore, not a viablescapegoat for Stanford, lol) because he rightfully knew my parents wouldn’t contribute financially. He decided recently, seeing that I can’t go to any of the higher end schools I was accepted into, that he would contribute next year and was actually OK with the idea of taking a gap year when I called him earlier today. God bless him.
But how much did he say that he will contribute each year for four years?
He is currently employed as a lawyer, sharing time in both California and Nevada. He said “whatever you need for you to succeed”, but I couldn’t imagine him going over 50k a year. He is alone without family, and finds time to travel around the US and abroad, so I know he is in good financial standing. @ucbalumnus