<p>Hello, so I am planning to do something with journalism and film. I go to school in Europe and generally I am confident that I can get into an Ivy League (my first choice is Columbia). I have recently become interested in doing a 1 year journalism program in Abu Dhabi, which would mean I would go to university after that. Do you think I should apply to universities before I go to the program or after? Would Columbia or any other Ivy League accept me knowing that I went to the program after graduating as opposed to immediately going to university? </p>
<p>You may need to check if you will still be eligible for freshman admission after attending and if you are accepted then granted a year deferral, are permitted to enroll during your gap year.</p>
<p>Can get in and will get in are two separate issues. I’d say if you are confident then there is something not computing about the situation with Ivy admissions.</p>
<p>^ ITA with Brownparent: Unless you’re related to Royal Alumni or are a clear development case (ie., your parents can donate 1+million), I’m not sure how you can be confident - 75% applicants “can get in”, yet only about 3-5% internationals get in - that’s the level of competition for internationals. Even more a crapshoot than for other applicants.
Is the 1-year program in Abu Dhabi for college credit? If so, you would no longer be eligible for freshman admission; if admitted and asking for a year of deferral, you’d need to ask and make sure that enrolling in the program would be allowed, because otherwise you could get rescinded.
Finally, journalism is seen as vocational and thus isn’t offered at the undergrad level at most top 10 universities/LACs.</p>