I did, but got rejected to all of my reaches 
but I was an international applicant then, but now I am Permanent Resident! I got another chance to do everything again, so I can’t complain.
That’s a good deal indeed! It’ll certainly help now that you’re not international (as much as I wish that weren’t true). I was rejected from all of my reaches last year, but that was only part if the reason I am reapplying. I’m doing Vassar ED so hopefully I’ll only have to send in one app this time 
Hey! I didn’t know this kind of thread existed for us gap year students This is cool!
Anyway, I’m taking a gap year as I got rejected everywhere I applied (I’m an international student asking for quite significant aid) and I’m hoping for a better outcome this admissions round.
For my gap year, I’m currently volunteering at an alternative Christian school and I’m helping out the students there with their academics as well as hanging out with them. I’m also maintaining the school facility, implementing my own ideas into the curriculum, leading everyday praise, and teaching English, math, and science classes. Additionally, I’m taking several courses at Coursera (right now, I’m taking “Understanding Violence” and “Sports and Society”.) and I’m continuing to learn French so I don’t forget it. Oh! And like you guys, I’m planning to write a novel or two during my gap year 
Writers unite!
Assuming from your profile picture, are you from Scotland? Good luck on Vassar ED! I’m doing Columbia ED this year - with my score improvement and finalizing my application, I hope to finish it once and for all haha
Cool! I hope God directs to you towards the right path! I took some courses on Coursera before, and it was pretty enlightening.
I’m a boring American, but I’m part Scottish and I’ve been there a couple summers ago and am going back in a couple days; I hope to live there in the future my ancestors are Clan Colquhoun
EDIT: good luck with Columbia! I would definitely be applying there if I weren’t terrified of cities, haha
I LOVE cities - New York City especially. So much to do, to see, and to experience.
I grew up in/currently live in a tiny farming town, so cities kind of overwhelm me… I LOVE Edinburgh, though… That’s the one city I’ve been to that I’ve felt comfortable in. I almost chose BU last year, but I decided that Boston was too terrifying…
@LAMuniv I fell in LOVE with Vassar last year. I would really like to reapply, but I heard colleges keep applicants’ files for three years just in case they reapply… Oh well.
I’m EDing to Duke. I really hope I get in.
I’m not much a city gal either, but at the same time, I don’t want to be stuck in a place where there’s nothing to do off campus.
@dancingwriter Coursera is the best. I’m taking a course on dinosaurs. I highly suggest the website Duolingo for languages. They have everything from Spanish to French to Irish.
@1sparkle2 I just checked out Duolingo and it’s pretty good. I think I’m going to use it. Thanks so much for suggesting it! Also, I just found out that my French grammar is just as bad as before lol.
I love Duolingo and Coursers I’m taking a class on EdX right now which is also good.
Free bump for the gap year-ers!
Haha, I took a mid-college gap year 20 years ago and I’ve been on it ever since. Funny how things go.
Currently I’m spending it working, running my own online business on the side, applying to colleges for Fall '15 and writing a book.
Another rah-rah for Duolingo. They have an excellent iOS app as well.
@dancingwriter Does Vassar really prohibit reapplications for 3 years?
@DreamSchlDropout They allow reapplications at any time, but I think what she’s saying is that if you were rejected from, say, a really bad essay or something last year, and you reapplied with a better essay, they’d still see their notes about your essay or may even have your former essay and can still take that into account when an applicant is reapplying - at least, that’s how I understand it.
It seems like everyone is writing a book/novel on their gap “year”… I love it
Speaking of which, does anyone know if the colleges refer back to the old application to see if the applicant has “improved”? If so, what are the factors of determination?
Ah, that makes sense. Of course, the corollary is that if you were right on the cusp of being admitted, they’d also have notes to that effect and it might help your case.
Yup! @LAMuniv is right I’m just scared about what kind of notes they might have in my file.
@DreamSchlDropout I’d still rather focus on other, new schools. Last year’s application is something I want to forget about haha I didn’t have a good experience. I was completely stressed out and freaking out all the way through and by the time decisions came out, I was sorely disappointed with the results.
BTW! I got my first acceptance letter from Temple University a couple days ago. I’m super excited! Hopefully, tomorrow I’ll find out whether or not I’ve got the full tuition scholarship
Hey, I’m taking a gap year too! In India for an internship the first three months then I’ll go home. I already got into school last year but am now trying to get a few more scholarships.
@dancingwriter Congratulations on your first acceptance!!
@flame7926 Welcome! What is your internship? That sounds like an amazing opportunity!