How will being a Gap Year Student affect my Chances?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I just graduated High School in June and I’m in the process of taking a Gap Year. I plan to re-apply to the University of Michigan for the Fall 2013 school year. I originally applied for admissions to the Fall 2012 Term, directly after High School, and I was accepted. However, I became too stressed with High School, College, Sports, Financial Aid, friends, and family tragedies all requiring my energy. I decided that it was best to put College on a temporary hold so I wouldn’t go insane. Was that a good idea? Maybe, Maybe Not. </p>

<p>My question is: Do I still have a good chance at being accepted into the University of Michigan? Keep in mind that I was already accepted for the Fall 2012 School Year; I just won’t be attending. Here’s a few factors worth considering that will differentiate myself today from myself in January when I originally applied.</p>

<p>I will be re-taking the ACT Test just to make myself a bit more attractive (and for fun). When I was accepted, my best score was only a 28 which is fairly low for the University of Michigan. When I take the test again this October, I expect to break into the thirties considering I’ll have a lot more free time to study. Also, my writing has improved immensely compared to when I originally applied, so my essays will be much better. And finally, I was the 2012 Detroit City Champion in the 800m Meter Run for Track & Field. I don’t plan on running for the U-M Track Team (I’m actually pretty slow; I just had extremely weak competition), but I think this will at least showcase my work-ethic and dedication.</p>

<p>So, the difference between myself now to myself in January - when I was originally accepted: </p>

<ul>
<li>Higher ACT Score (Most Likely)</li>
<li>Better writing, so better essays</li>
<li>Track & Field City Champion</li>
<li>and, obviously, I won’t be a High School Senior </li>
</ul>

<p>P.S. Will I have to go back to my High School to obtain recommendations? I know this probably depends on each school, but I’m hoping other Gap Year Students may have some useful experience here.</p>

<p>Do I have a good chance at getting accepted (again)? </p>

<p>Feel free to leave any questions. I’ll try to answer them quickly.</p>

<p>EDIT: Also, I’m not sure how significant this will be, but I’m black. I’ve heard many times that U-M is a bit lenient on minorities. I’m not sure how true that statement is, though. If it’s complete bollocks, then disregard this paragraph completely.</p>

2

<p>Depends on what you’ve been doing for the gap year. If you’ve been keeping yourself occupied in some way, it won’t be a big deal. If you’ve just been sitting around… yeah, people will think that’s a bit weird.</p>

<p>Yes, you’ll have to go get recommendations from your high school. You apply in exactly the same way as you did last time.</p>

3

<p>ask if they can pospone admission for a year–that way you wont have to reapply, unless it’s too late. if you already paid the deposit, it shouldnt’ be too late. you should be able to get in, but keep in mind you will be assesed in a new pool of applicants, so the criteria and competition may be higher or lower depending on the new application pool for the 2013 year. try to keep you’re activities up during your gap year and try to apply EARLY ACTION.</p>

<p>i’m in the same boat as you–i have to take a gap year and will re apply to some schools i already got into. PM me and maybe we could work together!! this is an issue that isn’t as common as i thought–reapplying to a school you already got into. </p>

<p>the teachers that wrote you reccomendations last year will hopefully still have them on file. they might have to tweak them a bit, but hopefully they won’t see it as such a big deal. you should tell them asap so they can have it ready and saved.</p>

<p>P.S. i am black and will be reapplying to UM too haha :)</p>