Is it worth is to reapply?

gardenstategal
Sat, 17 Jul 2021 10:55:58 +0000

Since you asked about a gap year – not transferring – what are you planning to do during that year that is going to make such a big different to your application? If you have something amazing lined up, maybe your strategy could work. But if it’s doing something more "ordinary " and reapplying, it’s less likely. Those schools are not likely to have dramatically different admissions profiles next year.

It’s impressive that you were WL at all those schools. Is it possible that a bit of serendipity could have changed just one of those WL to an acceptance? Yes. Is it likely that reapplying will bring you that serendipity? No.

Anecdotally, several years ago, a friend’s D was accepted at a number of schools including Yale. She wanted to transfer for her sophomore year (with an excellent record.) Several of the schools that had accepted her before accepted her again. Yale, however, did not. It’s easy to think that if you were on the cusp, it’ll change for the better. But that’s not always so.

You are better off starting at USC and giving it your all and trying to transfer if all your best efforts show it to be a terrible fit. Know, however, that few of those schools take many transfers.

Good luck to you!