So I love Dartmouth . . .

lizdarcy
Fri, 31 Jul 2009 05:49:49 +0000

HapaGirl,

I don’t know if you are open to this option, but have you considered deferring for a year once you are accepted into a college? Some schools, including Dartmouth, allow students to do so. I know a few people who’ve done so in order to work and save up for a year, and others who simply do so in order to explore a bit before going back to school. Either way, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who was unhappy after taking a gap year.

As a rising senior, I’m in the same position as you because money definitely factors into where I go to college. Though my parents say that they’ll do whatever they can, I don’t think I’d feel right about putting them into debt, especially in this economy. However, I’m still applying to the schools that I’m interested in, and I think you should, as well. You never know, everything could work out. Good luck!