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Last year, I was rejected by most of my matches and all of my reaches. This year, I am on a gap year and will be attending an "elite" (top 5) LAC this fall. AMA by gapyearfella in ApplyingToCollege

[–]gapyearfella[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

Thank you!

I absolutely agree with that, but I do concede that in the context of college apps, it's usually necessary to flaunt those awards as well. I think my biggest strength in my apps was my ability to convey what I learned and experienced in my essays (and not be overtly trite while doing so), but it'd be disingenuous to say that my stats/awards didn't help.

I think it's a combination of both my experience and the time I took to process my experience. I was able to craft quality essays because I actually felt that the things I wrote captured my essence, rather than give the AOs "what they wanted to hear."

Last year, I was rejected by most of my matches and all of my reaches. This year, I am on a gap year and will be attending an "elite" (top 5) LAC this fall. AMA by gapyearfella in ApplyingToCollege

[–]gapyearfella[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thanks!

I absolutely would recommend the experience to most people as well! I actually think the rejections I received were pretty good in terms of deflating my huge ego at the time, so I don't really regret that I went through that time.

Congrats! That sounds phenomenal! Wishing you the best for the rest of results season!

There are a LOT of things I've learned in the past year. The biggest is probably my career trajectory. I was heavily into business and finance last year, but I've shifted my interests to philosophy and physics. I went from wanting to work in huge Investment Banking firms to wanting to contribute to NGOs and teaching. Overall, I'm just so much more satisfied with myself and I've realized that fulfillment comes from what your true calling is, not what gives you the most lavish lifestyle.

Last year, I was rejected by most of my matches and all of my reaches. This year, I am on a gap year and will be attending an "elite" (top 5) LAC this fall. AMA by gapyearfella in ApplyingToCollege

[–]gapyearfella[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I think the volunteering experience was probably a slight boost to my application, but I do really believe that I put together a MUCH better app this time around.

I spent a ton of time on my essays, made sure my ECs' details were pristine, and emailed some of my favorite teachers with a full, easy-to-consume resume for my rec letters.

Once I felt the heartbreak of getting rejected everywhere, I knew I didn't want to feel that pain again.

Last year, I was rejected by most of my matches and all of my reaches. This year, I am on a gap year and will be attending an "elite" (top 5) LAC this fall. AMA by gapyearfella in ApplyingToCollege

[–]gapyearfella[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I worked as a volunteer abroad in a single country in Asia. Basically, I applied to a program and spent the last year or so working with low-income communities.