College Admissions Consulting A Discussion on Gap Years and International Admissions Written by Abigail Andersonon May 24th, 2016 I joined College Coach after working in independent school and college admissions. At the collegiate level, I evaluated thousands of applications and managed more than 20 student workers and 200 alumni interview volunteers. I recruited in, and read applications for, multiple domestic and international recruitment territories, including all of New England and the Mid-Atlantic, Europe, and the Americas. I also worked with and evaluated transfer applicants. Committed to increasing college access and demystifying the college application process, I collaborated with colleagues across institutions to develop free, accessible programming for high school juniors wanting to jumpstart the application process and improve their essay skills. My passion has always aligned with working directly with high school students; I started my career in admissions at a highly-selective all-girls’ boarding school. While there, I recruited students throughout New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and California. I oversaw multicultural and first-generation student recruitment, participated in both admission and financial aid committees, and assisted in residence hall management. Learn More About Abigail gap year, getting in, international students, In the May 12th episode of “Getting In: A College Coach Conversation,” guest host Ian Fisher welcomed three unique perspectives to discuss three very different topics. Should I Take a Gap Year? Earlier this month, Malia Obama announced that she’ll be taking a gap year before heading off to college, thus sparking many people to ask, “What is a gap year and should I also consider taking one?” College Coach admissions expert Kara Courtois joined Ian to discuss what a gap year is and the many reasons why a student might choose to take one. Most importantly, the duo discussed how to go about researching, planning, and requesting a gap year. Applying to US Universities as an International Student In the second segment of this week’s show, Steve Brennan joined Ian to share insight into, and tips for, applying to US colleges and universities from abroad. It’s important to recognize, as Steve shared, that “In the rest of the world (generally) you take a test, you get a score, and then there is a list of schools you can go to [based on those scores]. Here in the US, there is such a strong emphasis on the non-objective parts of the criteria.” Students applying from abroad will benefit from listening to Steve and Ian discuss the differences in international applications, the best steps to take when applying to US universities, and the best timeline to follow to ensure success. Financial Aid FAQs In the third and final segment, college finance expert Kathy Ruby answered listener questions. In her response to the seemingly straightforward question, “Does a high need for financial aid hinder acceptance?” Kathy covered everything from how need-aware and need-blind admissions work, to the way the evaluation process might change from “no problem” to “reach” school applications. Kathy also answered questions about negotiating financial aid packages, developing a financially strategic list of schools to which to apply, and the best resources for researching scholarships. Be sure to tune in to this week’s episode of “Getting In: A College Coach Conversation” to learn why students should study abroad and how to pay for it, as well as expert opinions on the new Coalition Application. Listen live on Thursday at 4 PM EDT. Related Resources Read | Posted on April 16th, 2024 Understanding Direct Admission: A Pathway to Success Read | Posted on April 10th, 2024 Acceptance by Emi Nietfeld; Why You Should Fill out the FAFSA Read | Posted on April 9th, 2024 Community Colleges with Campus Housing
