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OKAY, so maybe you just weren't ready to make a decision. Perhaps something else was distracting you. Whatever the reason, the time just slipped away. Now you're late. You've missed the deadlines for applying to the colleges that interest you, and according to the timetable at the guidance office, you blew it.

Well, don't give up - there is still hope for getting in. And besides, some people who didn't complete the application process on time find they're actually better off. Missing the deadline slows them down at a time when everything else is trying to push them toward a quick decision.

Don't Give Up
"All is not lost," says Nancy Brown, a Career information specialist at Sherwood High School, Olney, MD. "There are plenty of options, including taking a breather, which is just what some students need."

Brown and other guidance counselors urge students to consider schools in the winter of their junior year, visit them during spring break, and make their final decision over the summer and in the fall - so they can apply before the first of the year. Many schools have December deadlines. But if you missed them, there's still hope, depending on the schools to which you want to apply.

Gwynne Lynch, a regional director for admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, points out the extreme selectivity factor for a student applying on Penn's deadline. Only 2,400 students are admitted out of 16,000 applications. "It is very competitive at some schools, so I can't imagine the circumstances under which students applying [late] in March, would be accepted, no matter what their record is." She points out, however, that there are many lesser-known yet high-quality schools that might still have openings well past the first of the year.

Brown agrees, and says applying late is always worth a try. Some schools have rolling admissions without firm deadlines, meaning they accept applications until the class is full.

Stay Local
Regional campuses for larger schools are also an option. If you're a latecomer, most big colleges have several branch campuses where you're more likely to get accepted, says Jerry Ripke, assistant director of admissions at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. "Unfortunately, we always have a number of qualified students who send us applications too late. The first thing we recommend is [they enroll in] our regional campuses for at least a semester. It's easy to transfer later."

If you've been successful on a branch campus, attending the main campus is usually automatic. Even if you've started late, there are still good options for attending college next fall, Brown says. "First see your guidance counselor," he advises. "Then get in touch with the schools that interest you to see about availability."

Wait It Out
Another option, adds Martha Wiseman, a guidance counselor at Carl Sandburg High School, Orland Park, IL, is waiting a year. Many schools will even recommend some community College Courses to take in the meantime.

There is also hope for those students taking part-time courses at community colleges, says Colleen Hillmeyer, director of admissions at the University of Denver, Denver, CO. There are often openings at DU earlier in the following semester, she explains, pointing out that with a freshman class of about 1,000, she expects 30 to 40 students to drop out. The school is eager to replace those missing students.

But, it's still smart to get applications in as soon as possible, she insists. "We counsel students about what courses to take at a local college so that they can be up-to-speed. That way, you aren't wasting any time."

Wiseman worries, however, that some students get too comfortable once they're able to earn money from a full-time job. She urges students to avoid making major purchases (like a new car), during this time, because it might force them to stay committed to a job.

"If you take this route, don't take on any long-term, big debt," she says. "That discourages you from doing what you set out to do. Keep in mind that this is just a temporary thing, and that your goal is college."

Go
Brown recommends that students who miss the enrollment timetable wait the year out and enter in the fall. It's easier to start when the campus is set up to accommodate new faces and everyone else is starting fresh, she reasons. Plus, it gives the student more time to think things through.

Wiseman agrees. "Having a year off changes the way one thinks, but it's important that students challenge themselves."

Some students take an intentional year off - their "gap year" - to explore life before attending college. One of Lynch's students taking a gap year is preparing for the Olympics, and another is studying rainforests.

Ripke doesn't think students who postpone college are at a disadvantage. "I wouldn't say they're behind academically," he assures. "Sometimes students need time to prioritize their goals." In fact, he adds, "some of these students tend to do much better [than others] once they begin college."

Lynch agrees. "I've found that kids who are seriously interested in attending college won't settle for less. They will come around - sometimes with a better frame of mind."

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