Admissions chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z Barnard College
1

<p>I know these things are a huge nuisance, but I just thought I’d give it a shot… I’ve applied to Barnard regular decision and I really have no idea where I stand. So I suppose I’m just looking for some perspective, I’d appreciate any opinions…</p>

<p>So here goes nothing… </p>

<p>I have a 4.27 weighted GPA, I’m ranked 17 out of 550 something kids, that puts me in the top 3% of my class, if that means anything?</p>

<p>I’m an AP Scholar with distinction, scored pretty well on most of my AP tests. I’ve taken just about every AP class that exists at my school. I’ve also taken an extensive college curriculum at a local JC. I’ve racked up about 20 something credits there. </p>

<p>My SATs are lacking, I have a 690 CR 690 W, with a 12 on the essay and a 510 M (feel free to gasp). I took it multiple times and studied like crazy but I guess the SAT just wasn’t the test for me. Looking back I probably should have gone the ACT route but there isn’t much I can do about it now. </p>

<p>Would it be wrong to assume that my high AP scores would possibly compensate for my not so great SATs? </p>

<p>As far as extra-curriculars go, I’ve been involved in water polo for four years, I’m the opinions editor of my high school newspaper, I launched an independent literary magazine, I’m in MUN, I interned for a state assembly woman, I did a summer program for architecture and I spend quite a bit of time working on my art. </p>

<p>I feel that my essays were strong, and my recommendations should be pretty solid… Oh and my interview went well, or atleast that was the impression I was left with. </p>

<p>So, what do you guys think? Thanks for bearing with me.</p>

2

<p>I read your post on the Smith board too (I might've responded there as well). Unfortunately, I think Barnard has higher standards as far as SAT scores go than Smith. That being said, however, they definitely look for someone that will fit in at Barnard and is a good match. If your "why Barnard" essay was strong, it might make up for the not-so-hot SAT score. If you look back at past years, people with low SAT scores made it and those with high SATs didn't. It all depends on what they're looking for and if you come across as being a good fit for Barnard. Honestly, the whole thing's a crap shoot.</p>

3

<p>im so glad im not the only one who applied with a low math score. i dont feel so alone now...</p>

4

<p>bad, i'd definitely have to agree. it's driving me insane. i spose for now i'll just cross my fingers and leave it up to the admissions gods. thanks for the enthusiasm!</p>

5

<p>I think you have a good chance of getting in. Everything you listed sounds great....and I think Barnard will weigh the score on your math SAT against other factrs....</p>

<p>That being said, it all depends (as has already been said) on your essays and whether or not the adcom feels you would be a good fit for Barnard. Hopefully, you were able to make it clear that it was your first choice (if, indeed, it is). </p>

<p>Best to you!</p>

6

<p>My daughter (currently first year Barnard) had low math scores. She opted to submit her ACT instead of the SAT (where her math score was 580) -- but the ACT math was only 23 and pretty much brought the rest of the ACT composite down. You never know. </p>

<p>In hindsight, I know why my daughter got in: they looked at her strengths, not her weaknesses. She got into several other reach colleges to. My daughter had one of those lopsided profiles where she had some really great stuff but math & sciences were really weak, both in test scores and coursework.</p>

<p>In any case, there's nothing you can do right now but wait. I know that its hard -- but the apps are all in, I think you have a reasonable chance at Barnard but you never know. If it's any consolation -- I would say the same thing to someone who had 2300 on the SATs -- it's just a very competitive process, and it's a process of selection, not rejection. By that I mean that not getting in doesn't mean that there was something wrong with the application; it just means that the student didn't make the cut. </p>

<p>So -- as difficult as it is -- my parental advice is to take it easy, relax & have fun this month. I'm sure with your profile you are going to have some really great choices in April. I can't tell you whether you will get into Barnard or not, but I know from my own daughter's experience that you will get a fair read of your application, and they will not reject you merely because of one weak spot on your application.</p>

7

<p>Great response, Calmom.</p>

<p>And, I say "ditto"</p>