<p>Hey all, I’m a junior in high school from California… Taken up a huge interest in Barnard lately. I’ve yet to visit; I’m attending Columbia’s high school program this summer in July (for creative writing) so I intend to take a good look at Barnard because I’m pretty sure it’s my first choice.</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me (preferably from experience) about what it’s like to be in an all girls environment? The whole concept turned me off for a while because I’m definitely into lots of guy-oriented socializing, but I do figure that the connection with Columbia along with the actual physical location of the college won’t hinder that all too much. But still… some insight into that would be cool!!</p>
<p>And while we’re at it… I’ll just post some of my stats to see what you guys, the experts, think…</p>
<p>Cumulative GPA so far - 4.5… 4.83 last semester
Class rank - 13/258
SAT’s (working on it, only took it once) - 1900 (690,620,590). Hoping to bring it up to about a 2020, each score by 40/50 points. (This is my weak spot)
Extra-curriculars -
*drummer in two very serious san francisco bands, played over 100 big concerts, major radio airplay, on an independent label, 2 full length albums, music video, been on tv, lots of articles written… etc.
*editor of school paper, interned at county wide paper and wrote for another local paper as a “teen columnist”
*900 hours of community service (600 in a teen center/concert venue and 300 as a counselor in training)
*1st place in the county and 2 most valuable female player for shot put and discus on our track and field team
*will be attending Columbia University’s program this summer, all July…</p>
<p>Yeah. Sorry. Didn’t mean to take up this entire page. But any advice helps … thanks a lot everyone.</p>
<p>Welcome, drums! I love that you play in a band as my son is also on that road...</p>
<p>My d is finishing her second year at Barnard so I am speaking from that perspective. Barnard manages to present all of the great things about an all-women environment (support, encouragement, attitude) without being in actuality "all-women". Most of your classes will have men in them. See past threads for more info as this is probably the most commonly asked question. </p>
<p>As for your chances, your grades and EC's look good to me. As you said, SAT's could certainly stand to be better but Barnard is great about looking at the entire person. Please consider, though, that it is increasingly competitive for admissions and select a range of schools to apply to that appeal to you.</p>
<p>I think the thing with Barnard that isn't true for many all women's colleges is that it doesn't really seem like all-girls, because of the Colmbia connection, and the fact that it's in New York. I go to an all girls high school right now, but my choice in Barnard wasn't because I wanted to stay in the same environment; the reason I chose Barnard was because it was a liberal arts college in the only place I wanted to be. I think a certain type of person wants to go to the school, and if you think it's your first choice, go with it.</p>
<p>I think you have a good chance. My SATs were about the same as yours, and I chose to take the ACT, which I did okay on. SAT scores aren't primary in the decision process. I think if you play up your other stuff, like your music, and the fact that you are the editor of your school newspaper and you frthered that by doing an intership (I did the same, only I'm editor of the yearbook and I interned at a well known magazine).</p>
<p>Churchmusicmom described it perfectly - at Barnard, women are celebrated in every way imaginable, and it's great to feel that empowerment every day. At the same time, we have alot of contact with guys via Columbia and the city, so they're always around. </p>
<p>I also think you have a good shot. I think Barnard is pretty good at seeing past the great GPA's and test scores to assess whether or not you will be a great fit for the school or not. In you application, I would suggest working on making sure that you present yourself as a whole person rather than just a collection of stats.</p>
<p>My daughter just graduated from Barnard and her friends all teased her for going to a women's college because she was known to be a bit of a flirt. However, she was serious about her academics and found Barnard offered great classes. She wanted to live with all women for a variety of reasons--fewer social distractions in her "home" space, less noise from drunken males, freedom to walk around in the dorm make-up free and to look grubby without worrying about how she looked.</p>
<p>Since Columbia is just across the street, it is very easy to have a co-ed environment when one wants one ... taking Columbia courses, joining their organizations, etc. I think that Barnard is as much a women's college as you want it to be. Plus, there is always NYC. Barnard is not as cloistered as some other women's colleges are. </p>
<p>However, at Barnard, the instructors take women seriously and my daughter appreciated that. This is the main reason she attended a women's college. She ended up taking very few courses at Columbia because she thought the courses at Barnard were better, more student-centered and engaging, and had better discussions. My daughter was an English major and was very happy with her experience in the major ... she had some really memorable faculty members.</p>
<p>You have good ECs, and they are well-matched to Barnard. My daughter had higher SAT scores, lesser ECs, and comparable grades. The summer programs they offer at Barnard are a great intro to the college and to NYC, so that is a very good next move.</p>