Am I on the right track?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Barnard College
1

<p>I’m currently a sophomore and am incredibly interested in applying to Barnard; It’s definitely at the top of my list right now. Am I on the right track academically/extracurricular-wise? My current GPA is 3.85; my cumulative GPA is lower (3.7)–my grades have improved since my freshman year. I consider my GPA one of my weakest points, as test-taking is certainly not my forte; however, I am planning on pursuing the full IB diploma, and assuming I maintain (and ideally improve) my current grades, my projected GPA over the next 2 years should be at least 4.1, if not higher. The IB diploma also includes hundreds of hours of community service as well as an extended essay. I attend an incredibly competitive small public high school in northern Virginia, however it rarely sends students to Ivy’s.</p>

<p>Current Courses:
-Honors Precalculus
-Honors Chemistry
-Honors English
-AP Government (without having previously taken U.S. history) projected score: 5
-AP Spanish–projected score: 4/5
-Symphonic Band</p>

<p>Next Year’s Courses: (IB DIPLOMA CANDIDATE)
-BC Calculus or IBSL Math
-IBSL Environmental Systems OR IBSL Chemistry
-IBHL English
-IBHL Spanish
-IBHL Music
-IBSL U.S. History
-IB Theory of Knowledge
-Symphonic Band</p>

<p>Senior Year Courses:
-IBH (with completion of BC as a junior) or IBS math
-IBHL English
-IBHL Spanish
-IBHL Music
-IBSL World History
-IB Theory of Knowledge
-Symphonic Band</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: Symphonic Band <a href=“9-12”>French Horn</a>, Symph. Band section leader (10-12), All-District Band (9-12), Solo and Ensemble Competition; superior ratings (9-12), Local Youth Orchestra (10-12), American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (10-12) Governor’s School in music (???), French Horn Lessons (9-12), teaching french horn lessons (10-12) Virginia Young Writers program (Summer 2010), Tutoring (10-12), GMRP (relief project club), Literary Magazine editor (10-12), Founder of a music-blog for student musicians/music journalism sponsored by my school Literary Magazine, Varsity Lacrosse (9-12), Coach of local youth lacrosse (10-12), Spanish Honors Society (9-12), Columbia Summer Creative Writing Workshop (Summer 2011; hopefully!) Volunteer work at the National Holocaust Museum, Lost Dog and Cat Rescue…</p>

<p>SAT’s: My PSAT score as a sophomore was a 201; alternately, a practice SAT that I took at the beginning of my sophomore year was a 2000. I have done absolutely minimal SAT prep thus far and plan on taking a course as well as studying extensively on my own to improve this score by at least 200 points.</p>

<p>I realize that my GPA is low; however, do I otherwise seem to be on the right track for Barnard?? Thank you! Feedback is truly appreciated</p>

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<p>upward trend in grades is great. You look like an involved and motivated young woman. Stay focused on doing what you do because you love to do it and because you want to do your best, not because you think it will get you in to Barnard (or anywhere else). I think you stand a great chance of being accepted to many wonderful schools, but you have lots of time. Enjoy your NOW!!</p>

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<p>I think you seem pretty cool, just hope Barnard agrees :)</p>