<p>Earlier this month my dad and I visited schools back east (we’re from CA). After all the tours, info sessions, and interviews I found that I love them all. I’ve been thinking, though, and decided that Barnard is “just right” for me so I’m going to shoot for ED! This is really nerve-wrecking because well, I really want to go! Haha. One thing that worries me about applying ED is…</p>
<p>My junior grades were decent (3.57 uw [4.0 w] gpa both semester, 2 APs and 1 honors). I am taking a more challenging course load senior year (5 APs, 1 honors) and want to show them that I can really excel in a rigorous environment by sending them my 1st semester senior grades, but if I apply ED these grades won’t factor into the admissions process. Will not being able to show them those grades negatively affect my ED application, or should I just apply RD? </p>
<p>If Barnard is unsure about you and wants to see your senior year grades, they will defer you. I doubt they would reject you right away--if they do, your senior year grades probably wouldn't change their minds very much anyway. Applying ED shows commitment and huge interest, so if you can financially do so, it seems to me to make sense.
Good luck!</p>
<p>they typically say that if you're waiting for senior year year grades to help your application, you should wait for regular decision. I think that would be better in your case, if you feel that you would do good in that time. With regular decision, you also can compare financial aid packets. But, it is of course up to you and if you feel your application is strong at this point, apply ed if you desire. Wish you the best of luck :)</p>
<p>I applied ED over regular to Barnard because (among other reasons) I had thought that the adcom would NOT look at first semester grades. I had much better grades junior year, and I felt that my senior year grades would decrease my chances of admission. Then a few weeks after I had sent in my app, Barnard asked my guidance counselor for my grades! And he had to send them in. I thought that I might not get in partially because of this. But somehow I got in anyway.</p>
<p>So, I think that sometimes Barnard will ask for first semester grades even if you are applying ED. In my school, the semesters are divided into 2 marking periods, and my counselor was only able to send in my 1st marking period grades b/c the adcom had to make a decision earlier than the 2nd mp finished. But I don't know how they weigh those grades in with the rest of the app. You might want to call them up and ask them. Good luck!</p>