Bard is my first choice - chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Bard College
1

<p>How do I convey to Bard that they are my first choice?</p>

<p>Grades
Unweighted GPA- 3.5
Weighted GPA- 3.66
Rank - Top 25%; not top 10% (2nd ranked public high school in the state - does ranking matter?)</p>

<p>Tests
SAT- 2100
CR- 800
Math- 580
W- 720
essay-11</p>

<p>SAT II
US History: 750
Literature: 800</p>

<p>I’ll be taking the ACT in December, and I’ll probably do decently.</p>

<p>AP
English Lit- 5
U.S. History- 5
This year I’ll take English comp, and I’ll probably get a 5, but I suppose that doesn’t matter <a href=“do%20colleges%20consider%20AP%20tests%20as%20part%20of%20admission?”>b</a>**</p>

<p>AP/Hnrs classes I am taking this year:
AP English
Honors International Relations</p>

<p>EC
-Students for Social Justice - Vice President(10,11,12)
-After School Orchestra 2nd violin first chair (10,11)
-Project Venue President (a music organization for youth in my home town; I put a lot of time into this, am very passionate about it, and may be writing my essay on it.) (10,11,12)
-Employed at the local library - 7-15 hours/wk since sophomore year (10,11,12)
-Animal Rights Club Officer (10,11)
-Open Music club founder - a chance to play music for students with not enough formal training to play in an official school band/orchestra. (9,10,11,12)
-SKpades - I did sound for a pageant in 11th grade - intensive 4 week experience.
-I also won the battle of the bands at my school (and my friends’ school, but I’m not really sure if that should go on the app hahaha)</p>

<p>I don’t know my major, but it’ll probably be something useless in the liberal arts (that always gets me depressed.)</p>

<p>I’ll chance back, etc.</p>

2

<p>You sound like Bard material. Make sure your essay is really interesting and have an interview. Are you applying to the conservatory as well?</p>

3

<p>You are right to make sure to convey that Bard is your first choice, and why. Interview by some means, if at all possible. Have your guidance counselor convey that Bard is your first choice, if possible. Write a separate note (after your interview or visit is a good time) saying that Bard is your first choice – and why. With your high test scores aside from Math, make sure Bard doesn’t feel it might be a “safety.” Good luck!</p>

4

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<p>Thanks for the response! No, I don’t think I’m conservatory material - I love music like nothing else, but I don’t have any talent out of the ordinary.</p>

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<p>This is all good information, thank you! I’ll try to have a skype interview; I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get my app in before I visit.</p>

5

<p>I also built a mandolin a couple of years back, so I’ll have to try to include that in some way.</p>

6

<p>I would edit to add, but I can’t.</p>

<p>**Important<a href=“to%20me”>/b</a>: if I have two letters of recommendation, Social Studies and a non-core subject ready to be sent right now, and a science one on the way in a few weeks, should I apply early action November 11th (without science rec), even though Bard wants two core subjects including math and science? Or should I wait, and apply regular descision with lower chances?</p>

7

<p>Mandolin building is the kind of quirky thing Bard likes.</p>

<p>SAT scores don’t seem to play as strong a role in Bard’s process as they do at some other places - they really do try to look at the big picture there. My D also had a discrepancy with her math score (although not quite as much as yours) and was admitted with merit aid.</p>

<p>Even though Bard has the conservatory, there are lots of opportunities for music making for nonmusic majors. The Bard Orchestra is separate from the Con Orch, and they’re always looking for string players. If you want to pursue lessons, Bard will cover the cost.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>