Barnard 25! Chance me

Hi Everyone!
Barnard is my top school but my stats are below average compared to their averages. I would love to hear opinions about my chances of getting in.

Objective:
SAT: not taken yet
Weighted GPA: 3.3
Intended major: double major in political science and economics (maybe)
Relevant Classwork: All honors and AP classes since freshman year (was not allowed to take AP classes till soph year) 8 AP classes and rest honors

Extracurriculars:

  • Founder of nonprofit which supports women who have been victims of sexual and domestic abuse
  • Technical lead of robotics all-girls robotics team
  • Model UN president
  • Mock Trial captain
  • Book club president
  • Amnesty International club founder
  • FBLA captain
  • Cross Country & Soccer
  • Girl Up Boston executive board
  • Girl Up club Vice President
  • Work at Kumon (tutor)
  • 800 service hours
    • American Red Cross
    • UNICEF
    • Nursing Home
    • Etc…

Awards:

  • Presidential Volunteer Award
  • Hugh O’ Brian Leadership award winner and attended seminar
  • Theology Volunteering award

Background:

  • Ethnicity: South Asian (Pakistan)
  • From Connecticut
  • Middle Class
  • School: Private Catholic all-girls high school
  • Will need financial aid
  • First-gen

Looking at everyones stats here makes me sure that I won’t be able to get in because of how low my gpa is. I have received all A’s in my AP classes though math and science are very challenging for me and have brought down my gpa through the years.

You’d have to get an amazing SAT score (1500+) to make up for your GPA, it’s way too low for most LAC. Your first gen status will help, and your ECs are great. Barnard is a reach, but mostly because of your gpa, Barnard looks heavily at GPA and grade.

Actually, while I agree that Barnard is a big reach with your GPA – you can’t get in unless you apply. Your EC’s seem to reflect a real commitment to service – and I don’t think it’s a matter of balancing out the GPA with a super high SAT. I think what’s more important is to work on getting your grades up as much as possible this year (so you can show a rising trend) – and then tell a compelling story with your essays & LOR’s.

Also, the GPA is always evaluated in the context of your high school – so if grading is particularly tough at your school, then any college would account for that.

So yes – big reach for you – but no problem with having one or two reachy, dream colleges on your list as long as you also develop a good list of safeties & matches. And Barnard is probably more holistic than many schools that might also be reaches.

Hi!
I applied to Barnard & had MANY of the same ECs as you…
I founded my own nonprofit as well and was in FBLA, and held many leadership positions such as my school’s women empowerment club Pres, Reading Team captain, and FBLA officer. I’m middle class, a first-gen student, and attended a public school. I had an SAT score in the mid-1400 range & a 4.0 GPA.

I was waitlisted.

However, I would study hard for your SATs (I used Khan Academy) and apply in the fall anyway! You never know unless you apply. If Barnard is your dream school, and you make that clear in your essays, you very well may get in.

Hey!

I applied to Barnard and I was initially waitlisted, but then accepted. I had a 3.7 GPA (92/100) and a 33 superscored ACT. I had no subject tests, but I submitted 3 AP tests (AP Statistics, AP World, APUSH), which were all 4s. 1 counselor rec, 2 teacher recs, and 1 mentor rec (I think it’s super helpful to get someone who really knows you to write an additional rec for you). My supplement was really personal as well.

If you have any siblings and you take care of them, mention that too! You could write, for example, “Oldest of 4 siblings” in your activities list and that shows a lot of character, honesty, and maturity!

Good luck! Barnard was a reach for me too, but anything can happen!