Barnard College Class of 2023 RD Results

Colleges and Universities A-Z Barnard College
1

Hello everyone! Just wanted to post this here to get some info about everyone’s results! I’ve seen some chat forums about this year’s class, but nothing with stats.

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown):
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II subject tests:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis):
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities:
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1:
Teacher Rec #2:
Counselor Rec:
Additional Rec:
Interview:

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?:
Intended Major:
State (if domestic applicant):
School Type:
Ethnicity:
Gender:
Income Bracket:

Reflection:

Strengths:
Weaknesses:

General Comments:

2

Accepted! :blush:

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): Didn’t take
ACT (breakdown): 34 composite (36 English, 36 reading, 31 math, 34 science, etc.)
SAT II subject tests: Literature (720) and US History (700)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.9 unweighted, 5.0 weighted
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): I will graduate Cum Laude, so at least top 5-10%, I think
AP (place score in parenthesis): Environmental Science (5), German (4), US History (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Literature, AP Psychology, AP European History, Honors International Relations, Honors Coding, Creative Writing, Religion

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): An organization that focuses on LGBTQ+ women’s rights (Co-President of a committee), a low-cost mental health treatment center (Junior Board Member), theatre, wind ensemble (was Brass Captain), running, Model UN
Volunteer/Community service: Volunteer at a local elderly home, helping folks who don’t speak English
Summer Activities: Campaigning at the Pennsylvania Congress in Harrisburg for human rights issues, have taken 4 summer courses at college since freshman year!, travel, and write for a local newspaper
Essays (rating 1-10, details):

CommonApp: (8) My main essay was just about my love of writing, which perfectly applies to my intended major, and also about my family’s history and struggles (divorce, immigration, sibling rivalries, etc).
What factors influenced your decision to apply to Barnard?: (6). This was a pretty generic essay, but I referenced specific work I’ve done for women, how much I loved the campus when I toured a while ago, and the myriad of opportunities that exist only at Barnard (mentioned some specifics, as well)
Pick one woman in history or fiction to converse with for an hour?: (10) This was where I SHINED! I took a real risk with who I chose, and it definitely paid off! I’m very, very proud, and I really let my creative writing abilities shine in this one.

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: (9) My 11th grade English teacher. He constantly said that I was his favorite student in YEARS and gave me so many wonderful opportunities to strengthen my passion for writing. I’m sure he did a marvelous job.
Teacher Rec #2: (7) My 11th grade APUSH teacher. I think he might’ve forgotten my name by now LOL! But I think he seemed to like me enough? Everything worked out, so I guess it was a good essay!
Counselor Rec: (9) Wonderful! My counselor and I have an absolutely wonderful relationship, and I love her so dearly! Of course, I haven’t read her essay, but she’s said such beautiful things about me/my work in the past.
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: My connection cut out about halfway through, so I could only hear the interviewer! I couldn’t even see her face!! She could see and hear me, but it was weird just reacting to a voice and not being able to see the other person. Still, she was lovely to talk to and we made each other laugh at whole bunch!

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Double major with Creative Writing and German Studies
State (if domestic applicant): Pennsylvania
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: $100,000+

Reflection: I found out from five different schools all within the past two hours (3 acceptances, 2 rejections) and Barnard was my favorite of the whole bunch! I’m so grateful and I think I’ll be a member of the Class of 2023! Thank goodness!

Strengths: Strong essays, good grades, powerful teacher/student relationships, very unique personal reflection, some humor and sincerity throughout. Also, touring the campus multiple times and interviewing really helped as well, I think.
Weaknesses: Lack of true math and science courses senior year. When I toured, they stressed that 4 years of English, math, science, and social studies was VITAL, and I was really worried. Evidently, it wasn’t too big of a deal. (Plus, taking AP Psychology, even though that’s just a social science, and skipping a year in math probably helped).

General Comments: I love Barnard so much! I’m so grateful and so excited for everyone accepted! And if you weren’t, I know things will eventually work out and you’ll end up where you need to be. :smiley:

3

Decision: Rejected

ACT: N/A
SAT: 1430 (700 Reading, 730 math)
No SAT II Tests
GPA: W: 4.1 UW: 3.87
APs: APUSH, AP GOV, AP Physics, AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB, AP Psychology, AP Environmental Science, AP English Literature & Composition
My Schedule this year: AP English Literature & Composition, AP Calculus AB, French 3 & 4, AP Psychology, AP Environmental Science, Chamber Singers (highest-level choir at school)
Extracurriculars:
Thespians (my troupe is affiliated with the International Thespian Society; I am the Historian. I’ve been involved since I transferred to my current HS halfway through freshman year; contributed 500+ hours)
NHS (got inducted my first year of eligibility, Executive Board member)
I work at Meijer (local grocery store-I work full-time during the summer and 15 hours during the school year)
Kids’ Food Basket (a local organization that provides take-home dinners to undernourished/underprivileged children. I volunteer there multiple times a week. We just established a farm where we grow our own produce to serve in the dinners. I’m also a member of their Youth Action Leadership Board.)
Student Council (got elected my senior year)
GSA- I founded the GSA at my high school when I transferred there. I had to attend a lot of meetings with the principal and school board in order for it to get approved, but it was worth it. I live in the most statistically conservative county in Michigan and our GSA has been able to do a LOT to encourage tolerance and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in our community.
Music-been in choir since freshman year, top level choir, playing piano for 10+ years
Voices- I co-wrote a play entitled “Voices” with my friend the summer before my sophomore year. It’s a series of monologues about the LGBTQ+ individuals in our community, and it was selected for performance at both the Michigan Thespian Festival and the International Thespian Festival.
Photography- I travel across North America photographing musicians in concert. I don’t have affiliations with any publications or websites, so I don’t have a press pass. My photos have been featured and used by some of the artists, including Alabama Shakes, Tegan and Sara, Post Malone, Janelle Monáe, and Bishop Briggs. I wrote my Common App Essay about it.

Other opportunities: I attended a session of the Michigan House of Representatives with my local Representative, got to shadow her for a day.

Demographic: white queer woman,

Essays:

Common App -I wrote about concert photography. I used a lot of imagery and appeal to the senses in the opening paragraph to describe what it’s like when the lights go down at a music festival before the headliner is about to take the stage. I also discuss how traveling and meeting people through concert photography has helped me develop social skills.

Why Barnard - I wrote about how much I admire Barnard’s dedication to scholarship and the liberal arts. I enjoy learning about a variety of topics that don’t necessarily apply to my major, so going to a school like Barnard would allow me to explore my other interests. I also discussed the uniqueness that comes with an all-female student body, and how that would allow me to have a unique perspective following graduation, especially coming into politics. I also wrote about New York city and its vibrant music/arts scene, which I enjoy greatly.

Woman in History - I wrote about Billie Jean King. She and I are similar in the sense that we are both women living in a man’s world: sports and politics, respectively. We are both queer, and King continues to advocate for equality for both women and LGBTQ individuals. She beat the odds and shattered the “glass ceiling” while the whole world was watching in the infamous “Battle of the Sexes.”

Recommendations:

  1. My APUSH teacher- 9..one of my biggest advocates and one of my mentors. She had me help the APUSH classes after mine with their writing-she always said I was the best essay writer she's ever had. She also wrote about my love for politics and improving civil rights, especially for women.
  2. My AP Gov teacher- 9. Another one of my biggest cheerleaders. I really blossomed under his wing and he always had confidence in my success.
  3. My AP Statistics Teacher/NHS mentor- 8. We don't know each other awfully well, but he knows a lot about my volunteer work and my leadership/problem solving skills.

Other:
Applied for financial aid? Yes
intended major: political science
State: Michigan
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female (obvi lol)
Income Bracket: $80k ($100k+ if one includes noncustodial parent)

Reflection: I’ve been accepted to two top twenty polysci programs already (Umich and OSU), and I’ve gotten a full tuition scholarship from one (OSU’s Morrill Prominence.), rejected by UChicago, and waitlisted by Wellesley. I know this sounds arrogant, but I’m really surprised since it seemed like I was a good fit. Barnard was one of my top choices, and I really wanted to study in a cultural area like New York. I don’t really know what this decision means for the rest of the schools I’ve applied to, but all I can do is hope for the best.

Strengths: Essays- I personally think they were really creative, and I offered a well-rounded perspective that would thrive at Barnard. I also think my extracurriculars were strong, as well as my teacher recommendations.

Weaknesses: GPA- I have four Bs. My SAT score could also have impacted my decision as well, as it’s in the middle of the road. I also didn’t interview or visit the campus.

General Comments: It’s probably just the fresh wound, but I’m really disappointed. I suppose I’m not as strong of an applicant as I thought I was. I’m scared for the rest of my decisions, but I also feel comfortable with my two options.

4

ACCEPTED!

SAT I (breakdown): 1510 composite (1st time: 800M 670R, 2nd time: 780M 710R)
SAT II subject tests: 760 Math II
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP US Government (5), AP World (5), AP Calculus BC (5), AP Computer Science Principles (5), AP Lang (3), AP Microeconomics (2)
Senior Year Course Load: Multivariable Calculus (Calc 3), Honors English 12, AP Studio Art, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Human Geography, KORA 101 at community college
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Congressional Award for Drawing, Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Gold Key and Silver Key, FTC Inspire Award (but it was only qualifier level), selected to exhibit artwork at Johns Hopkins University 3 years in a row.

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
FTC Robotics (Programming Team Captain), Science National Honor Society (President), National Art Honor Society (President), Math Honor Society (Officer), National Honor Society (Officer)
Job/Work Experience: Chipotle, Local Library Internship, Tutoring for foreign students, Barista at cafe
Volunteer/Community service: Through my robotics team, we did a lot of community outreach and hosted STEM activities for local children at fairs and separate workshops.
Summer Activities: 9th to 10th - Chipotle, 10th to 11th - local library internship, 11th to 12th - full-time barista

Essays (rating 1-10, details):

Common App 9/10: I was really proud of my common app. I’m not the strongest writer, but I felt I told my story of being bullied when I first arrived in America for my awful English and being the only non-white kid in a class of white kids, and then struggling with not accepting my own heritage and rejecting/bashing my own culture in order to assimilate into American culture.I worked with my AP Lang teacher and she really helped me. Again, I’m not the strongest writer, but I know what I wrote was the rawest story I could tell of myself. It wasn’t 100% perfect, but it was the best I could make it with my own ability.

Why Barnard Essay 7/10: I talked about how Barnard is a good fit for me because of its balance of liberal arts and STEM. I named specific programs (3-2 Engineering program, Clare Boothe Luce Scholars program, and also other specifics about the astrophysics program I was applying to) that helped my decision to apply.
I’m also a big artist (I submitted a SlideRoom portfolio) so I talked about how specific art-related activities at Barnard as well as New York City’s own connections will help me continue both of my passions in art and science. I think this was the part that helped, because when I was a doing the college tour, Barnard seemed to really be about creating your own interdisciplinary work and exploring all types of interests.
I finished the paragraph by saying that I’m a city girl through and through because I am originally from S.Korea’s bustling cities, and loved NYC.

Fictional/Historical Woman Essay: I made a list, but eventually I couldn’t really speak authentically about any of them, except for one of my favorite Marvel comic book character heroines, Agent Peggy Carter. Initially, I was super hesitant, but I consulted with my teachers and they said that its such an obvious choice because it shows my obvious passion of blending science and art, which is basically comic books.
I knew that the reader would have no idea who Peggy Carter is, so I gave a brief intro and then tied into how she inspired me ever since I was a little girl and saw her in the movie theaters. I gave specific examples about what actions she did that inspires me to do the same she did.
And then, I wrote out the hypothetical questions I had for her and tied why I want to ask her those questions about leadership and feminity because I wanted to lead a team in the future.
To be honest, I thought it was a big risk to choose a comic book character but I honestly couldn’t write more than one sentence for my other more “mainstream” picks. This essay could have been better organized but I think I wrote it with sincerity and honesty and that showed through.

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: 7.5/10 It was my AP Calculus BC teacher who wrote it. As a STEM major, I obviously wanted my math teacher to write my recommendation, but she is a super popular teacher to ask for recommendations, so I don’t know how personal it was but I earned A for all quarters and I tried extremely hard in her class.
Teacher Rec #2: 7.5/10 It was my junior year Physics teacher. I had him for one year, and it was never a super personal connection, but I had a good relationship with him and I discussed with him my passion for physics and engineering.
Counselor Rec: 10/10: I had a chance to peek at it, and it was a solid recommendation. The last two years of high school has been very tough, with family issues, balancing 30 hour work weeks, with several leaderships AND 5/4 AP classes, and since I couldn’t talk to anyone at home, a lot of it was spent with my counselor. She’s a very practical, no fuss type of counselor, and I know she saw how hard I work and the sacrifices I made in order to get the achievements I want. And that reflected in her recommendation.
Additional Rec: Art Teacher 9/10 I asked my art teacher to speak about my artistic achievements and dedication to art because I wanted to have an actual proof that I am a STEM major that actually does do art and has awards and achievements to show for it. She also spoke about my leadership in the art community at our high school.
Interview: Didn’t do.

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Astrophysics, 3-2 Engineering
State (if domestic applicant): Maryland
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public high school.
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 75k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): I’m a first generation immigrant but not a first-generation college student though.

Reflection:

Strengths: I constantly focused on and challenged myself to take the hardest STEM classes offered at my high school as well as continue to be dedicated to my art. I think the fact that I showed through my academic track record AND my extracurriculars and my awards that I am focused on STEM and art showed that I am committed. At the same time, I think I deviated enough away from the typical STEM student by having an art career and applying it to my STEM passions. Also, my essays really were written as authentically as I could, because I figured if Barnard wanted me, they were going to have the real version of me, instead of what I believe what Barnard wanted.
Weaknesses: My SAT reading score and I wasn’t as well rounded in my studies. Obviously, you can see I didn’t take any AP foreign language classes and after AP Lang in junior year, I went back to Honors English. Humanities isn’t my strong suit but I think I showed enough dedication in my other interests
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I’m still a little shocked. I knew I had a good chance with my good grades, stats, and extracurriculars, but at the same time seeing some of the rejected and deferred from ED made me hesitant. However, I think in the end, I compensated the fact I’m no poet, by being humorous.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted so far at UMD, UIUC, UCBoulder, Embry Riddle, SCAD

General Comments: Good luck to everyone and I’m truly thankful that I got into my top three school choice. The Barnard campus is really beautiful and tight-knit, and NYC is such a great city for me! I have to hear back from Columbia, Princeton, Stanford, and USC, but this is a HUGE weight off my shoulders to know I got into Barnard!

5

Since I was waitlisted, I don’t think that posting my stats and ECs will be helpful. I will say that I think that I tried to mold myself into a person who I truly wasn’t to an extent. I attempted to turn myself into this “super political activist”, and while I am passionate about that, it truly doesn’t define me as a person. A place like Barnard already has a bunch of women who are politically active to choose from, and I simply didn’t distinguish myself from the others. What I truly love with all of my heart includes the arts, especially music. I forgot to highlight my artistic side as well as the compassionate side of who I am. To all future applicants, as cliche as it sounds, be true to who you are, not what you think that Barnard wants to hear <3

6

Accepted after ED deferral!

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 1450
ACT (breakdown): n/a
SAT II subject tests: Literature (720) World History (770)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.5 at T20 high school
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): school doesn’t rank
AP (place score in parenthesis): World History (5) Seminar (4) Research (5) Psych (5) Language (5) US History (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Literature, AP Calculus AB, AP Biology, AP Macro/Gov, Health, Theatre, Music
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): I had 1 international 2 national 2 regional, published research paper

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): dance, Model UN (founder, president), political non-profit (team leader)
Job/Work Experience: With a youtube channel, Southern Poverty Law Center, Panda Express lmao
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities: go to work above! lmao
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Woman (10) Personal Statement (10) Why (8)
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): First Rec (8) My AP Lang teacher I did well in his class but didn’t really know him well, Second rec (10) my APUSH teacher, I improved a lot in his class.

Teacher Rec #1: 7 My AP Lang teacher I did well in his class but didn’t really know him well,
Teacher Rec #2: 10 ) my APUSH teacher, I improved a lot in his class.
Counselor Rec: 10 she made me write it myself so…
Additional Rec: 10 My AP Research teacher absolutely loved me and I loved her! I grew a lot in her class
Interview: Went great! She was really young and conversational and we both loved poetry. Gushed about digital humanities and politics

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: of course yes
Intended Major: Political Science
State (if domestic applicant): TX
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public, very competitive
Ethnicity: White (Middle Eastern)
Gender: F
Income Bracket: <25,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): first-gen, low-income

Reflection:

Strengths: Def my essays and ECs, interview and recs helped support my supplement
Weaknesses: GRADES oh my god GPA!!! I thought I’d be automatically rejected! I have 3 C’s on my transcript
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Since my school is forcing me to AP Cal/Bio I think they want to see how well I do senior year. I feel like they liked my subjective stuff but just had to test out my GPA which I maintained even with more APs. I also emailed my admissions rep a lot and just asked questions about Barnard. Don’t feel like you have to visit if you’re low-income I didn’t but expressed interest other ways. I sent them a 2 page letter of continued interest lol. Don’t be annoying w/your emails though have substance
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accept- USC, Brandeis, UT Austin, Occidental, Northeastern Waitlist- Wellesley, Macalester, UMich Reject- Claremont McKenna, Scripps, Bryn Mawr, Carleton

General Comments: WOWOWWOOW I didn’t think this would happen at ALL especially with my low grades but Barnard was my top choice and I definitely made sure to show it!

1 Like
7

Accepted!

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 1420 (Math 660, R/W 760)
ACT (breakdown): Didn’t take
SAT II subject tests: Didn’t take
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): #2 out of 156
AP (place score in parenthesis): Didn’t send in but I took 5 APs throughout high school (we only have 6 APs to select from)
IB (place score in parenthesis): Didn’t take
Senior Year Course Load: All honors classes and AP Bio and AP Calc AB

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): National Honor Society (Secretary), Varsity Swim, Newspaper (Editor), Spanish Culture Club, Campus Ministry (Volunteer Coordinator), Drama Club (Head of Hospitality), Medical Club
Job/Work Experience: Summer Camp Counselor
Volunteer/Community service: The club I’m in Campus Ministry does a lot of volunteering. Usually collecting food, clothes, money, etc. for different organizations. We also go to local elementary schools and put on events for them.

Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App- (8) I wrote about a poem my dad used to tell me and how it inspired my love of learning. I also spoke about his struggle with cancer and how his death affected me and my career goals.
Why Barnard- (7) I wrote about how I never imagined going to a women’s college but fell in love with Barnard, mentioned how my mom was the first girl in our family to graduate high school and how I wanted to be the first to graduate college and related it to their club She’s the First, talked about my love for Camp Kesem an organization I’ve been a part of for years and want to join the Columbia chapter.
Historical Figure- (9) I took a risk with this one and picked a current cabinet member who has opposing political views to mine and how I wanted to have a civil conversation with her and create change.

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details)

Teacher Rec #1: 11th/12th English Teacher
(7) Knows me pretty well but we don’t have a strong relationship
Teacher Rec #2: 12th AB Calc/ 10th Computer Teacher (8) I’ve known her for a while and she’s fond of me, she’s the head of one of the clubs I’m in so I’ve done a lot of volunteering with her
Counselor Rec: (7) He doesn’t know me that well but has mentioned that I’m “exemplary of the students they want to create” at my school. Knows a lot about the activities I do
Additional Rec: (9) 9th Bio Teacher/ Head of Drama Club Knows me very well and has said I’m one of her favorite students, spoke about my dedication to drama club and my strength and continued success when my dad died in the middle of the year.

Interview: I had an on campus interview and spoke with an admissions officer. We spoke about how my current school was an all-boys school and only went coed very recently and how that effected my learning when I dealt with teacher with very traditional (read sexist) views. We also talked about politics, religion, and a whole bunch of other topics. I think it went really well.

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Neuroscience
State (if domestic applicant): New York
School Type: Catholic School
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female

Reflection:

Strengths: I took risks with my essays and was very authentic with my emotions in them, I spoke very passionately with my interviewer which she seemed to respond well to, I’m a first generation American and college student.
Weaknesses: SAT score was ok but my math score was definitely weak, my school doesn’t offer many APs and I chose not to report any of my scores

General Comments: I felt like Barnard was a really good match for me and honestly think it was my interview and historical figure essay that got me in. My grades were also very good which I have been told Barnard values more than SAT score

8

Accepted after ED deferral

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): n/a
ACT (breakdown): 32 - English 35, Math 28, Reading 35, Science 31
SAT II subject tests: I took 3 but did not submit any
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.96
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): n/a at my school
AP (place score in parenthesis): World History (5), English Lang (4), Spanish Lang (4), Comp Sci (did not send)
IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
Senior Year Course Load: AP Government, AP Macroeconomics, AP Lit, AP Calculus AB, Honors Graphic Design, Wind Symphony Band, Spanish V

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Marching band (Clarinet Section Leader) (Head Band Librarian)
Concert band - bass clarinetist
Debate - extemporaneous speech, top finisher from my district
Youth City Council (Representative)
LGBT Awareness Club (President/Founder)
Literary Festival 3 year winner
National Honor Society
English Honor Society
Spanish Honor Society
Mu Alpha Theta
Rho Kappa

Job/Work Experience: did not list any
Volunteer/Community service: 150+ hours mostly at Boys and Girls Club, Munger Place (reading to children to promote early development learning in literacy), volunteering for my band program, volunteer at Southern Methodist University for multiple programs, volunteer serving community through youth council

Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App- (8-9) I wrote about my eccentric family and how my parents promoted a life of individuality despite the fact I live in a super conformist Texas town. Discussed how my mom prompted my interest in social justice, how my sister is adopted and the effects on my family, and my dad’s many life lessons. I
Why Barnard- (7) I talked about my fierce appetite for literature, my respect and adoration for words and my need to discover myself and forge my own path in a place where women were taught to be empowered and strong.
Historical Figure- (6) I regret my decision for this because my choice was Diane Sawyer who I would argue is a little too mainstream. To be fair, she has had a tremendous impact in my life, but I think a lot of people find more success in covering someone a little more obscure.

I got deferred ED and wrote a HEART FELT letter addressing a few things I felt Barnard was not aware of from my initial application including – I’m biracial and my maternal grandmother struggled immensely to make it in America in the 1960s when Japanese were still discriminated against; I’m half deaf but I have overcome it by involving myself in activities like music and investing additional time outside of class to supplement my learning for listening exams in foreign language classes; explaining really why I loved Barnard, etc

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details)

Teacher Rec #1: AP Lang Teacher
(9-10) adored me, I obviously never saw the letter but I was her Department Award for AP Language so I think she liked me a lot. She told me I was the best writer she had that year.
Teacher Rec #2: US History Teacher
(9-10) also really loved me, a grandma type. I maxed her class, got Department Award, and brought up a lot of feminist themes which I think she appreciated so hopefully it was good!
Counselor Rec: (no idea) LOL I write down all the info I want in my counselor rec and she just re-words it in her “counselor language” and puts her figurehead on it. like I’m going to guess it was ok, but who even know she doesn’t know me well.

Interview: While I tried hard for this, I don’t think it was the best interview I have ever had. I wasn’t 110% invested like I am now, because I simply did not know where I wanted to go and had not toured the school yet. I don’t think I really “shined”— I was perfectly polite, but maybe not a standout.

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: English
State (if domestic applicant): Texas
School Type: public, large
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female

Reflection:

Strengths: I think honestly my personal letter to Barnard after my initial defer got me in.

Weaknesses: I could have taken more AP classes, I could have retaken my ACT.

General Comments: Don’t lose hope if you get deferred ED round. Also, I got denied from Boston College and Northeastern so don’t be discouraged the system is very unpredictable.

9

thank you!! this made me feel better, i’m applying ed this year and my gpa is also a 3.5 and i have like 3c’s on my transcript and im in love with barnard but scared my gpa will be my downfall