Barnard College ED Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Barnard College
1

Hello!

I’m just looking for a realistic opinion on my chances. Also, I’m curious about much of an impact my essays have on the admission process? I’m applying Early Decision to Barnard College. So let’s get into it.

Majors: Philosophy and Environmental Science

UW: 3.62 (This will be a weak point even though my course work has been rigorous)
W: 3.98

SAT: 1390
670 (English)
720 (Math)

AP Scores:
APUSH: 5
Environmental Science: 4
World History: 5
AP Lit: 3 (oof)
AP Gov.: 5

The APs I’m taking senior year are Biology, Spanish Language, English Language, and Calculus (BC).

Extracurriculars:
Speech Team: 9
Newspaper: 10 & 11
Mock Trial Team: 10, 11, 12
Pride Alliance: 10, 11, 12
Tech Crew: 11 & 12
Drama Club: 11 & 12
NHS: 11 & 12
National Spanish Honor Society: 11 & 12
National Social Studies Honor Society (Elected Vice President): 12
Internship with the Illinois State House Representative Ugaste over the summer
Currently doing an internship with a local law office
Should I include that in my past time I study philosophy as well?

I also volunteer at the local homeless shelter for volunteer hours (not required by my high school) and I will have done a little over 100 hours by the time I fill out applications.

Awards:
AP Scholar with Distinction (11th grade)
Academic Achievement Award (9th-11th & on track for 12th as well)

Reccs.
AP Literature Teacher- talked with her a lot throughout the year. Writing skills improved and talked to me about my growth in her class.
Social Studies Teacher- She was the sponsor for Pride Alliance, been in her class for a year that was based on discussion, and went a selective “field trip” (for lack of better words) with her.

I already did an interview with an alumna, and it went for about 2 hours (a good sign, I think).

URM: first-generation student, and from the midwest

Thank you so much!

2

Looks like you have been working hard and taking advantage of your opportunities and resources. Congratulations on the summer internship with the representative. Most important, your achievements, your ambition, and capabilities, are yours – regardless of an admissions board’s evaluation.

As you have identified, your GPA and test scores might inhibit your admittance to Barnard. But students with your stats have been admitted. It is my understanding that the essays are critical for a holistic process. Make sure that those essays reveal authentic qualities about you. Have people read them and ask if those essays reveal those personal qualities. Make sure the essays convey your intellectual passion.

And then send off that application and find some safety schools that you feel would be great places for you. Barnard denies a lot of students who are completely qualified. Only about 300 students are accepted ED. It is hard to know if you will be one of them.

3

Okay, thanks so much for your quick response.
Do you know how many people apply ED?

4

Kiwi2020 , the Columbian campus news paper said that “1,235 early-decision applications this admissions cycle, a 24 percent increase in a single year,” for the 2019-2020 freshman class. Barnard ED stats are posted around the web to point out that it makes more sense to apply there to ED than some other schools. Who knows if the trend of 24% increase will continue. In any case, you only care about you. You will get in or you will not get in. You might get deferred to spring. In any case, you will go to college. And you will continue to learn and grow as a human being.

5

I believe you GPA is pretty good , you have taken hard classes , it is difficult to get higher GPA when rigorous classes are taken. You had the choice to take regular classes, or honors and get 4 UW GPA , but instead you choose to challenge yourself with AP. I hope colleges understand and take that into account when deciding who to admit. I hope they look at the classes taken and make a relation with the GPA.

6

Your essays will be a crucial part of your application - specially if you are concerned that your GPA and/or standard tests don’t tell the full story.

Yes, your list of extracurricular activities are important, and of value - but in some way those are just more “stats” which will be compared against similar “stats” of other applicants.

Your essay will give you the chance to personalize those numbers and stats, explaining their context, giving them “meaning”. You’ll be able to paint a more rounded picture of who you are and why the “overall package” could be a good fit for Barnard.