Barnard Ed Chances!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Barnard College
1

<p>I posted a chance thread earlier in the year, but now I know for sure that I want to apply to Barnard ED! How do my chances look?</p>

<p>*From a pretty competitive public high school in southern California, and usually 1-2 people apply to Barnard from my school each year.</p>

<p>GPA
3.76 uw/3.95 w (academic)
3.69 uw/3.87 w (total)</p>

<p>ACT
30 (going to retake in the fall)</p>

<p>SAT IIs
Bio: 670
US History: 750</p>

<p>APs
Music Theory: 4
Bio: 4
US History: 5</p>

<p>CLASSES
9th: Bio, English, Spanish, Music Theory, Algebra, Art, Health, Model UN
10th: Chem, English Honors, French, Spanish, AP Music Theory, Geometry, World History, Badminton
11th: AP Bio, English Honors, French, Spanish, Choir, Algebra 2, AP US History
12th: Physics Honors, AP English, French, AP Spanish, AP Studio Art (photography concentration), AP Stats, AP Government, AP Econ</p>

<p>12 “honors/APs” by graduation</p>

<p>EXTRA

  • Young Democrats club (3 years, pres. senior)
  • Gay-Straight Alliance (4 years, VP junior, pres. senior)
  • Cinema club (3 years, VP senior)
  • Amnesty International club (2 years, pres. senior)
  • National Honor Society
  • Museum of Tolerance Youth Advisory Board member
  • Piano lessons (12 years)
  • Teaching piano
  • Playing piano at assisted living homes
  • Tutoring
  • Photography classes (2 semesters at Art Center College of Design)
  • Film analysis class (local community college)
  • Northrop Grumman Science and Technology Course
  • Existentialism and French Cinema classes (summer study abroad in Paris)
  • AP Scholar Award</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I would say that your application needs to highlight some point of focus so the Barnard adcoms can get a good indication of how you see yourself fitting there and how they would benefit from your being a part of the incoming class. You have quite the varied resume' there, and just looking at it makes me wonder what you are all about....science?? music?? film/photography?? Is there some way you plan to integrate those interests?? How can Barnard help you achieve that?</p>

<p>Also, did you take the most demanding courses available to you at your school? If so, that will also increase your "chances". </p>

<p>Though I always add that I am just a mom of a Barnard student and am in no way really "qualified" to predict anyone's chances of admission to such a competitive school. But you have my best advice and my best wishes!!</p>

3

<p>I basically agree with churchmusicmom. For me, the most common element in your extracurriculars seemed to be one of activism (Young Democrats, GSA, Amnesty International, Museum of Tolerance), but that's just my intial conjecture. Find a focus. You are clearly an accomplished person, but you need to center your accomplishments.</p>

4

<p>Thanks you both for the feedback so far! It's been really beneficial. Though my resume is very all-over-the-place, I am thinking the stance I will take on the application will be something about how Barnard is a wonderful environment for and encouraging of becoming a true "Renaissance WOman." And also that my interest in the arts (photography/cinema especially) tie into the activism by highlighting how art on social issues have influence on policies, attitudes of the masses that can bring about change, etc.</p>

<p>Still fine-tuning this, but that's basically it. Thanks again for your helpful suggestions!</p>

5

<p>I think that is a fine idea for further focusing your application and resume'. I know from my daughter's experience at Barnard that students may well enter the school thinking they are going to do one thing with their lives (she started out thinking English or Literature and dance) and then, because in large part to the stimulating array of classes to select from in order to meet the "Nine Ways of Knowing" requirements, you may end up finding a passion which diverges completely from where you thought you would be going (she is a Neuroscience major looking to apply to PhD programs!). I also think that Barnard's "spirit" (for lack of a better term) is such that you are encouraged as a student to be completely open to new and different directions for your life and future career.</p>

<p>Best to you! You are off to a great start....enjoy the journey.</p>