Barnard Opportunity Program meaning

<p>"You were selected to interview for the Barnard Opportunity Program at Barnard College. The Barnard Opportunity Program provides a select group of students from outside New York State with the academic and financial support to succeed at Barnard.</p>

<p>A lending library, laptop computers, free tutoring, mentoring, and study skills workshops, and graduate school preparation and career guidance are available to all BOP Scholars in addition to the resources and support they receive as Barnard students. The BOP Scholars Program benefits students who meet both the academic and financial criteria as defined by the College.</p>

<p><a href="http://barnard.edu/admissions/apply/higher-ed-opportunity-programs/bop">http://barnard.edu/admissions/apply/higher-ed-opportunity-programs/bop</a>"</p>

<p>I’m a little freaked out. I have accepted an interview but I have no idea what’s about to happen. Does this mean if I am accepted that my full tuition will be paid? Does this factor into the admissions’ process? If anyone has information on this please let me know.
(I was deferred to the regular decision pool, btw.)</p>

<p>Bump.</p>

<p>Bump bump. :/</p>

<p>Yes, it means that if you are accepted to Barnard, you will get a significantly better financial aid package than other students. </p>

<p>Thanks. I was deferred so do you think if they didn’t want to accept me, I wouldn’t have been sent the interview scheduling? Or could it still be up in the air?</p>

<p>I’d go with “up in the air” --but it’s still a good sign. A student who would not be admitted under normal circumstances might be admitted if she qualifies for BOP, because BOP actually requires that students have a lower SAT or ACT score. </p>

<p>That is, the program sets a maximum score of a 620 on the SAT CR, or 24 English subscore on the ACT. So normally those would be weak scores and hurt your chances – but for students admitted under BOP those are the top scores.</p>

<p>So it is possible that you got deferred because your test scores are weak, and rather than rejecting you, the admissions department wants to know whether you qualify for BOP. So in a sense BOP may be the only chance you have to get admitted. </p>

<p>I’m just speculating and I think you should still assume that Barnard is a reach, but not impossible. If Barnard didn’t want you, they would have rejected you – that deferral means “maybe” and they want more info. </p>

<p>BOP can only help – a positive report after your interview will give you a leg up, and it might also be the only way you will ever be able to afford Barnard if you do get in. So be happy, and think positively. But don’t give up your safety – you’ll have your final answer from Barnard in a few weeks. </p>