So it’s been forever since I’ve been on College Confidential, but I am a second year student (just finished) at the University of Chicago and I am looking to transfer to Barnard for the fall or spring of 2020 (can’t decide if I just want to take off and work for a semester or full year, but that should be ironed out in the next month or so).
My main interest at Barnard is their creative writing program; writing had always been something I simply have to do, and it’s become something I want to pursue. I remember in high school Barnard sent me a big admissions folder that had a shelf with the titles of all the books their alumnae have written, and reading about the program I fell in love with the school. I was not allowed to apply though because my very conservative parents, who were paying for it, stood firm in their belief that all women’s colleges, even those that have co-ed classes like Barnard does, are full of liberal brainwashing professors who coddle their students (their words, not mine!)
The school my dad did really like was UChicago, and I kind of convinced myself that was the best place for me. I ended up getting accepted Early Decision I. It has been a rough ride, and after a lot of reflection I’ve decided that I need a place that is more suited to who I am both as a student and a person. My very top two are Barnard and Bennington.
I’ve read on Barnard’s website that they look at both college and high school stuff when considering their transfer applicants. High school I am not worried about. I was a stellar student, got great AP scores (5’s on World History, AP Lit, and AP Lang), was National Merit Commended, and won two gold and one silver key for my short stories in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. I also backpacked a lot in the summer, was a top volunteer at my city’s science museum, participated in a Shakespearean Literature program in Oxford, was on the Literary Committee at my school, and earned my Girl Scout Gold Award. (Sorry to ramble, just wanted to give a clear picture of the overachieving stress case I was in high school). I got a 33 on my ACT.
I also know they require a personal statement and writing supplement and frankly, I’m not too worried about that either. I am a fairly good writer. I had to write four essays for UChicago (including the Common App essay), and frankly I think my “Uncommon” essay, the response to the special quirky prompts, was what made me stand out and was one of the major reasons I got in.
What I’m worried about is college. First year, I had a very hard time adjusting and was diagnosed with severe depression, and UChicago is notorious for their core and having no grade inflation. This meant I ended up getting C’s in two classes I loathed and will probably never need: Calculus and Biology. While I am essentially finished with the Core and have taken a few classes towards my intended majors of Art History and English/Creative Writing (was a minor there actually), things nevertheless got worse my second year. I only got one A and one A- in two years. Most were in the B/B+ range with some B- in there as well. This is mainly because my mental health got considerably worse my second year, with the death of my grandmother in the fall and, in the spring, two hospitalizations (the second one was following a suicide attempt in which I was re-diagnosed with bipolar disorder instead of depression they forced me to take a leave of absence). I am at home now, safe, in intensive programs that are helping me, working two part time jobs and have gotten so much better. However, my mental health, while stabilized now, has meant that my college GPA isn’t fantastic. It honestly can’t be above a 2.6. And while I was there, my extracurricular activities were limited to Model UN, my sorority (I did have a leadership position), and working part time a lot of hours in one of the campus museums. I did dedicate myself to these, at least to the latter two, and can describe the work I did for them if asked.
I don’t want this to sound like a chance-me post, but honestly is there anything I can do to let them know the circumstances of my low GPA? I don’t want it to sound like I’m using my disability as an excuse, but I just wish they knew the circumstances. Does anyone know the usual acceptance rate at Barnard for transfer students? Any information or tips from someone who has successfully transferred to Barnard or knows the process would be greatly appreciated!