Chance me! Barnard, University of Michigan, Wellesley, NYU

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hello, I am a rising senior looking to see what her chances are at Barnard, University of Michigan, Wellesley and NYU. I am planning to apply for ED at Barnard. My ACT score is weak and I can bump it up to at least a 31. However, I believe that my ECs and GPA are pretty decent. I’m not worried about recommendations as I have a member of Los Angeles’ council and a president of an organization as well as a few teachers who have told me they’re more than happy to write a letter for me. I’m planning on taking two more subject tests and re-taking the ACT in September. I am of Asian descent (Korean).

ACT: 28C Writing: 10
SAT II: U.S. History (720)
GPA: 4.25(W)/3.8(UW)

AP Classes:
-Bio
-World History
-Art History
-Calculus
-Language and Composition
-US History
-Statistics
-Literature
-Drawing
-Government
-Environmental science

EC:
-Founder of CATCO: California Teen Community Outreach is an organization that targets a community need every summer. For example, homeless women in Los Angeles do not have easy access to feminine hygienic products. We have created fundraisers and held small seminars in schools to raise enough money to create care packages distributed to women’s homeless shelters across LA.
-President of UDLA: Unification of Disabled Latin Americans was first founded as a movement to empower disabled Latin Americans in their communities. Now a non-profit organization, I am the president of the valley branch. Every weekend, we do community events such as community beautification days, gathering books to donate to homeless shelters, and attending/speaking at small seminars for Los Angeles youth.
-Vice president of my school’s JSA chapter
-Feature editor of school’s newspaper
-Active member of Key Club
-Internship at a councilmember’s office
-Internship at an organization for human rights
-Internship for leadership and empowerment of immigrant youth

If this helps just a little, I am the first in my family to be attending college. Also, it may be a little difficult for my parents to pay for the next ACT exam so there is a small possibility this ACT score is the one I may have to stick with.

2

I’m looking to major in political science and minoring in economics.

3

Barnard would definitely consider you despite your ACT score. No promises – with the current low admission rate, there are no guarantees – but I think Barnard would like your leadership positions and the type of organizations you are involved with – so you definitely should apply.

However, given your financial limitations, I’'d advise against applying to NYU – they will not meet full need, and they are very skimpy with financial aid except for students at the very top of their applicant pool --and your ACT score means tha you won’t be one of those lucky students.

Also, if you are not a Michigan resident, you’ll run into similar problems there-- they do not meet need for nonresident students.

Do consider some of the other women’s colleges that meet full need, but which admit a greater percentage of applicants than Barnard or Wellesley. I think that you are likely to get into some great colleges, but affording them might be a problem-- so you have to think about financial aid from the start as you create your college list.