I said I would never throw myself to the wolves on College Confidential but everyone in the Barnard forums seems nice and helpful for the most part compared to other schools/Ivy’s and I’m kind of desperate. Please note that I’m applying to Barnard through the Barnard Opportunity Program, which has lower test requirements, so yes I’m aware that my SAT score provide zero chance of admittance by regular standards, however it does put me near the top of BOP’s applicant pool. For more information about that: https://barnard.edu/sites/default/files/bop_fact_sheet_web_13-14.pdf
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): CR: 590 and 630, Math: 480, 520
(I know this looks dismal, but the maximum CR score for BOP is 620 which I meet)
ACT (breakdown):
SAT ll:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.99 weighted (my school doesn’t use unweighted & I really don’t want to know what it is. Ignorance is bliss.)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable) My county doesn’t use ranking
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Statistics
IB (place score in parenthesis): IB English HL, IB History of America, IB Topics, IB Physics l, IB Environmental Science, IB Psychology (5), IB Anthropology (4)
Senior Year Course Load: IB English HL ll, IB Topics, IB Environmental, AP Statistics, Law in Action, Journalism, Fashion Marketing
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): None
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Inspire Virginia Leader, Girls Learn International (President), Amnesty International* (Secretary), Key Club (Secretary), Student Government, PBIS Member, 2017 President (Freshman), 2017 Treasurer (Sophomore), National Honor Society, National English, History, and Science Honor Society, Newspaper Staff Writer
*These were highlighted in a few of my writing supplements
Job/Work Experience: Chickfila: (Oct 2015-August 2016) balanced a part time job (17 hours a week) with a heavy IB schedule the entire duration of my Junior year
Starbucks: Sept 2016-Present
I also work with my mom part time for InstaCart (grocery shopping/delivery service) from the beginning of senior year until present, at least 1-3 times a week for 3-5 hour shifts each
Volunteer/Community Service: Didn’t write much about this but I phone bank and hold voter registration drives with Inspire Virginia, have volunteered at DC Central Kitchen a few times and implement a yearly winter clothing/toiletries drive with Amnesty International
Summer Activities: I visited Africa for two weeks one summer but didn’t write about any summer activities
Essays (1-10, details): I’m naturally a great writer, but I’m particularly very proud of all my Barnard essays. My blood, sweat and tears went into them and I think they’re all very unique to me.
Personal statement: 9 - Got lots of positive feedback. Wrote it about something very unique to me, very tongue in cheek/ humorous but shows every angle of my personality and goals. Originally a personal writing assignment for English class and got 100% so it was a keeper.
Why Barnard: 9 - Barnard is my dream school and borderline unhealthy obsession and I think my essay reflected how interested I am in the school. I talked about subtle quirks and the value I place on their progressive, female-supportive environment and how that relates to my areas of academic interest (Human Rights, English, Political Science). Even mentioned their zine collection because I’m crazy.
Woman in History: 9 - I wrote mine on Beyonce. Though it was risky in my opinion, it came naturally from the heart and was written intelligently and very feminist. I saw that their admissions Instagram posted a pic and quote from her so I feel good about it now!
Major in Unafraid: 9 - I wrote about being unafraid to promote human rights. Pretty personal, as my vocality burned a lot of bridges for me throughout high school (I was harassed, lost friends, etc.) Shared my passion of human rights and activism and talked about my involvement in those areas.
Recommendations:
Teacher’s Rec #1: 8 - she was my IB Physics teacher and although I struggled, I reached my goal by the end of the year and she valued my effort (we talked about that a lot. She was very proud and supportive of my small victories).
Teacher’s Rec #2: 7 - my IB Anthropology teacher and now Law in Action teacher, he knows me well but finished my letter pretty quickly which makes me a little nervous but he’s also amazing at butt kissing
Additional Rec #1: 9 - my photography teacher who recently retired, we were very close and I wrote a goodbye article for her in the school newspaper. Always spoke highly of me
Additional Rec #2: 9 - my Inspire Virginia supervisor, we got to know one another well during training and I’m very active in Inspire so I’m sure it’s great
Interview: I would give it an 8. I was nervous in the beginning but my alumni interviewers was very sweet and easy to talk to. She was impressed with my work history and my interest in the school and we made productive conversation that went both ways.
Other:
State (if Domestic Applicant): VA
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: African American
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: >40,000
Hooks: Second generation, my mom didn’t finish college, my dad attended college and had a doctorate, however for the most part I had little guidance (distant father, passed away beginning of senior year so maybe that’s one?) I’m Black so I guess I’m URM. Economically disadvantaged.