Chances for Barnard?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Barnard College
1

<p>These past few months. I’ve fallen in love with Barnard and it’s one of my top choices, but I’m not sure if I’ll stand a chance. I’ve already posted chancing info but I didn’t include Barnard.</p>

<p>I’m a rising Asian senior, international school and passport.</p>

<p>Freshman GPA: 3.8
Sophomore GPA: 3.76
Junior GPA: 3.62 (1st semester) 3.52 (2nd)
Cumulative: 3.69-3.7 (unweighted)
no ranking system or weighted grades in my school</p>

<p>Courses:</p>

<p>APUSH (5)
AP Psych (5)
AP Bio (5)
AP Lang & Comp (not back yet…hopefully a 4/5)</p>

<p>plan on taking: AP Calc AB, AP Euro, AP Lit, AP Econ (Macro/Micro)</p>

<p>I took Spanish 4 this year, the equivalent of AP Spanish, and I’m moving on to taking Spanish 5 next year, which is equal to the IB Spanish B Year 2 level. I’ve also taken Band for the past 3 years, and still plan on taking it next year as an elective.</p>

<p>SAT IIs: US History (690), Biology E (660)
SAT I: 1920 – 670 M 640 CR 610 W (I was so mortified…I’m retaking it in October)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>I’m really not much of an athlete due to health issues. I was involved in my school’s community service program full-time in 9th grade, visiting orphanages etc. every week after school. Joined the Habitat for Humanity club sophomore year till now, just got elected for a leadership position for the next school year. I plan on going on a Habitat building trip as well. On weekends I alternate weeks for visiting orphanages and volunteering at a cerebral palsy care home as much as I can. In addition, I’m also involved in NHS and Prom Committee.</p>

<p>I’ve played the piano for 9-10 years, passed the ABRSM level 8 exam along with intermediate music theory. Also played clarinet in band since 5th grade.</p>

<p>I’m passionate about classical music, appreciating art, and humanitarian endeavors, but my school has limited opportunities for me to expand on them. …so I’m not sure how I’ll be able to show my interest in those areas.</p>

<p>On a different note, I’m also interested in studying abroad, either in Japan or Europe (I’d like to do a double major on art history and business). Are Barnard and Columbia study abroad programs part of the same system?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>just wondering, will you apply to barnard ED?</p>

<p>have you considered taking the ACT? you're SATs are kinda low, although not dreadfully, and the ACT is a good option for those of us who just can't get the SAT. :)</p>

<p>And don't worry about not doing sports...in your app, just concentrate on your service. </p>

<p>i don't know your answer about barnard/columbia study abroad, but i hear that the barnard one is excellent.</p>

3

<p>Would it be easier applying ED?</p>

<p>Yeah I don't think I'm a good SAT test taker but it'll be a bit hard for me to take the ACT since I live in Asia and there are few, if any, ACT testing centers.</p>

4

<p>it's a smaller pool of applicants in ED, so your chances are better. but remember, your bound to the school if you get in, regardless of your financial package.</p>

<p>if you aren't physically able to take the ACT, then retake the SAT. remember, barnard's a school where stellar SAT scores are not necessarily needed. they take into consideration other, more important things, like your GPA, extracurriculars, and essays.</p>

5

<p>I'm really indecisive so I'm not sure about ED yet...I don't have any financial issues but I don't want to change my mind or anything.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

6

<p>reach but not that much of a reach. not hopeless.</p>

7

<p>haha it's always good to hear that, but i still don't want to get my hopes up. i'm thinking about applying ED but i'm also hoping to pull my grades up for the first semester of senior year...would they see these grades? i'm hoping a 3.7 cumulative isn't too hopeless, especially since my SAT scores were less than stellar. </p>

<p>i was also wondering, how are the dorms and food at barnard? or just life in general?</p>

8

<p>From what my daughter tells me & what I've seen: Food at Barnard gets a C- -- not good at all, and a big problem during the next 2 years while Nexus is under construction. OK after the first year if you can avoid a dorm requiring a meal plan, because it is NYC & there is are all sorts of great places to eat if you haven't spent all your money already on a meal plan. (Not that I'm going to do it, but if I were to give my daughter the same amount of money that the meal plan would have for the coming year - she could eat in style even at NYC prices.)</p>

<p>As to the dorms: I think they are pretty nice taking into account the fact that it is urban living where space is limited, and some of the buildings are quite old. But I stayed with my daughter in her dorm room for a weekend, and the room had more space than I remembered from my college days at a public university, and the bathrooms were clean enough that I was comfortable using them. So don't expect <em>huge</em> but for student living, the dorms seemed quite comfortable.</p>