<p>I have a 89.99% cumulative GPA. However, my last average (in junior year) was a 99%. My subsequent averages after freshman year did not deviate from a 92-99% range. My only “failure” remains low averages in freshman year. I do not know whether Barnard College will look at this as progress, indicative that I am passionate and academically determined to succeed now or a flaw in the entire picture.</p>
<p>My SAT scores for critical reading and writing were in the 97% percentile. My math is a lot lower, but I have been studying for it intensively and I plan to get at least 660 by the time I take the SAT again.</p>
<p>I have taken two AP tests and have received fives on both. I will be taking two more AP’s next year.</p>
<p>The problem is extracirriculars: I’ve been active in two clubs, I’ve earned community service credit for environmentalist work, have volunteered at my local library, have taken a college-credit course in journalism, and have done a summer workshop for Shakespeare. It’s not much, but I plan to do more volunteering and hopefully grab hold of any other opportunity to be more active.</p>
<p>…So, Barnard alumnis and current students and parents of Barnard students and alumnis…what would you say is the chance of me getting in?</p>
<p>Parent of current Barnard student here!
There is absolutely no way to guage your "chances" except to say that if you do not apply, you will not get in. Sorry, I do not mean to be impudent, just that your application itself and the way you present yourself in it will, literally, make all the difference. Make a point of explaining your poor performance your freshman year and your dramatic improvement subsequently. What was going on in your life? How did you turn that around??</p>
<p>The other suggestion I have is to NOT feel you must have tons and tons of "extracurriculars" just to impress the adcoms. Hopefullly there is an activity or interest about which you are, well, passionate (to use a much over-utilized adjective) that will make you seem a good "fit" for Barnard. Be honest with yourself and with the adcoms and don't try to just randomly do more "stuff" to be able to say you did! Barnard seems to be unique in that they truly do look beyond numbers to who/what the applicant can bring to the campus environment that will add to the class they wish to create. Make sure your application conveys those unique qualities that you possess....</p>
<p>Best to you!</p>
<p>Well, I've already written three different drafts of college essays tailored to explain my freshman year. But thank you for your response! I admit, I've been trying to impress with extracirriculars because I feel the need to compensate for everything else, and also, I wasn't very active in those during my freshman and sophomore year. </p>
<p>I guess my major interests are feminism and literature. I do not think I've expressed these in my extracirriculars (except the Shakespeare workshop), but I shall take what you've said into account.</p>