<p>I’m pretty much in love with Barnard, and haven’t been able to find another school that seems to fit my interests as much as this lovely women’s college. That said, I’m applying ED!</p>
<p>I come from a public school in NJ with a class size of about 400. I’m Caucasian, well-off, and my mother went to Barnard way back when. I also have an uncle who currently teaches at Columbia, and his wife also went to Barnard (I don’t think that counts, though). I plan to major in biology and I play clarinet!</p>
<p>My school doesn’t rank, but I am in the first decile, and most likely the top five in the class.
GPA: 4.0 (unweighted), 4.8 (weighted)
PSAT: 208 (National Merit commended student)
SAT I: 2120 (700, 720, 700)
SAT II: Bio E (790), US History (660), Spanish (680)
ACT (no writing): 35 (!!)</p>
<p>I have taken all honors classes, with the exception of band and gym (and two art classes my senior year, because of major scheduling conflicts), as well as 4 APs, with another 3 this year.
AP Bio: 5
AP English Lang&Comp (no class): 4
AP Spanish Lang: chickened out on the test, but took the class
AP US History: 4
AP Calc AB: 5
AP English Lit: –
AP Spanish Lit: –
AP Calc BC: --</p>
<p>ECs:
Marching band (9-12, section leader 12)
Pit orchestra (audition, 9 & 11, will try out this year)
Stage & lighting crew (10, will do it this year if I don’t get into pit)
Yearbook staff (12)
Tri-M Music Honors Society (9-12)
Thespian Society (10-12)
Spanish Honors Society (12)
National Honors Society (12, elected VP)
Middle school pit orchestra (9-12, hand-picked students to play with professionals for our poor little middle school’s musicals, a volunteer service)</p>
<p>I do a LOT of traveling with my family, all recreationally. I’ve been to an s-load of states, 7 European countries, several islands in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Canada (big whoop). Outside of that, here are my summer activities:</p>
<p>Concordia Spanish Language Camp (9)
Summer Music Program (10-11, participant and volunteer)
American Music Abroad (11, 2.5-week tour around Europe with an honor band, giving free performances)</p>
<p>I scheduled an interview and an overnight stay for later this month. My recs should be good; I’ve had some really fantastic teachers that I’ve grown friendly with, and my guidance counselor is a Columbia graduate. (on that note, would it be unwise to send in a supplemental rec from my band director, with whom I have an extremely close relationship?) My essay is on scuba diving, for which I’ve been certified for four years, and is pretty much the love of my life.</p>
<p>I realize my grades put me in a good position, but I’m a little worried about everything else. Comments, advice?</p>