<p>Hi guys, I’m new here so this is my first post. I’m applying RD to Barnard but I’m FREAKING OUT ABOUT IT. My main concern is that my mom works at Columbia and I’m worried that they’ll be suspicious that I didn’t apply ED to Barnard and they’ll think I applied ED to Columbia or something. I hadn’t even considered this until now; my mother’s position in the university had never even been a factor in my decision to apply to Barnard. I just really don’t want my mom’s position at the university to adversely affect me in the admission process.
here are my stats:
2320 SAT (800 W, 800 CR, 720 M)
3.86 GPA (~3rd decile, but school doesnt report rank. I go to a very competitive and rigorous public school)
intense cancer research. siemens semifinalist.
lots of writing ECs (newspaper, senior editor of lit mag, etc)
figure skater
should i be worried??? I don’t want them to think I’m only applying cuz my mom works at Columbia, because that’s NOT THE CASE at all. I LOVE Barnard, but I just wasn’t done with all my essays by the deadline and I wanted it to be perfect before sending.
thanks!!</p>
<p>I truly think you have NOTHING to be concerned about with your mom working at Columbia. Just focus on getting across your passion for Barnard and take advantage of the fact that you are VERY familiar with the school and how it is indeed unique and (you don’t necessarily have to come out and say this) different than Columbia. </p>
<p>And there is no reason at all that they should expect you to have applied ED anywhere. ED is not appropriate for everyone, and there are many reasons people don’t apply ED to any school at all.</p>
<p>Just breathe and finish your apps and don’t stress over this at all.</p>
<p>ahhh, thank you so much. that made me feel SO much better! 
I really need to just calm down and stop stressing about this, because the only thing I can do is put my best foot forward and stop stressing out.</p>
<p>EXACTLY, Colleen. But I know it’s pretty difficult to find that “stop stressing out” button. :)</p>
<p>Focus on those things you CAN do: polishing your essays, double-check everything and then send it and find something else to focus on. You have several months left of a great Senior Year, so enjoy them!</p>
<p>Best to you…</p>
<p>thank you, churchmusicmom! best to you too.</p>
<p>emmm I think that you really shouldnt be worried…just relax</p>
<p>I could imagine a LEGACY applicant, by not applying ED might, in theory, have it count against him/her even if the stats and grades are stellar because they might figure: “hey, if you’re not applying ED you must not be really serious about loving us so much that we should give you a break”. But I can’t imagine how having a family member merely WORKING for any given university should adversely affect your chances at that university or even the neighboring one with which they have a mutual agreement. I mean, you’re applying to Barnard, not Columbia. They are two different entities, at least financially and administratively and application-wise.</p>