Gap Year or RD

Colleges and Universities A-Z Barnard College
1

<p>Hello fellow Barnard lovers!</p>

<p>Let me start by putting out the facts. I’m an international student. I have a cousin in Barnard currently, but she’s a citizen. So, I’m not sure if it counts as legacy. I study under the British Edexcel curriculum, which means we have two main board exams - of which the second one has two parts. So basically I give board exams in my 10th, 11th and 12th grade. I’ve given the first two, and will give the third in May. The first is O’ Levels and is basic high school level stuff. The second and third, if I get A’s, will count as a college credit in many schools so it is similar to APs. I’ll be giving my SATs in October, but so far my predicted is a 2100 (I’ve been getting within a 2100 to 2250 range the past few mocks that I’ve given). I worked at a local newspaper for about a year. I’m the founder of my own school’s newsletter, head of the yearbook committee, and student head of the environment club. I’ve also helped the school out in judging the ICT fair and hosting bake sales for various events. I’ve done a variety of community service programs including teaching underprivileged slum children basic English, Bengali and Math. I also partook a very selective Leadership training course sponsored by the American Embassy. I’m also positive I’ll get great recs. The teacher who’s signing as my guidance counsellor (as we don’t have one) absolutely loves me, and the other teachers have all seen me in class and outside (I’m from a small scale, very selective school).</p>

<p>Here’s the catch though. I did exceptionally well in my 10th grade exam - all A*s in the eight subjects I took. However, I got very complacent in the 11th grade and got two C’s in Biology and Chemistry - and I plan on studying Biochemistry. </p>

<p>I have a chance to re-take my exams in May and pull up my grades, alongside the 12th grade exam. However, then I’ll have to take a gap year. I have a good plan to utilize my gap year: return to the newspaper where I used to work and also secure an internship at a genetic and biochemistry laboratory. So, it’s not like my year will be wasted. If I take a gap year, I’ll need to register for the exams by April and I’m not sure if I’ll get my decision letter by then.</p>

<p>I just want some advice. Should I apply RD or take the gap year?</p>

2

<p>I forgot to mention, I’ll be applying for aid - and hopefully a lot of it. While my dad has a decent income here, when converted the numbers turn out very low. My mum doesn’t work, and they also have my sister, who is only in 7th grade, to support.</p>

3

<p>Unfortunately, I am pretty sure that Barnard does not guarantee financial aid to meet the need of international students. So you might not get enough help there…</p>

<p>From Barnard’s website ( <a href=“http://barnard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements/international-student-application-requirements[/url]”>http://barnard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements/international-student-application-requirements&lt;/a&gt; )</p>

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<p>What that means is, those need-based scholarships will be given to the most highly qualified applicants. This also means that your need for financial aid will put you at a disadvantage for admission. </p>

<p>I am just a parent of a Barnard graduate, though. So just because I get this off the website does not mean you should not apply…just be aware of what you are facing.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for your reply! Yes, this particular section is what actually made me reconsider applying this year. I’m fairly confident that if I retake my exams, I should get a near perfect GPA. Your post reconfirms that I should probably wait until my application package is the best that it can be. :)</p>

5

<p>I did not have a perfect GPA and got in with a full financial aid. It is truly not only about numbers here.</p>

6

<p>I’m an international too. Are you applying from Bangladesh? PM me if you are. Good Luck!</p>

7

<p>I’ve decided to apply this year and try my luck. If I get in, with the right amount of aid, then that’s great. Otherwise, I’ll try again next year with a better application package.</p>