Gap year to improve admission chances?

Applying to College
1

<p>I am currently a junior at a extremely competitive high school in New York state. I have fallen in love with Barnard College in New York, but i feel as if my stats are not up to par with the rest of the applicants in the pool. Would a gap year help my chances at all. It would probaly be a gap year dedicated to academic study and then community service. This would throw a few more grades into the pool and show more depth on my application, But is it worth it and would it really improve my standing? I feel like i need to buy more time!My stats are below</p>

<p>My school does not rank and my GPA after this year will be in the 3.5-3.6 range. My grade average i know is a little low for barnard. Do too a learning disability (disgraphia+dyslexia) my freshmen and sophomore years were not great performances but i still took an all honors course load and an the only AP Course offered to sophomores. My grades so far during junior year have been As and A-s except for a B+ in Spanish( a weakness due to my Learning disability)</p>

<p>APs
Ap Biology
AP USA
AP World History- scored a 5
Ap Art History
Ap Studio Art
Ap Environmental
Ap English </p>

<p>My SAT Scores
AP Bio projection 700
AP USA projection 750
SAT- 2100
650 math, writing sectin 750, reading 730</p>

<p>Extra Curricular Activities
1) Founded and Run the Student Drama productions (jobs included producer, director, set designer, costume designer) 3 years
2) Model United Nations (delegate for 4 years, in addition to running two fundraisers for the club and organizing a human rights day)
3) Human Rights Club(3 years, 2 fund raisers run and ran upstander day)
4)School Drama productions(3 years, Sound operator, Assitant stage manager)
5) Fashion Instuite Of Technology Saturday School (4 classes taken focusing in apparel design)
6)Environmental Club (co founder)
7) Animal Shelter volunteer(2 years)
9)Paper Girl at school , deliver new york times every morning to teachers and faculty
10) Hobbies- Sewing, silkscreening, making own cloths
Summer Programs
1) Rhode Island School of Design Pre college 6 week program
2) Wilderness Backpacking since 4th grade for 5 weeks every year
Awards
1)Annual Arts award</p>

2

<p>My daughter just finished her freshman year at Barnard and your test scores are much stronger than hers. Her GPA was somewhat higher, but it sounds like your high school is more competitive and you seem to have some strong EC's. Basically I think your stats will put you in the running for Barnard, and the really important thing is to project your personality and interests. I don't see why you would plan to take a gap year solely to improve your chances -- why don't you apply and see what happens? If you don't get in and don't like your other choices, you can still consider a gap year and reapply.</p>

<p>If you will not need financial aid and are absolutely sure that Barnard is your top choice, then apply ED. </p>

<p>Let Barnard know about the learning disabilities but put it in a positive light and don't dwell on it -- you just want to say something about how you have overcome the challenges. I wouldn't worry about making an excuse for a B+ -- it's just that if you have mostly Bs or Cs in 9th & 10th grade it would be good to explain that, or have your g.c. write something. Again - you want the message to come across that you have faced challenges and overcome them due to your high level of motivation and commitment.</p>