<p>I am a senior, and I was recently just rejected from Northwestern Early Decision to Medill. I know that I am not valdeldictorian or perfect 2400 sats or anything, but my essays were very very good. I had been in contact with my northwestern admissions officer through email, and I sent them two articles that I have written supplementally and two activites sheets. I showed a lot of passion through my application, even though I had less than stellar grades (those were explained in my recommendations from Guidance Counselor and teacher). I am also a minority (African American). I thought I may have had somewhat of a chance, and the rejection email did shake me up a bit. But life goes on. I just hope I get Barnard. I have explained that Barnard is my my number one choice as of now. My recommendations explained all that I have had to go through during my high school years, such as having a terminally ill father and a mother who has been intstutionalized three times, and also a breast cancer survivor. This is on top of my own kidney disease that I have been born with. So, my low GPA (3.0 out of 4, and 3.5 out of 5), has been explained. I have taken a total of 8 regular college preporatory courses, 17 honors, and one AP (World History). I have excellent extracurricular activites, (Violin since third grade, part of string orchestra, pit orchesta for musicals, and full orchestra, also junior year I was member of the music honors society. I have also been a copy editor for the school paper in tenth grade, and contributing writer in 11th and 12 grades. Ever article I have written for the paper has been published, and our paper has won an Honorable Mention each of the last four years at the annual conference of the New England Scholastic Press Association. I am also president/creator of my high school STAND chapter, which is an antigenocide coalition) My volunteering hours have been about 220 altogether. I guess my point is that I believe that intellectually I am far above my peers at school, and clearly my grades do not reflect this, although they are explained. My SAT score was 1720 out of 2400, so that was not too great either, however my essays I feel are the strongest part of my application. I show my mature and intellectual ability through my writing, and I hope the admissions officers can see this. I want them to see that I would really thrive at Barnard. I also just had an interview two days ago and the interviewer (alumna), said my “enthusiasm and inquisitiveness made quite an impression on her” and that I “would fit right in at Barnard”. I hope that the Barnard admissions officers can see that I am capable of suceeding at the college. I feel that I am a very strong young woman and I hope that Barnard can see this. My parents seem convinced I will not get in ANYWHERE. Do you think that Barnard may accept me and that I may have a chance?</p>
<p>I’d apply, just see what happens. With your circumstances, it’s hard to judge, but you have 0 chance of getting in if you don’t apply.</p>
<p>what state are you from?</p>
<p>I’m not going to lie: from what I hear, Barnard does judge GPA severely and there are other girls around here (College Confidential) with amazing stories (I’m not sure they stack up to yours, though! You’re quite strong and I can tell you really are passionate). I’d agree that Barnard would definitely examine your essay closer than Northwestern since Barnard is an LAC and is about fit. And I really encourage you to apply. But I’d try for some safety schools just in case (some rolling admissions, some in state colleges). I’m not saying at ALL that you wouldn’t get into BC (I’m not even in, so how can I judge?). I think it would be awesome if you did (because I would love to meet you and have you as a fellow classmate). Your extra curricular sound spectacular. I applied to a state school where I knew I’d get in just in case everything else failed. I’m sure there is a place for you somewhere in the college realm, be it Barnard or somewhere else. Good luck!</p>
<p>wahkimoocow, I am from MA. and “smartundecided”, thank you for your post! But do you think that my very good recommendations, spectacular interview that I just had with an alumna, and my very very good essays, may compensate for my low GPA? How much are the interviews weighted in the admissions process?</p>
<p>Barnard has a holistic admissions process, meaning they do look at all considerations – but the reason they place great importance on GPA is that Barnard has a very rigorous & demanding curriculum, and they want to be sure that students they admit are going to be able to keep up and do the work. They don’t want to bring in students who are going to be overwhelmed once they get to campus. </p>
<p>I can’t really say how they might look at your application without knowing a lot of details about your pattern of grades, the school you come from, etc (which would be way too much detail about yourself to post online). The question is – if someone on the ad com wants evidence that you are capable of doing well in a challenging academic environment, where would they find it? </p>
<p>I think that your active commitment to your EC’s speaks well for you and I’m sure the Barnard ad com will give a serious look at your application – but with your GPA & test scores, Barnard is still a reach for you-- so be sure to look for some matches and safeties.</p>
<p>thanks for the post “calmom”, but do you think that since I had a fantastic interview, this would dramatically help my chances? I also just sent my Barnard admissions counselor one of the best research papers I have ever written, to give her another way to see my strengths.</p>
<p>2015hopeful: I don’t think the interview counts for much in this process. Because Barnard has “Nine Ways of Knowing” which is the name they give their distribution requirements, Barnard students must be able to succeed in a variety of disciplines so although a research paper provides insight, it will not “seal the deal”.</p>
<p>I agree with calmom. Apply but focus on matches and safeties as well.</p>
<p>Your extracurriculars are impressive, but many women applying to Barnard have similar dossiers.</p>
<p>I would suggest Drew as a match or safety. It is only 45 minutes from NYC, a train ride away, in New Jersey. DD’s ex-boyfriend attended and had an internship at the UN.</p>
<p>I am seriously considering taking the ACT in Feb. (Feb 12). I informed my admissions counselor for Barnard, and she said that I am welcome to take it, the scores just may not get to them in time, but there is a possiblilty. I always do bad on the SAT, and the SAT practice tests. For example on the SAT I got a 540 in math, and for math 1 I got 510. I got around the same for practice tests. Yet, I just took the ACT practice test from the offical ACT provider, and I scored a 33 out of 36 on the math section. I think the ACT would be better for me to add to my application if I take it in Feb. Do you think that if I do well (it seems I’m in the 32-36 range), then my chances of admission would be good?</p>
<p>I would just apply none of us knows if we’ll get in and lots of us (like me!) are nervous like you. good luck!! I guess we’ll know in a few months ;)</p>