Looking to Transfer

Colleges and Universities A-Z Barnard College
1

I’m currently a first year student at the University of Virginia. And I’ve had one hell of a year.

I applied to Barnard regular decision my senior year of high school and was waitlisted. I was absolutely heartbroken. I decided to spend a year at a state school that I could afford, the University of Virginia, out of convenience (almost full ride, close to home to take care of my family and my sick father.) I didn’t mind this little detour in my dreams and wanted to take it slow and work for the best GPA I could possibly achieve to make up for a lackluster high school record (3.8 GPA, 2110 SAT, and typical extracurriculars.)

But my first semester at UVA, my father passed away from cancer. My GPA was a wreck. My second semester at UVA, I was assaulted. You guessed it, my GPA is now an even bigger wreck. I’m standing with my heart in my hands and a 2.5 GPA wondering if it’s even worth it to apply as a transfer in the fall to Barnard. I’m wondering if it’s worth getting my hopes to apply to any small northern liberal arts colleges, period.

I don’t want my transfer application to sound like a sob story, but I have gone through unimaginable things in the course of a school year. I’ve had academic advisors ask me how I am still standing after everything I’ve gone through. And I don’t even know how! I just know that I’m taking it one day at a time. And I’m a very, very determined person bent on escaping my “southern charm” college of prep school kids I can’t possibly relate to. I just don’t fit in.

My question is: is it worth it?

2

So sorry about this, really. As far as Barnard goes, I can’t for sure say whether or not you’d get in. It might be worth explaining what happened, not for sympathy but as an explanation–your high school record shows that you’re capable. If you’re miserable then it’s definitely worth applying to as many small liberal arts schools as you can. It sounds like although Barnard is a top choice, you’d probably be happier anywhere but UVA. I’d recommend looking into schools with tightly knit communities too, as many liberal arts schools have. Best of luck!!