Love Barnard..please chance me

<p>I have been looking at Film/Cinema Studies programs on East Coast. Am now officially in love w/Barnard. Please chance me:</p>

<p>NYC Private, all girls school…very well known.</p>

<p>Expected GPA: 3.5-3.7.<br>
PSAT 196
Expected SAT’s: approx. 680 Math, 680 CR, 750+ WR.
Will take SAT II’s in Math and English LIt.</p>

<p>Course Load: most rigorous. Double language 4 years (Honors), AP English Lit, Honors Calc. Expect to pick up at least 2 more AP’s next year. Film Class 3 years.</p>

<p>EC’s: Will graduate 5 year Varsity Swimmer, Entertainment Section Editor since grade 9 for school paper, Peer Leader, founder new club: Film Society. Community Service teaching swimming at non-profit swim camp in summer, Internship at Media Financial Firm, two summers, member outside Swim Team since age 11. Summer swim camp every year.</p>

<p>Intended major: Film Studies.</p>

<p>I think my GPA may be low but maybe they will take rigor into consideration? Any thoughts anyone? Thanks so much.</p>

<p>They will take the difficulty of your courseload into consideration, so good job with that. I think you'll have a decent chance at getting in.</p>

<p>REally? My GPA scares the heck out of me. I do have decent EC's I guess...does it help if I come from an all girls school? Does that show a belief in single sex education?</p>

<p>Barnard gives you a lot of room to present yourself in their essays so you could mention attending an all girls school, the impact it’s had on you, why you think a girls school provides the best education, etc…</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Thanks so much...that gives me a little hope.</p>

<p>I applied to Barnard ED with a 3.69 overall gpa unweighted (3.75 academic) and was accepted for the class of 2013. Though Barnard tends to have a really high average incoming first-year GPA (like, frighteningly close to 4.0), the admission staff (in my opinion) truly takes into great consideration difficulty of one's course load and isn't wholly concerned with numbers. </p>

<p>You seem to have a lot going for you. Best of luck!</p>

<p>Thanks...I plan on working really hard this next semester but Physics and Latin iV are killers.</p>

<p>Agreed with inasummertown. I don't know how valid this statement is, but I think the admission staff likes it when applicants, in addition to all of its strengths that motivate people to apply every year, see the women's college aspect as something that draws them to Barnard, which seems to be your case. Also, I'd highlight in your essay about why you're seeking Barnard for your intended major and why film/cinema is important to you that shows you put time and thought into your college selections.</p>

<p>Overall, they want to see that you will be able to handle the work there (through rigor of schedule and grades, but there's some wiggle room), that you are "interesting" and have something to contribute to the school (through types of courses you chose at school, interview if you chose to do one, and extra curriculars), that you can express yourself through writing (essays -- and feel free to be creative with them if you want; it doesn't have to be the "cookie-cutter" college essay), and make it known that you love and feel at home with Barnard (i.e. liberal arts experience, small classes, intended major, opportunities at Barnard that you could get nowhere else, etc.) and not just "because it's in NYC."</p>

<p>^^^Thanks for your advice. As I have been touring colleges this last week I have to say that Barnard is still tops for me for many reason. Yes it is great it is in NYC but since that is my home I think I will be able to portray the true importance of why I want to be there...not just because it is in NY. I also found out an out of touch friend is there now so I plan on contacting her too and I think I can get some great recommendations from school so I am definitely planning on applying...a girl can dream can't she?</p>