I’m a rising high school senior facing a difficult decision about college. I love Barnard, and have been thinking about applying there ED. This may be my best chance at getting in, due to the fact that my GPA is quite low for them. However, it would put a strain on my family’s finances and I would have to take out loans, and limit the summer/study abroad opportunities I might have.
McGill is my other top choice, and financially much more realistic. However, I know I’d be kicking myself if I decided to forego Barnard ED for McGill and then didn’t get in.
I’d like to know if I have a good chance of being admitted to McGill’s Faculty of Arts, or if I should go with ED at my other top choice.
I got a 3.7 average in 10th grade, with all honors and an AP class. My 11th grade GPA was a 3.9, with four AP classes and two IB classes. My senior year, I am taking AP Statistics, AP Computer Science, IB English, IB History, a required gym credit, and an internship with a law office in Washington DC during the school day.
On my SAT, I got 770 reading, 670 math (retaking to hopefully bring up to 730), and 6/6/6 on my essay (retaking). I received 730 on my US History and Literature subject tests.
Another thing I should mention is that my school offers the IB diploma, but I did not do it, in order to take art magnet classes my first three years and do this internship my senior year. I do not think it will be held against me considering I have an internship related to my career goals (I will explain in extenuating circumstances) but of course I could be wrong.
@TomSrOfBoston Sorry, this was unclear-- I am aware of that. I mean if I apply to Barnard ED and get in, I cannot go to McGill, which logistically makes a lot more sense. However, I’m not sure if I should make the gamble of not applying ED just because I want to go to McGill, when there’s no certainty of me getting in. I’ve looked at the acception minima on their website, but I was wondering if someone might have a clearer idea about my chances
Still not sure what you are asking. If you apply to and are accepted ED at Barnard AND you and your family can stand the financial strain then you are all set. If denied or deferred ED at Barnard you can then choose which school to attend in the spring. For Arts your stats appear to be significantly above the minima so McGill would be a near safety in my opinion. McGill admissions is not holistic. For Americans it is UW GPA and SAT/ACT. They do not practice yield protection.
Why would any college accept a student with lower-than-average GPA in the ED round? ED provides an opportunity for colleges to lock in strong candidates – or candidates who offer something they want (such as athletic recruits) – but there is no benefit to accepting weaker candidates, when they know that they will have many more RD applicants to choose from.
From what you have posed, I don’t think that your GPA is low – but if in fact it seems low to Barnard admissions, they are going to want to see a mid-year transcript, so they are likeliy to defer your application. But there’s always a risk that the reject you outright in December.
Plus if Barnard is a strain financially,you probably shouldn’t apply ED in any case.
