<p>Well I kind of have an issue thats probably unique to most CCers. For about a year I have had my heart set on going to Barnard, and only now with junior year coming to an end is the panic beginning to set in about my chances there. Now I know what you're thinking - its your first choice, so apply ED. But I can't. Barnards ED Policy is that if you get in ED you cannot defer for a year. Well I am already planning on deferring and that really is not negotiable. Another school I have been looking at that is comparable in some aspects is Columbia, being that it is a similar location, academics some interaction etc. But..
1)Are my stats good enough to get into Barnard without ED?
2)If I apply and get in ED to Columbia will I be able to make my experience similar to that of Barnard?
3) Do I even have any chance of getting into Columbia? I wouldn't apply ED anywhere else, so does it really matter?
4) Could I ruin my chances at Barnard by applying ED to Columbia even though Barnard is my number one choice and I would rather go there?</p>
<p>Just to provide a background here are my stats:</p>
<p>SAT: 2210 (750CR 740W 720M)
SATII: Take in October : US History, Math IIC, Literature
GPA: ~93 UW (sorry can't be more specific)
APs: 11th - APUSH 12th - AP English, AP Bio, AP Calculus
ECs: Drama (actress) : 9, 11, 12
Student Ambassador Club: 9,10,11,12
Newspaper(reporter then World News Editor): 11, 12
Charity Committee(member then chair of committee) 9,12
Work: Youth leader at synagogue for 5 years - 3 hrs a week
Counselor in Backyard camp for 3 years - 8 weeks/25 hrs a week</p>
<p>Thank you so much in advance I really would appreciate any input on my slightly weird situation. Thank you!</p>
<p>P.S. Since I also obviously need other match/safety schools would you evaluate my chances at these schools and tell me if I have a decent range.<br>
NYU
UPenn
Brandeis
U of Maryland
Boston U
Rutgers</p>
<p>well, you're right, it is a problem since Barnard ED is by far your best shot. What is your class rank - and does your school have a history of sending kids to the elites?</p>
<p>I like the rest of your list.</p>
<p>If you really want Barnard and plan to take a gap year, then why not simply not apply senior year? After all, you know you plan to take a gap year anyway. Apply the fall after senior year. If you've got a productive gap year, that will strengthen your applications anyway.</p>
<p>cool2bars,
It is a dilemma and you are feeling anxious because you have an unsolvable conflict. If deferring a year is a must, then applying ED to Barnard is not an option, so forget about it. Step back a minute and think about why Barnard is your first choice. Then investigate whether a Columbia experience is the same as a Barnard experience. There are obvious overlaps: is being in NYC key? Going to an Ivy? But there are obvious differences. If Barnard is really special, and Columbia would be significantly different for you, and you would be forever kicking yourself for not trying to get in th Barnard, then I would recommend going RD to Barnard. On the other hand. if ColU is really pretty close to Barnard for you then ED to Col U (I assume you can defer a year there) would be reasonable. But keep in mind that although you are definitely qualified to apply to Barnard and Columbia, the chances of getting accepted at either one is still probably considerably less than 50%, even with ED. The competition is too high and the vagaries of acceptance too undefined. Even if you had 800 boards, you just never know at such selective places. The other schools you have listed are a very good spread and include some great places, including some where you will definitely be accepted. You will be going to a great school in 2 years, for sure!</p>
<p>Thank you guys all so much for your help. Any other suggestions?</p>
<p>I didn't see Northstarmom's post before I posted mine. But I think she has a good point. If I were you, I'd talk to a Barnard's admission officer about applying now and deferring versus applying next year. What are you going to be doing for the gap year?</p>
<p>Well I plan on attending a year long seminary/yeshiva in Israel. What does that say to adcoms? I have not yet decided on which one and some of them give grades/tests but some of them don't.</p>
<p>cool2bars
I'm not sure what that says to an adcom. I don't think that it would be a negative, but whether it's a positive or neutral, not sure. I think it would depend on what the year entails. It sounds like an academic endeavor, rather than a leadership role. In either case, I could see how that it would make you more attractive to a college as you would be bringing something special and unusual to the campus in terms of your experience. And if you tie it in to apersonal vision of your future on your essay, it should be viewed as a significant positive feature. Still, I don't really know how it will be perceived by an adcom. I do think that a discussion with an admissions officer can be very helpful in figuring out a strategy. If you are worried that talking with a Barnard officer in the unlikely event they would react negatively you could contact one of the other colleges you will be applying to.</p>
<p>ok guys thanks so much for all the advice. Anyone else have any ideas?</p>
<p>Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.</p>