Please help me - BIG PROBLEM

Applying to College
1

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?

Just to provide a background here are my stats:

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

Thank you so much in advance I really would appreciate any input on my slightly weird situation. Thank you!

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.
NYU
UPenn
Brandeis
U of Maryland
Boston U
Rutgers

2

<p>I'd say you have a good a chance as any. Columbia is an Ivy, so of course you won't be able to determine your chances of admittance. And Columbia is also one of the most 'tempermental' of the Ivy's, often rejecting students who were admitted to HYPMS. Your stats are strong, however, and as long as your essay/reccomendations are up to par, you'll have a decent shot.
I also think that, if you're deffered or rejected from Columbia, you have a pretty good chance of getting into Barnard. I think you MAY also be able to make Boston U, Brandeis, U of Maryland, Rutgers, and maybe NYU regular...of course, UPenn is a reach, but then, its a reach for everyone who applies, so just APPLY! Good luck!</p>

3

<p>anyone else - please help.</p>

4

<p>Your stats look great for Barnard. Need more info, your class rank first off to assess Columbia. If for any reason you don't get in, and you do something good for gap year, your chances will only get better.</p>

5

<p>My school doesn't rank.</p>

6

<p>Schools have a way of conveying where you stand. If you go to a typical school and are at the top, you have a shot at Columbia.</p>

7

<p>I'd say apply to barnard regular decision and columbia early. </p>

<p>if you get into columbia - try transferring to barnard</p>

<p>if you dont get into columbia, but do get into barnard - defer admission - no problem</p>

<p>if you dont get into either - (well hopefully you got in somewhere else) and then transfer?</p>

<p>I see the hard situation here.</p>

8

<p>Has anyone, ever, transfered from Columbia to Barnard? I keep thinking I've heard it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>