SAT's and Admission

Colleges and Universities A-Z Barnard College
1

<p>I’m currently a Junior in high school…hoping to apply to Barnard for Class of 2012. I have a few questions regarding SATs, however…</p>

<p>1) Does Barnard use a superscore when evaluating SAT grades? On my first try (this past May), I scored a 2150: M700, CR670, W780 (Essay: 11). Are these scores definitely too low for Barnard? I am not too concerned w/ math or writing, just that CR score…</p>

<p>2) SATII’s
I took Math I (740), World History (690), and Bio-E (690) thus far, and am going to take USHistory + Literature on Saturday. How are these scores in comparison to Barnard standards, and is it necessary that I take Math II? I’m planning on majoring in Political Science/Economics.</p>

<p>I know that Standardized Tests are only a fraction of the application…still, how do you think I measure up SAT-wise??</p>

<p>Any advice would be greatly appreciated =]
Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Hey want2bIvy,</p>

<p>1) Your SAT scores are definitely fine. I got CR650, M720, W700 (and that was a combined score between two tries) and I got in.
2) These are fine as well. I did Math II (750), Literature (680) and US History (610). I'd say don't worry about taking Math II over Math I. Barnard usually has higher scores in humanities-type tests and lower scores in math/science-type test anyways.</p>

<p>If I were you, I'd stop worrying about testing. Your scores are definitely within range of Barnard. Plus, Barnard emphasizes the personal much more so than the testing aspect. They want to make sure you really want to go to Barnard. Your name implies that you are looking for an Ivy, and if you are one of the girls looking for a "backup" to Columbia, Barnard will see through that. You need to demonstrate your strong interest in the school. I would say stop testing and start working on your essays. Also make sure you are applying to schools you would actually want to attend because every school looks for students who are genuinely interested in attending.</p>

3

<p>You're fine. (: If you aren't comfortable taking Math II, don't. You've proven yourself in that respect more than many Barnard applicants.</p>

<p>If Barnard is a serious option for you, and if you take Spanish or French or German, I'd recommend taking a shot at the SAT II. I never knew this before a couple weeks ago, but you can place out of some/all of a pretty hefty language requirement (four semesters of the same language) with the right SAT II score. As in... I got a pretty wimpy 680 on the Spanish and I'm automatically placed in third-semester Spanish. Just a thought.</p>

4

<p>the origin of my username is funny, actually...originally, i wanted to attend Columbia, stay in the NYC area (I'm from the Bronx)...when initally beginning research for college admissions back in my freshman year, I came upon this site, created this name...and shortly afterward discovered Barnard. The academic program, enviroment, and institution in general seem to fit my personality and preferences more than Columbia does...and the fact that it is in the city, and shares all the libraries and the cultural opportunities I wanted from Columbia, just makes it seem that much more amazing. So, in truth, I am not one of those "back door" people--but rather an individual genuinely interested in Barnard, regardless of its connections with the University across Broadway =] Hopefully, the admissions commitee will be able to see that (and never find out that my CC name mentioned "ivy")</p>

5

<p>oh, and about the language...my high school required me to take Latin from the past three years, and I doubt I am going to be able to test myself out of that =(</p>

6

<p>Since it's hard to judge whether or not you'll have a chance based on scores alone, post your full stats so we can give you a better idea of your chances.</p>

7

<p>GPA - 98.7 Weighted, not sure unweighted, though all grades are As/A-'s
H.S. Junior
SAT I - CR 670, Math 700, Writing 780
SAT II - Math I 740, Bio 690, World History 690, (will take lit/US history) </p>

<p>Female/Caucasian/Middle Class
Attend private all-girls school in Bronx, NY—600 students
Ranked in top 1-5%, won’t know until Sept ’07 </p>

<p>Classes:
**Entered HS w/ credits based on accelerated middle school program. This would, under normal circumstances, be beneficial—however—due to the strict scheduling and general small size of my school, I was occasionally forced to take non-honors courses, though they were with the grade subsequent to my own. I have taken/registered for all A.P classes offered by school (other than Spanish, due to Latin track) and highest level of language.</p>

<p>9th: Honors English II, Honors Global I, Geometry Honors, Latin I, Biology, Communications, Freshman Computing, Religion I, Phys.EdI</p>

<p>10th: Honors English II, Honors Global II, Algebra II, Latin II, Chemistry Honors, Art Portfolio, Religion II, Phys.EdII</p>

<p>11th: Honors English III, AP U.S.History, Pre-Calculus, Latin III, Physics, Web Design, Religion III, Phys.EdIII</p>

<p>12th (will take): A.P Literature, Govt/Econ, A.P Calculus, A.P Biology, Web Design II, Religion IV, Phys.EdIV </p>

<p>Co-Curricular:
Student Council- Freshman VP, Sophomore Exec. Board President, Junior Exec. Board President, just elected “Big Four” StuCo Secretary, headed various committees/instituted Co-Curricular Management Program/part of Global Outreach Committee </p>

<p>Asian Club- Member (9), Secretary (10), President (11)</p>

<p>Newspaper- Reporter (9), Soph.Editor (10), Features Editor (11-12)</p>

<p>Book Club- Member (9), President (10-12) </p>

<p>Political Round Table- Member (9-10), VP (11), Pres. (12) </p>

<p>Senior Run Team (Visit Senior Citizens)- (9-12)</p>

<p>Student Recruitment Team/Peer Mentor (9-12)</p>

<p>Guidance Center Intern (10), Campus Ministry Intern (11)
Teams/Competitions: Math League (MVP Award-10), Science Olympiad, Moody’s Math Challenge, ExploraVision Competition, etc. </p>

<p>Math Tutor- (9-12)</p>

<p>Cashier @ local produce market (May ’05 – present) 15/hrs week</p>

<p>Volunteer @ Community School for children w/ special needs</p>

<p>Summer:
Summer internship 2005 – w/ Local Congressman (mostly worked w/ center for immigration and visas)
Summer internship 2006 – w/ Senator (worked on campaign for re-election) </p>

<p>Honors List since 9th grade, received Congressional Women in History Award, Gold Medals in a variety of subjects for highest average (including subjects taken in advanced grade level), won/participated in various essay contests, Kodak Leadership Award, among others that I don’t think are pertinent to a chances thread =] </p>

<p>Possible National Merit Scholarship semi finalist - will know for sure in Fall of 2007</p>

<p>Major: Some combination of Political Science/Statistics or Quantitative Reasoning—maybe major/minor, or double major </p>

<p>If I am leaving anything out, which I probably am, just ask =]</p>

8

<p>I went through the exact same thought process when discovering Barnard. My uncle teaches at Columbia so he got me initially interested, then I peeked across the street and found that what I really wanted was Barnard.</p>

9

<p>I'd say you definitely have a fair chance. Now just write amazing essays, get good recs and you'll definitely be in the running. (Understand that the admission process is so hit or miss that we can't really give you more than a "fair chance" because who knows what goes on in the adcom!)</p>