<p>
[quote]
the lower the admissions rate, the more likely a match is to behave like a reach.
[/quote]
Well, Barnard's admission rate is pretty low these days -- my guess is that they will accept 22% or less of the 2007 applicants. I think they are more at risk for "Tufts syndrome" -- a lot of second-guessing over the seriousness of high-stat applicants, maybe favoring applicants who don't look like they are likely to also be accepted at Harvard and Yale. And while you are right that the academic strength and initiative in EC's is very much what Barnard looks for, lingbo's characterization of herself as an introvert without much of a social life gives me pause. If she is happy with that state of affairs and relishes her alone time, she would be fine at Barnard -- but my impression both from what I know of my daughter's social life and what I have heard from others is that much of the socializing goes on off campus-- students are friendly enough on a superficial level (saying hi to each other on the way to class, etc.) -- but they tend to leave campus for more exciting parts of the city on evenings and weekends, so a kid who has a harder time making friends might find Barnard to be a little intimidating socially. On the other hand, if she wants to spend a lot of time by herself studying, my outgoing, party-loving daughter has found that the best way to handle the workload at Barnard is to do just that. (A lot of reading required!)</p>
<p>Well, as far as being an introvert goes, I think we are a vastly misunderstood breed. I'm not antisocial, by any means. I enjoy meeting new people and talking to people and going to new places. Part of it is being so overbooked extracurricularly (I mean, in the month of October, I spent my weekends testing for black belt, attending karate competitions, marching band competitions, taking the SAT and ACT, etc.), but I was just explaining that a lot of my energy goes towards EC and academics. I'm hoping that will change for college, obviously.</p>
<p>I guess it is a matter of sorting out the difference between being introverted and shy. Introversion by itself is not a problem -- Barnard is not the type of rah, rah school where anyone is going to be upset if you aren't jumping up and down and getting all excited on Barnard Spirit Day. In fact, my daughter skipped the mandatory scavenger hunt or whatever it was that was scheduled during the Barnard/Columbia orientation week. She absolutely detested all the organized meet-and-greet activities -- she wanted the orientation to focus on the details related to course registration and campus resources, and felt that Barnard women were all adults and shouldn't need help in learning how to introduce themselves to one another. So if introversion means that you are perfectly happy doing your own thing and are choosy about the types of activities that you participate in -- Barnard is fine. </p>
<p>But I think introverted + shy and/or quiet could be a problem, because I think basically a student who doesn't draw attention to herself might be ignored. Not out of deliberate unfriendliness -- just because everyone is so busy focusing on whatever it is that they are involved with that they might not notice a kid who is sitting by herself in her dorm room. </p>
<p>I do have to say that from your activities list, you don't seem either shy or quiet. It's just that Barnard might be the kind of place where you need to take initiative for your social life as well as other activities, because there might not be that many on-campus organized events, especially if a Columbia frat party is not your idea of fun. Of course there is plenty to do on both campuses (lectures, film screenings, student performances, etc.) ... but there is even more to do off campus.</p>
<p>Yes, definitely the latter you mentioned. :)</p>
<p>I'm not too big on Barnard because I'm not really looking into women's colleges much and my college list is long enough already. I was impressed by their creative writing program and saw that the author of The Namesake graduated from Barnard. (I am afraid to misspell her name.)</p>
<p>Would anybody here be willing to take a look at my essays? (Killing fifteen birds with one stone here, you know.)</p>
<p>I'd note that my d. does not seem to have yet figured out that Barnard is a woman's college (she seems to spend most of her social life hanging out with boys) -- that's probably because she has that bad habit of crossing the street every day, and Barnard has not yet erected any fences or moats to prevent the women from escaping the confines of the campus. </p>
<p>But I still think it's all about fit, so you should really go with whatever your own preference is. I think you (or any other student) should at issues like the Columbia core vs. Barnard "nine ways of knowing"; the Barnard advising system; specific majors offered and requirements for each major; typical class size, etc. Students looking for a traditional womens' college might be very disappointed in Barnard -- I think for the most part the Barnard girls like to socialize with men, and almost all Barnard classes are open to Columbia student. The bigger difference is probably the LAC-approach vs. larger university -- academically, I do think Barnard has much more of a LAC feel, even though students will also take many courses at Columbia.</p>
<p>I am impressed with your overall presentation which shows you to be a lot more than your stats. It is also commendable that you are looking at a broad range of schools, not "stuck" on prestige as the "only" factor in your decision and happiness/fit and being open minded to other factors including merit scholarships. You have an excellent shot at the more competetive schools on your list but are smart enough to realize nothing is a guarantee and that you can be successful wherever you go. The schools that are considered in the "sure bet/safety" range also have Honors Programs so be sure to consider that feature if you choose to go that route. I think the Harvards, BUs, SUNYs and Columbias of the world would all benefit from having such a student in their schools. Good luck.</p>
<p>Hi parents, an update on my situation for anyone's who interested.</p>
<p>I've been admitted to the Harvard class of 2011! Thanks to all who helped me and helped boost my flagging confidence through these difficult months... believe me, the stress level was stratospheric. :( </p>
<p>I'm just so shocked and relieved and excited. It's a good mix of emotions.</p>