Hi,
I’m applying to colleges this fall and I wanted to see if I’d even get into an Ivy League, just because I’ve worked really hard to get where I’m at. Barnard has a human rights program that I’m really interested in, so I thought I’d apply there. But is it worth the time (and money) to apply there for me? I am a first generation college student, eligible for a pell grant, with a 3.7 unweighted average and a 4.0 weighted average.My scores are a little low, my SAT is a 1230 with my reading/writing being in the 98th percentile. I am taking the ACT this Saturday so I don’t know what I’m getting yet but I’m shooting for a 28 or higher. I took a class at Siena College last summer (got a B) and I’m taking two more classes this summer at University of Albany.I do volunteer at a nature preserve, a nursing home, school events, and I’m going to be an intern at a local summer camp this summer (unpaid). I am an officer for Students And Teachers Against Racism (a club), a tutor for NHS, a mentor for people in a writing club (also an officer), and I will be finding out if I am an officer for my NHS class this Tuesday. I will be conducting research this coming school year on human rights violations as well. I won’t name all my awards, but there is about 9 of them. One more thing, I have overcome significant adversity, including my father being a drug addict for most of my life and being currently in jail, which is what my essay is about.
I’m sorry! I know this is a bit extensive (and personal at times) but I just wanted you to get the full scope! The reason I’m making this post is because I’m really insecure about my lack of extracurriculars, my test scores, and the lack of honors/ AP classes (I’m taking honors public policy, and college level English, math and science next year) on my transcript right now. If you guys could give me your honest opinion, I’d really appreciate it! Thank you!
As opinion, if you would like reaches on your list, I think you should concentrate on realistic reaches, such as maybe Mt. Holyoke. Barnard as well could be realistic pending your further testing results, but this will remain uncertain for a while. In general, it seems that you have worked really hard and that you will offer a personal and honest approach to what will become your essays, so you should expect some good outcomes. Wishing you the best of luck!
I’m just another parent, but personally, I think its worth it to apply to Barnard, if it has a special program that you really want. If you can make it clear in your application that you have a passion for something special about that particular school, that may make a difference. Also, your status as first gen/low income might be helpful.
With regard to the SAT/ACT, a lower grade might not be a deal breaker IF the score is lopsided – in other words, you score highly on the English side and low in math, but your planning to major in the humanities so the school understands that the math/science grades are not very relevant.
People here often mention Questbridge to low income, high achieving students. I don’t know when the application deadline is for seniors, but maybe its something look into?
Also, keep in mind that even if your grades and stats were perfect, schools as selective as Barnard would still be highly unlikely. Most qualified applicants are rejected. So make sure that you have safety schools as well.
Barnard has very holistic admission standards and places greater weight on GPA than SAT/ACT. They also value diversity, and if your ACT English or SAT Reading scores are on the low end, you might be eligible for HEOP. See https://barnard.edu/dos/opportunity-programs/heop/admissions-financial-aid
So yes — you should apply.
You have a compelling story to tell with your application. Barnard may or may not admit you, but they will definitely give your application fair consideration.
Given that they have a specific program you would like, I agree that you should apply but…please know that its a long shot and don’t get your hopes up. Every year though we hear about someone who gets into that “lottery-for-them” school, maybe its you this year !
update: I got a 30 on my act with a perfect score in reading and a 35 in writing.
Congrats on the ACT. Certainly give Barnard a shot but understand that it will be a reach school for you. Don’t get caught up in the “Ivy League” thing and don’t get too invested in any one “dream school” – put your focus on finding a group of reach, match, and safety schools that are good fits and that appear to be affordable.
Congratulations ! You should be a very competitive applicant for Barnard. Nevertheless, plan to apply to at least 12 colleges & universities since you need a substantial amount of financial aid & since college admissions is very competitive & increasingly unpredictable.
To which other colleges & universities are you planning to apply ? Are you an URM (under represented minority) ?
Great scores! Congrats!
I think you have excellent chances.
No guarantees, of course. But again, you have a compelling story to tell.
Although you have not asked for college recommendations, I suggest that you consider the QuestBridge member/participating colleges & universities.
Contact the admissions offices at your targeted schools & request an application fee waiver.
Thank you, everyone!I really appreciate the support! I’ll answer your replies one at a time
- I am applying to about 12 schools as you suggested. many in my home state of NY, including 3 CUNY schools, one SUNY school, Union College, Siena College, and Barnard of course! I also have MCLA in Mass, Birmingham Southern College in Alabama, Emory University in Georgia, American University in D.C. and College of the Atlantic in Maine.
- I am not a URM, although I am a first generation college student which I think I mentioned.
And lastly, I do plan to get a fee waiver for four schools of my choice. Luckily, 4 of the schools I am applying to have free applications or the applications are waived if you apply before a certain date. I plan to finish my applications before or in late September/ Early October.
As for QuestBridge, I’ve heard people mention it to me, but I’m confused on what it is and what it does exactly. If you could explain it to me, I’d really appreciate it.
If you are genuinely interested in human rights programs, two schools you might want to look at are University of Dayton and University of San Diego (Joan Kroc Center for Peace Studies is there). You would most likely qualify for good merit and honors colleges at both. USD is stunning.
Good to see your new score, @brinuge16!
I don’t know much about how Questbridge works, but they have a college match program that possibly could give you a leg up in admissions. (I don’t know if it does or not, just that the colleges who participate as partners obviously have a desire and commitment to accepting Questbridge finalists).
Barnard is not a participating college, but Columbia U. is. As the parent of a Barnard alum I think Barnard is way better, because of the strength of the relationship between Barnard students & their profs & deans — but even though Barnard gives strong financial aid, Columbia’s aid is even better (they have more money) – and when it comes down to it you would have access to the same courses, profs, and resources at Columbia – so you might consider doing a Questbridge application and designating Columbia as a top choice school if you opt to rank colleges for the match program. (That works something like EA or ED— so at most partner college, if you opt to rank and are matched, then admission is binding – see https://www.questbridge.org/columbia-university/faq – so if you really truly would prefer Barnard, you might want to skip the college-ranking/ college match part of Questbridge).
I do know that Barnard values diversity and has very holistic standards, and based on what you have posted here I am confident that the Barnard admissions department would give your app very serious consideration. But of course that is not a guarantee – as admission rates are now under 15% it means that more & more well qualified applicants who Barnard would love to accept end up being waitlisted because hard choices need to be made. But you seem like the type of student Barnard really values — it’s just that you will be competing with many other amazingly well-qualified women, so at this point I think Barnard has become a reach for just about everyone.
Here’s the place on CC where you can find out more: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/questbridge-programs/
And also a link to a chart at https://questbridge.s3.amazonaws.com/pdfUploads/5944153be4780a04007d8476-046d1a53e0dd65608560674892e9aa66.pdf
Thank you everyone! Also, thank you calmom, that was incredibly helpful and now i’m definitely going to consider Questbridge, although I think I’d rather go to Barnard than Columbia, just because I like the idea of having a connection with your professors.
As for USD and Dayton, although I’m sure they have fantastic programs for what I want to study, I want to stay on the east coast because 1. I have family both in the north and south and 2. my family cannot afford the travel expenses associated with me flying to california every semester.
I really appreciate the suggestions and all the help you’re giving me!
Since you are in New York, you should look into HEOP. Barnard does participate in that.
Her test scores are now way, way too high for HEOP eligibility (For HEOP at Barnard: “a 24 or below on the ACT English”) See Academic Guidelines at https://barnard.edu/dos/opportunity-programs/heop/admissions-financial-aid
I think the basic rational is that Barnard wants to direct its HEOP program toward students who are both academically and financially disadvantaged. That is, young women who have potential but also really need the extra services that come with HEOP, which includes a mandatory 5-week academic prep program the summer before they start in the fall.
So HEOP is a wonderful program, but @brinuge16 is actually a very strong candidate and probably has excellent chances of admission. (With the caveat that “chances” never mean certainty).
Thanks for the clarification, @calmom. I did not realize that one could score too high for HEOP.
Here’s what the HEOP website says:
http://www.highered.nysed.gov/kiap/colldev/HEOP/
So it’s meant to help kids who have shortcomings on the academic end of things as well as financial. The program is designed to provide remedial as well as financial support.
Since Barnard meets full need of its students, Barnard will probably be affordable for the OP if she gets in through regular admissions. (No guarantees there, either – but generally Barnard does a good job of giving students the aid they need)