<p>I heard about the Seven Sister colleges from a counsellor. A week ago I got acquainted with Barnard’s website and I think I’m in love! No other higher school of learning website has ever excited me this much!!! Their website says a lot about the school and would so fit my personality! I’m a Bangladeshi Canadian living in Toronto, going to a regular high school!, the problem is we have no AP or IB in my school! Didn’t really know one could self study AP until this month and the marks for May would be too late, no?</p>
<p>Planning to write the SATs in October. Writing World History this June and planning to write at least two more. </p>
<p>grade 12:
World History
English
Data Management
Law
Economics
World Politics
World Issues
Strings
Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology</p>
<p>I would love to go for the Human rights and Political Science major.</p>
<p>Extra Curriculars:
Prefect (2 years)
Music Directorate (3 years) (Publicity Co-ordinator)
Contributor to my school newspaper (3 Years)
Violinist at Orchestra (3 years)
Peer Tutor
Library Volunteer
Multi Cultural Club
Student Ambassador at Kids Help Phone
Librarian at an Old Home</p>
<p>This is all that I have. Is it feasible to even consider applying to such a great college with such mediocre marks and extra curricular and no AP/IB?
I really didn’t get any stats on internationals or anything.</p>
<p>I’m hoping Calmom or churchmusicmom will reply. I must say yours posts in all the other threads have been very helpful. Thank you!</p>
<p>Of course you should apply. The only thing any of us knows is that you will not get in if you do not apply!!! That being said, your grades might be a bit on the low side for Barnard, but what do I know??? </p>
<p>As far as your course load goes, if you have taken the most rigorous courses available to you at your school, that is a good thing. </p>
<p>Will you need any financial aid, though? Because that is limited for international applicants…</p>
<p>I have always taken the social sciences since I loved them! Never had a spare, although I need 30 credits to graduate, I should have 33 when I do. My extracurriculars are on the low too, which is why I’m feeling so dejected! A friend of mine who goes to Vassar said that essays and the supplementary application really matters a lot which is where I’m hoping to impress them with my passion and writing. I’ve been watching all of Barnard’s videos today…OMG it is thee place for me! I think my current marks would boil down to a gpa of 3.52.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that Barnard is not able to promise to meet full need for international students. Of course Barnard and other US colleges charge much higher tuition than Canadian universities – so be sure to consider finances before “falling in love” with any college.</p>
<p>Yes, I have! With a little bit of help from Barnard, I think I would be able to make ends meet- If I got into Barnard that is. Thanks for the reminder!</p>
<p>I feel the same way MakeADifference! I have been in love with Barnard for a few months now, and sometimes I literally spend hours on their website or youtube just watching all of their videos and picturing myself going there! I literally cannot think of a better school!! Everything about it is just absolutely one hundred percent perfect! I think with your stats, it definitely couldnt hurt to apply. And I’m sure if you express your interest through essays/supplements, you could have a decent shot! At least I’m hoping so, because I’m relying on my intense passion for this school to shine through in my application and hopefully prove to the admissions staff that barnard is the place for me! You should probably apply ED if you are sure you want to go there though.</p>
<p>I don’t think your marks are too low. Definitely apply, and definitely convey your enthusiasm! Personally I think the key for Barnard are stellar essays and extra currics. You say your extra curriculars are mediocre (so I’m assuming you don’t think they’re anything special)-- Maybe reflect on and revisit them and find a way to be more involved and interested? There can be passion in the mundane, it’s up to you to create it.
Also for APs-- on the commonapp you can show that you’re planning to take AP tests. Of course, colleges won’t get the score on time, but at least they’ll know you’re taking APs. Might slightly help you, I don’t know. I only took one AP in my junior year-- took four in senior year. Anyway, AP credit is really helpful in college, so win-win!</p>
<p>I feel you heytypethisin! Early Decision means that if they accept me, I promise to attend the institution, no? yes, I was considering that too. Hopefully will have my priorities clear by this Summer. </p>
<p>Such an inspirational line- “there can be passion in the mundane”. I was also thinking of APs in y Senior year…but somehow I don’t want to miss classes in college just by self-studying- for some reason I learn more through interactions with teachers! Nevertheless, I am still considering it! Thank you so much for the encouragement. I hope you make it to your dream school too. (:</p>
<p>Yepp early decision means that if you get in you have to go, unless you cannot afford it… but I’m really not clear on the details of that. What I am clear on though, is that the acceptance rate for early decision applicants this past year was significantly higher (I think over double!!) than that of the regular decision acceptance rate. This proves that the Barnard admissions staff really takes into account how serious you are about attending the school and really wants to know your level of interest. So the fact that you love it this much is a great advantage over someone more on the fence, assuming that you stay this interested for a while :)</p>
<p>A liberal arts education is really expensive though. McGill and UofT are like one fourth of Barnard’s cost- I feel like the Nine ways of knowing will be worth it though… But 60000+ K a year- not a piece of cake. Are you applying from Canada too? I’m in Grade 11!</p>
<p>Hey guys! I’m applying to Barnard next year too! I fell in love with Barnard in 9th grade & just like you guys I’ve read a billion things about Barnard and I’ve watched a billion videos. It’s my top choice! But I wanted to remind you guys to keep your options open. I know it’s hard (especially when you feel like no school can compare to Barnard) but try and find other schools (including financial safeties) that you would be happy at. I would love to apply ED but I’m not because of financial reasons and my family also wants to be able to compare financial aid packages among schools. Also you can use first semester of your senior year to help your overall GPA.</p>
<p>I’m only a tenth grader, so I have plenty of time to figure this out, but I cant help being slightly obsessed with Barnard. I know it is a long shot financially, but is that a reason to not apply ED? I’m really unsure about how all of that works. If I am accepted ED, but my parents feel that the financial aid is not adequate, will they be forced to pay the tuition regardless?</p>
<p>@Heytypethisin
“Students who have selected Barnard as their first-choice college may choose to apply for admission through our binding Early Decision plan. Although she may initiate applications to other colleges, a student admitted under Early Decision agrees to submit a nonrefundable deposit and must withdraw all other applications upon acceptance to Barnard College.”</p>
<p>berries123, are you from Canada? I know that if at the end no US/UK schools take me but McGill does, I won’t have any regrets. I went on a visit this March Break and it’s a very good school. Their spirit goes with my personality and there is lots of freedom to mix and match majors and minors. Also eventually I want to go to a good law school (or so I think after a semester of law which I LOVED) and it really boils down to how I use the opportunities that I am given and my own initiatives. At the end of the day, a 4.0 is a 4.0 GPA. But yes, I would definitely try for Barnard. Regardless, I feel sort of guilty just to think of my parents paying 60000+k every year just for me. Good Luck to both of us for our first semester next year and for the SATs!</p>
<p>Thanks for sending that link! And I know what you mean about feeling guilty for making your parents pay so much money. I just really hope financial aid comes through. I also have plenty of time to search for other schools that I like, but I doubt I will find anything as good as Barnard.
I’m still slightly confused, however, because it doesn’t say whether you are able to deny the admittance from early decision if it is not financially possible for your family. I’m sure there has to be some policy regarding this.</p>
<p>@heytypethisin You could email Barnard with these questions or you could search around this forum. Lol there are plenty of threads around here that talk about the whole ED thing in depth. Good luck!</p>
<p>@nakeadifference Nope, I’m from Ohio! The majority of the schools I’m looking at are in the east coast/mid Atlantic area! And thanks, good luck to you too! What are you interested in majoring in?</p>
<p>Why don’t you email them? Here’s where I emailed them: Office of Admissions Barnard College (<a href=“mailto:admissions@barnard.edu”>admissions@barnard.edu</a>). They responded within a day! (:</p>
<p>I’m going to be a senior at Barnard this fall. I’m not part of the admissions committee, but I have figured out what Barnard values. First of all, your grades are not too low. The way you get into Barnard is that you demonstrate academic competency through your numbers (which are fine) AND THEN (this really important) you show your ability to think clear, daring, passionate things with your writing. You don’t need to be a devastatingly wonderful writer either. It doesn’t hurt if you’re handy with metaphors. But what you do need to is write well, to write clearly, and to show a specific, interesting part of yourself and/or your ideas about the world. When you answer their essay questions, think of what is significant to you and fine-tune an original way of expressing it. We all feel great love, fear, admiration and longing for things: how does it affect YOU uniquely? </p>
<p>Do not fret so much about your grades and extracurriculars. Sometimes an extracurricular is so special that that is what draws the attention of the admissions people. But sometimes it doesn’t need to be. You just have to reveal that beautiful, honest part of yourself in your essays and they’ll know what you did was special. Another tip, though: these essays are not a confessional either. Do not write about the darkest, most traumatic or gruesome time in your life. If you must, tread carefully. Remember emotional truth can be found in smaller, quieter things, too.</p>
<p>Of course, don’t skimp on your grades. Work hard, but also don’t stress about imperfections.</p>
<p>Don’t worry. Feel good. Write boldly when you apply to Barnard. All right? :)</p>
<p>Phedre, you are by far the nicest CC’er I have had the pleasure of being acquainted with (in the virtual world that is)!! Thank you so much! Your post has been very encouraging. Thank you so much.
Would you happen to know about the financial aid available for internationals?
Ohh and how do you like Barnard?</p>
<p>Thanks again, and I hope you have a fantastic senior year!</p>