itsaroundthebend

Barnard College is my dream school! But I have a couple of questions about my chances of getting in and financial aid if I do and attend Barnard College. I know Barnard has an early "decision" policy, where you can apply to other schools, but if you get accepted to Barnard you have to attend. Please give me advice on my chances of getting in! I will be majoring as a Studio Art / Art History major!

GPA: unweighted - 3.58
ACT: 28
7 AP's total:
(3 Jr Year) - Received A's for all 3 AP classes - Studio Art, Lang, Gov
(4 Sr Year) - Lit, Studio Art, Calc AB, APES
Lives in Michigan

4 year varsity swimmer
2 year captain
All State Academic Team
State qualifier and All League
(I will not be swimming for college)

President Education Award Program Recipient -Freshmen year

Founder and President of Eco/Green Club
Evergreen Status - Highest status of eco-friendly school

Church Praise band and youth leader for 2 years
2 years of bi-weekly volunteer services (150+ hours)

National Honor Society - 2 year member
National Art Honor Society - President, 3 years

I will be able to get two awesome college recommendation letters
I am a first generation Asian-American
Both my parents have not attended college

If I do get accepted to Barnard, would it be difficult for me pay the tuition? I receive free and reduced lunch and receive waivers for college admissions. I know about FAFSA and I will definitely apply for it. I also did the net price calculator on Barnard's webpage and the I received a 50k grant due to our low income.

What are my chances of getting in and do you think it is risky doing Early Decision?

notakid

Given that acceptance rate for ED is much higher than for regular, the only reason not to take that route would be whether the financial aid would be enough. Even there, if it turned out to be way too low for you, you could back out of your commitment. Just note that a year will cost over $60K, so would even $50K be enough? No guarantee estimate is correct either. Good luck, but don't bury yourself under debt.

swizzle13

@itsaroundthebend The truth is, no one can really "Chance" you for Barnard. They weigh character and personal qualities and letters of rec and your essays more than they do standardized tests, so it's really up to the applicant to decide if they want to show the committee whole-heartedly that they belong there. As a fellow early decision hopeful at Barnard who also has significant financial need (read: my EFC is 0), I have found that Barnard's grant money would be sufficient enough to fund my college years. I visited the financial aid office last time I was on campus and they said that the net price calculator is very close to the aid offer you will receive, that is, if you put in the correct information. My father and I did the calculator with the financial aid advisor, even though I had done it on numerous occassions at home, and it still came out to be around the same number.
If anything, I would make sure that it's alright with your parents to apply ED.
Going to school in New York City is no joke. I, for one, am going to Manhattan to college (from Connecticut) no matter what school I get into. I have been taking personal finance courses and have been learning to live on a very minimal but balanced budget just to get ready for college. If you have signifcant need like you say you do, and since you live in Michigan, you will have to fly into the city. Will your family accompany you? You're going to have to ship all of your stuff. Can you afford this? Manhattan is expensive. What happens if you think you should move off campus, are you going to be able to come up with the resources to do so? Do you have any family members in or around the city?
There's a lot more thinking about this ED decision than you've probably already thought of. I'm not trying to sound rude, but think it through. Is it actually feasible and are you able to physically get yourself to and from New York City to go to college?
Also, as the above poster noted, statistically you have a better chance of getting into Barnard ED. If you can afford the trip, can afford the loans, can afford Manhattan, then I don't see why there's any reason why you shouldn't apply. Good luck (: