bcollege

So Barnard is one of my top schools but I am concerned about my GPA. I just completed my junior year and it was not my best. freshman and sophomore year I had a 3.93 however junior year i had about a 3.5. These poor grades are due to a death in the family and just basically a long story of family hardships that followed. It has just been a really hard year. I hope to get good grades my first two quarters of senior year to show Barnard that my junior year is not a trend but just a lapse due to extenuating circumstances.

Do you think Barnard would be accepting of this? I am just really worried about it.

I also have a 2100 SAT and really good ECs.

churchmusicmom

I would not be too worried about those grades, particularly in view of the circumstances. And, may I say very sincerely that I am so sorry you had to go through this.

you sound like a very focused and wise young woman, though, and I am sure you learned many life lessons by having to go through this. in many ways your experiences and the wisdom gained through this can be more valuable to you in life than if you had just sailed through and gotten perfect grades. I imagine you have a much deeper appreciation of family, of stability, perhaps a world view that is markedly different than it was before this sad time. Think about these things....take the time to assess where you are in your life as a result of this past year and use that in your application.

Barnard's admissions committee has, by most accounts, been really good at looking beyond the surface numbers in an application. It's now up to you to do as you said you would....have a strong beginning to your senior year. And spend time this summer putting your thoughts down on paper about this past year. And find those who know about these circumstances and who know you very well to write recommendation letters for you.

Try not to worry about this. I think you have a shot, though of course, nothing is sure. I personally think someone with your perception and outlook would be an asset.

Best to you!!!

MLeigh

I had around a 3.7-3.75 in my freshman and sophomore years, around a 3.35 my junior year, and a 3.68 first semester of my senior year. My cumulative GPA ended up being, if I recall correctly, a 3.62. I was taking all top-level classes freshman, sophomore, and junior year, except for Math, which I took at one level below the highest possible. I got consistent A's and A-'s in my humanities classes, a mix of A's and B's in Math, and B's and mostly B-'s in my science classes. Senior year I took top level History, French, and English, Accelerated Physics instead of the higher-leveled AP Physics, and AP Statistics instead of calculus. I was accepted regular decision to Barnard this year and will be attending in the fall.

Your GPA is really totally subjective. It depends on how leveling works at your school, and whether or not you weight and how that works (we do not), and where you're getting your worse grades. I got all A's in English, my strongest subject, and mostly A's in History, my second-strongest. My A-'s in History were first semester of APUSH, and the two semesters of Art History, which is considered the hardest humanities class in the school. I only received B's in Math and Science, which I have no interest in studying.

Furthermore, your GPA is only one piece of your application. It's very important, yes, but you also have standardized test scores, recommendations, essays, and ECs. If you are strong in those areas (which I was), you are going to have a good chance at getting into a lot of difficult schools. Especially given that you have an excuse for your junior year GPA, I would really not worry about it. Try to do well, other than that it's pretty much out of your hands.

churchmusicmom

To add to the excellent points that MLeigh made, one critical factor is the level of courses you have taken. Barnard will want you to have taken the most challenging courses available to you. IE: a 3.5 GPA while taking all upper level courses is a very different thing than a 3.5 GPA while taking basic-level courses.

habima2000

Ok i am kind of confused where I stand in this whole admissions process

I applied to Barnard this year as a High School Senior - got waitlisted and am still waiting on a response.
When I heard i was waitlisted - I decided to put the deposit on my safety school and defer admission for one year to study abroad. (Actually this college grants one year of credit for this study and I would start the following year as a sophmore) These credits are for religious studies and are not generally accepted by most mainstream colleges (like barnard)

I am not willing to give up on Barnard just yet -and would like to apply again this fall (possibly early decision??). But what I am unsure about is my status - would I be considered an incoming freshman - considering that I would have no college credits after my year abroad or a transfer because I am studying abroad through this college? I know that barnard does not generally consider freshman transfers so I am a tad confused.

if this makes sense to anyone - or if they have a suggestion please let me know!!
thanks

churchmusicmom

I think that I would contact the admissions office and ask this question.

I am confused, though. You said you "deferred admission" but yet are doing a study abroad program for which you will receive credit. So I assume this study abroad program is not through your safety school specifically?

I personally would think that this added experience would enhance your application, but I am not sure exactly how you would need to proceed to maximize your admissions chances to Barnard....either as an incoming freshman (after your study abroad year) or as a transfer, in which case you would probably have to wait at least one more year before applying. Or you could still get in off of the waitlist, I suppose. At any rate, I would call them and ask. Just be very clear about exactly what it is you are asking and what it is that you are planning to do next year.

Best to you!

romanigypsyeyes

I am truly sorry. A similar situation happened to me this past year and I understand how you feel. Just on top of everything thinking about how to tell colleges. Best of luck to you =]. I am applying to Barnard and have to explain what happened as well. I'm not looking forward to it =[.

luckyclasso13

4 kids from this year's class got into Barnard (from my public HS) I'd say they had about 3.6, 3.7 GPA's (one was higher). Looks like they factor a lot more than just GPA, (at least I hope so)