Official Barnard Early Decision 2014

Kiwi_Nights · 09-17-2009, 08:47 PM

Hello everyone! It's the middle of Sept., apps are due in less than two months, and final decisions three months away (shiver). So I thought it an appropriate time to start the "official barnard early decision" thread.

Soo.....as for me, I'm still struggling with my essays, but I have my recs and everything else set. Still have to take the SAT's in Oct

and interview in three weeks.

So, who else is applying ED?

ih3artthou · 09-17-2009, 09:42 PM

ME! maybe it's just the two of us applying this year. Wouldn't that be great?

I'm actually pretty much done... I'm just waiting on ACT results to see if I have to take October SAT IIs, and all of the school forms haven't been submit yet...

Open Questions:

Why Barnard?
Where else are you all applying?

23p · 09-17-2009, 10:20 PM

There is a very very high likelyhood that I am also applying early.

Kiwi_Nights · 09-19-2009, 05:00 AM

I went to Barnard PCP over the summer and loved it....teachers, classes, and you-know-what. It was just so liberating, and if I could have just TWO teachers like the one I had over the summer, I'll be a happy person.

Anyhoo, I'm also applying to U of Chicago (second choice), Vassar, and Georgetown.

ih3artthou · 09-22-2009, 10:34 AM

I just submitted my application! I'M SO NERVOUS! *deep breath*

Sheva423 · 09-25-2009, 06:21 PM

hi guys! im applying e.d. too! =) its so awesome to be able to talk with other girls who might end up being my classmates. good luck to the three of you!

Sheva423 · 09-25-2009, 06:25 PM

and to answer the open questions:
my other schools are connecticut college, nyu, villanova, and university and tcnj, both as safetys. if i could make it to Barnard though, i wouldn't care about anything else... ahhh id do anything to get in

Kiwi_Nights · 10-08-2009, 01:10 AM

Just a quick bump/taking a break from my hellish Bio lab...

soshi · 10-08-2009, 04:05 AM

Good luck you guys! I'm still a junior, but I really want to apply ED next year if I can figure out all of my financial issues. I have a question though-- does it look really bad if you don't have an interview? I live in CA and I don't think I can afford to fly all the way to New York just for an interview...

I am pretty concerned about this because my stats aren't all that great (mediocre GPA but good SATs, average ECs), and I'm not too confident that my teacher recs will be amazing either, so I really want to do everything to maximize my chances. Advice, anyone?

churchmusicmom · 10-08-2009, 07:17 AM

Technically, a lack of interview won't hurt you, but if you can at all figure out a way to get to Barnard in person, it would probably help in terms of showing "interest" and it would also help YOU to get a better feel for the place....

There are some pretty great airfare deals floating around out there.

soshi · 10-09-2009, 03:33 AM

The thing is, the airfare isn't my only concern: I'm absolutely terrible at interviews (I suppose I would get better with practice, though). I get really nervous (clammy hands, heart beats really fast, etc.) and I tend to blank out and have no idea how to answer the questions so I say things that I didn't really intend to say just to fill up the silence :| And overall I just end up sounding like an idiot D: I think in my case it's just better not to have an interview, unless I somehow get better at doing them by next summer/fall... (Anyone have any tips for how to get better at doing interviews?)

I chose the wrong school to fall in love with

Too high of a reach for me, I think. I'm still going to try my hardest, though!

The saddest thing would be if I got accepted but couldn't go because of financial reasons...

I'm also interested in Scripps, another reach, (which I think will be easier to get into than Barnard? 43.4% vs. 28.5% acceptance rate) but I don't love it as much.

churchmusicmom · 10-09-2009, 05:02 AM

ok, Soshi...a couple of points:

If financial issues are a concern, don't apply ED! If you are accepted, you will have no way of being able to compare financial aid packages among schools...

As for being nervous about interviews: you will almost certainly be interviewing with a Barnard student and it's really all about just talking with a girl who attends the school. Honestly, I don't think being there to interview could possibly hurt you! When my daughter interviewed there, she and her student interviewer ended up talking about their mutual dance interests and she just learned a bunch about the school. It's not an intimidating thing AT ALL!! The fact that you make the effort and spend the time/money to go there does, however, demonstrate to the admissions people that you are seriously interested in the school and that you are, in fact, truly familiar with the campus and the fairly unique environment that is the Barnard/Columbia University experience. PLEASE don't let nervousness over the interview process stand in your way!

soshi · 10-09-2009, 06:47 AM

Yes, that's exactly what I've heard-- not to apply ED if I am in need of financial aid. I guess I will be applying RD, then. I still have a whole year to figure things out, though, I'm not in any hurry!

I guess interviewing with a student doesn't sound that bad (are those the alumnae interviews?)... thanks for the advice!

calmom · 10-09-2009, 03:38 PM

Soshi, if Barnard & Scripps are reaches for you and if you want a woman's college -- I think you should look at Mills. (I'm not trying to discourage you from trying for Barnard, but it's always better to ground a college search by focusing on schools that are safeties and matches, since you are far more likely to end up attending one -- the reach schools are like the icing on the cake -- except that very often, in April, you end up with plenty of cake but no icing.)

college1o1 · 10-10-2009, 08:22 PM

Are all of your supplements under 1000 characters? I am trying to get mine under, but it is quite a struggle !