wjibara

Hello everyone,

I have a girl who I mentor and have encouraged to consider women's colleges and she has made Barnard her top choice. However, her grades, test scores, etc. are not the best. I am wondering if anyone can offer some advice/insight to her chances of getting into Barnard. The school offers her dream major (one that is not offered at most schools, selective or otherwise) as well as the opportunity to study some Less commonly taught languages-- and I'm not talking about ARabic--- more like Bengali, Hindi/Urdu, Armenian, Tamil, and Turkish/Ottoman learning at least one of these of languages has been a dream of hers. She is of African decent, but is keenly interested in South and West Asian languages and cultures--- for which coursework is not offered in her school.


She's had quite a few challenges- mainly stemming from lack of economic disadvantages (being evicted, being homeless for over a year, family illnesses etc). Which I have affected her grades/scores I believe.

Her high school is a non-competitive public school, but it does offer AP courss as well as the IB program. My mentee has cumulative weighted GPA of 3.33, took 1 AP course her sophomore year, 2 this year and will take 2 more next year. So far, she has scored a 1 on the first AP exam she took. She took two more this year, but the results are not out yet, the hope is for at least 3s on those. ACT composite is 22 and Writing 8

She has a few activities: Founder and Captain of one of the school dance teams -- This has taken up most of her time for the past two years. Muslim Students Association ( she isn't Muslim but wanted to learn more about Muslims) Spanish Club (chosen to go on a school community service trip, in Latin America) In addition to taking AP classes she is also pursuing some vocational training (as part of her HS coursework)-- will be licensed in her trade by the time she graduates high school, and spends 100+ hours per semester apprenticing.

Can any one help/Chance/suggest based on this info? I don't have much experience guiding students whose backgrounds are less than ideal. I am definitely encouraging her to give it a shot and show Barnard that she really wants to attend. Plus I figure that she will be a fairly unique applicant. Thanks PM or public reply.

kmhuether

Well Barnard is the most competitive womens college, so it is definitely a big reach. She should also consider some others with Barnard remaining in her top choice. She should definitely write about being homeless and her circumstances on her application. She should try and take the SAT and get the ACTs higher which will help alot.
Early Decision increases her chances ALOT. It's something like 40% and they have less applying so I'm guessing they have more time to spend on looking at the individual.

mfs47

I would encourage her to set up personal interviews at all of her colleges. Admissions officers at women's women's colleges truly reach out and try to provide access for your kind of young woman. However, she may feel a bit over her head academically.
In addition to B., try Mount Holyoke. As a 'back up' to these elite women's colleges I strongly suggest she look at Hollins. It is a fabulous women's college in a stunning campus in the Blue Ridge Mountains of VA. She might not get to study those languages as an udergrad there, but she may also find professors willing to bend over backwards for her. And the education there is absolutely 1st rate. For a young woman who has had setbacks in the family and home situation, the sense of family and caring at Hollins is far stronger than the more competitive enviroment and stress of living in NYC. It might be a healthy environment for her to spend 4 years; the young women at Hollins become phenomenol sucesses after graduation! Best wishes and good for you in helping this young woman out. (If you want to 'private message' me feel free, I am an ed consultant and a former admission dir.)