Chance Me: Rising High School Junior

DigitalDad
Mon, 30 May 2022 15:30:10 +0000

Dear bookluvr28 (love that handle, BTW)!

First, you’ve already gotten good feedback, and while some might seem to focus on semantics, their points are still valuable and should be taken in.

Instead of rehashing, let me respond to you through the lense of a parent, whose daughter just graduated from Columbia University after having attended their Barnard College. Some of what I share will be specific, but some will be generally applicable.

Secondly, your post is perfectly timely, it is never too early to ask questions; having brainstormed some early thoughts might help you feel more prepared a year from now. Don’t worry about the debate whether (on this board) the subject “Chance me” implies a rising senior who knows their junior year GPAs.

Thirdly - your parents apparently budgeted 500k for your higher education. We don’t know how much tuition rates will rise in the next two years - and how well or poorly the current investment market will impact that figure.

Also, there could be costs beyond the nominal “Cost of Attendance”, such as the cost of travelling/flying home a few times a year, depending on where in NE home is.
Then, by junior year, with the leads from your professors, you might be able to secure full-year internships in NYC. Especially research internships might be unpaid (which you’ll be able to afford) because they might still be very worthwhile due to the quality and relevancy of the research being performed. It means you’ll be a whole-year renter; your housing cost could be 1/3rd more than for just two semesters. You’ll also have 3 extra months a year of living expenses and there might be commuting cost one or twice a week, year-round.
In the case of my daughter, these internships (while unpaid) were significant pieces of her grad-school applications, where she was able to snatch a spot, rather than spending (the very typicaly) year, or two, or more…, to “build up” a resume and “show commitment” to the field before hopefully ever being accepted into certain programs.

Finally, Columbia University has great summer-abroad programs. If you find some of interest, there’ll be flight/living expenses as well as tuition.

So, yes, there likely will be funds left over after 4 years, but not quite as much as the official COA figures might make you think, which by then might grown to let you fund a Masters, if you choose to do so.

Forth - on the subject of getting into Barnard. For one, after watching my daughter and her experiences, I think it fits your stated preferences well.
I also agree with everyone, that you are on the right trajectory from an academic standpoint. But it’s important to understand that with an 8% acceptance rate, no matter the GPA, SAT or ACT - there is no magic number that absolutely will get anyone in - it just means that your application already check offs one (important) box.
Your strongest other point are your ECs. Barnard strives to further exceptional young women (even if someone’s stats might be less that perfect), and the focus, subject - and apparent results of your ECs do impress! So this would be checkbox #2.
Still the chances of being admitted “Regular Decision” are outright miniscule (a fraction of 8%), especially because colleges will have to gamble how likely their “top” applications might also receive admission offers from (other) Ivy Leagues, and thus might never enroll!

So my suggestion for the coming year is - try to seek out other potential schools, see how much you might like their vibe, their location, their programs…
If (!), in a year from now, Barnard is your outright favorite, then see if you can get to visit NYC (overnight?) on one or two occasions during the fall semester to audit (sit in) a class or two in subjects of your interest, to get a feel for the campus, the location, etc.
If you still feel all certain about your first choice, then I strongly suggest that you apply Early Decision. The ED acceptance rate is MUCH higher than 8%, and the college will be able to accept the top-candidates without fearing they might enroll elsewhere.