Should I apply Early Decision to Barnard College or Cornell University?

College Search & Lists
1

<p>I am graduating this year with honors from Interlochen Arts Academy after studying classical voice for three years and creative writing for one year. I have a 3.9 GPA, but I have not been able to take the most academically rigorous courses as I attend an arts boarding school. I spent a semester abroad in Vienna, Austria, and a few honors I have received are as follows: Kiwanis Student of the Month, published work in the Red Wheelbarrow Literary Journal, published work in The Interlochen Review, etc. This summer, I plan on taking college level Calculus, Physics, and U.S. History(as those are the courses I wasn’t able to take here) before embarking on my gap year dedicated to volunteer service in Madagascar and Mexico. I am planning on taking the ACT this June and as I have been studying for quite some time and do very well on standardized tests, I am hoping to receive a score in the range of 31-35. My mother attended Cornell University and I have always dreamed of going, but their acceptance rate is significantly lower than Barnard’s(16% as opposed to 25%). I plan on going into science, and since Barnard is a part of Columbia University, I would have immediate access to a world-class research institution, incredible peers, and Ivy League classes. Not to mention, New York City is one of my favorite places in the world. However, Cornell is my dream school. I would be elated to attend and I would probably jump up and down for several consecutive days if I was accepted. I would be a student at an incredible research university and would have direct access to greater opportunities in science. Cornell is more prestigious, but Barnard also has the advantage of small classes and direct student-professor relationships. Early Decision would give me more of a chance at either of these schools as I have not had the most traditional academic background and one must look closely and more humanistically to see the level of my academic potential. </p>

<p>The question(finally):
Considering all of these factors, should I apply Early Decision to Cornell and risk not getting into either school or should I apply Early Decision to Barnard and give myself less of a chance at my dream school?</p>

<p>Thank you so much if you’ve taken the time to read this! </p>

2

<p>I’m a believer in applying ED if you have a clear favorite and let the chips fall where they may.</p>

3

<p>@bluejay371, Don’t apply to Barnard ED unless it’s your first choice. It sounds like it’s not. So, apply to Cornell ED instead. You only get one ED shot, so use it for the school you really want, not as a chances management tool. You are already “risking” not getting into either as they are both selective, and trying to game the system is pointless IMHO. Any school with a sub-30% acceptance rate is going to be a bit of a crap shoot even if your stats are competitive. </p>

4

<p>Barnard ED rate is near 45%, but their RD rate is about 20%, so I think you’re wise to consider applying to Barnard ED. </p>

<p>Which would be your worst regret: getting into Barnard without having giving Cornell a shot or getting rejected by both schools, knowing you might have foregone your chance at Barnard in the ED round? It’s a tough decision.</p>

<p>You sound like a great candidate for both schools!</p>

5

<p>First, before you settle on any ED choice, what’s your financial situation? ED may not be a good choice if you need a substantial amount of financial aid as you won’t be able to compare and negotiate packages.</p>

<p>If money is not an issue, then I would apply to Cornell ED. I find it surprising that your two top choices are Cornell and Barnard as they are vastly different, but putting that aside for a moment, I think you should take your best shot on your #1 choice. Otherwise you’ll always wonder if you could have been a contender.</p>

<p>Yes, there is risk involved in this strategy, but there is risk involved in not taking action as well.</p>

<p>I think you’ll be a person of interest to many good colleges and universities, but of course, you need a list balanced in selectivity. I’d suggest you probe a little deeper into the environment and culture that you’re looking for. Aside from the obvious – small vs large, very urban vs very rural, women’s vs coed, LAC vs research university – the personalities of Barnard and Cornell are completely different. </p>

<p>Don’t choose Barnard because you want Columbia. The Barnard experience is unique unto itself, and even though you’ll have access to much of Columbia, you’ll still be enrolled at Barnard. Barnard is wonderful on many levels, but completely different from Cornell. (Did I mention that already?:slight_smile: ) When you make up the rest of your RD list you should try to focus what you like most about both.</p>

<p>Your experience at Interlochen will be a plus for some schools, and might be a a negative for others. I’m not sure how making up core math/science courses after graduation will be viewed. Also, do you have 3 years of a foreign language? You could get a better indication from looking at the college history of other graduates. The counselors are probably experienced at explaining perceived transcript deficiencies.</p>

<p>You should also look at LACs and medium sized privates that have thriving music departments.and plan to submit a recording as a supplement to your application, This is true even if you don’t intend to major in music. The same for samples of your writing.</p>

<p>Some suggestions for LACs with excellent music and excellent sciences are Williams, Wesleyan, Smith. Oberlin, even aside from the conservatory. LACs in general take a more holistic approach to admissions and like multifaceted candidates who can contribute to the campus culture.</p>

<p>Actually, you seem like an ideal candidate for Brown. Among the Ivy League they are one of the more accepting of “quirky” backgrounds. Cornell, probably, one of the least.</p>

<p>You have some time before you have to make your ED and RD decisions. Try to visit a few more schools both to widen your horizons and narrow in on the best fit for you.</p>

6

<p>You are a legacy at Cornell. It is use it or lose it during ED. Your legacy hook is going to mean very little during the RD round at Cornell. Since Cornell is your top choice and you are a legacy, then you should ED at Cornell. Your background should be very interesting to Barnard, even during the RD round.</p>

7

<p>@oldfort good point on legacy and ED. True at UPenn - is that the case at Cornell?</p>

<p>@momrath Interlochen cost about the same as a private college, so I’m assuming FA is not a factor. Good point on differences between Cornell and Barnard. OP should visit and try to envision where she wants to spend four years - Ithaca, Morningside Heights or elsewhere. </p>

8

<p>It is absolutely true at Cornell. “You want us to love you, you love us back.”</p>

9

<p>Neither. They have two very distinct campus cultures, and since you are strongly considering Barnard, I have trouble believing that Cornell is your “dream school”, aka numero uno.</p>

<p>But concur with above, if you do not ED to Cornell, your legacy status will be negated.</p>

10

<p>You should only apply ED to a school that is your clear number one. Or else you will always have to wonder “what if???” That sounds like Cornell (“dream school”) right now. </p>

<p>I would also suggest that you visit both schools in the fall to just be sure Cornell is your top choice. Cornell should not be your top choice only because you are a legacy – make sure your peers, the location, the academics, etc. is the right fit for you. If you visit, you may (or may not) find that you prefer Barnard with its access to NYC and the arts scene.</p>

11

<p>Suggest if you’re taking a year off anyway, use some time to think about what kind of environment you really might most prefer to be in. These two environments are very different. There are schools more similar to each of them than these two are to each other. You are going to have to have your RD applications teed up anyway, since if you wait till ED results to do them and you don’t get in to your ED school you will find yourself in a mad scramble if you haven’t already prepared. So think about what you really want and what schools best match it. That’s my suggestion.</p>

<p>It could be that, given some additional reflection, you wind up applying to neither of these schools.</p>