So I'm looking into applying to Barnard College early, and I'm a bit confused. Can someone help me understand whether Barnard has early action and early decision at Barnard? And which one would you recommend?
Barnard College, unlike some other institutions, does not have an Early Action (EA) option; it only offers Early Decision (ED). To clarify, Early Action is a non-binding application option where you receive an admission decision earlier than the regular decision pool but are not committed to attending if accepted. Early Decision, on the other hand, is a binding application process where you agree to enroll if accepted, as long as the financial aid package provided is sufficient to meet your family's financial needs.
Since Barnard only offers Early Decision, if you are confident that Barnard is your top choice and you would definitely attend if accepted, applying ED could be a smart choice. The benefits of applying ED include demonstrating your strong interest in the college and sometimes enjoying a slightly higher acceptance rate compared to the regular decision pool. Keep in mind that you can only apply to one school under the ED plan, and if you're admitted, you must withdraw all other college applications.
To decide whether to apply ED to Barnard, consider the following factors:
1. Affordability: Ensure that Barnard is financially feasible for you and your family. As an ED applicant, you will have limited opportunity to compare financial aid packages among various schools. However, you may break the ED agreement if the financial aid package offered does not meet your financial needs.
2. Fit: Be sure that Barnard is the best fit for you academically, socially, and culturally. Research the programs, campus life, extracurriculars, location, and any other aspects that are important to you.
3. Application readiness: Ensure your application is as strong as possible. If you need more time to improve your profile, such as raising your GPA, working on essays, or enhancing extracurriculars, it may be better to apply during the Regular Decision round instead.
In summary, if Barnard is your top choice and you're confident in the strength of your application, Early Decision may be the right option for you, since there is no Early Action choice available. However, weigh the factors mentioned above carefully before making a decision.
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