My Barnard Acceptance
Ah, life before Barnard....it’s hard to picture now! But, back in December of 2013 , I was a high school senior who had applied early to Barnard and was still without a list of back-ups. I do not recommend putting all of your eggs in one basket when it comes to something as important as college applications, but, for me, Barnard was it. And, looking back, that was probably one of the more risky decisions I've made. Though my parents had dragged me to at least ten other schools up and down the East Coast, I left each tour unimpressed and repeating my now-famous saying, “It’s just not Barnard!”
Lil' old me on College Planning Day
Even before my acceptance, I’d invested a lot in Barnard. I attended the Pre-College Program, went on multiple tours (don’t ask me why - our campus is very compact), met with an admissions representative at my high school, sampled an academic and dance class, stayed over on campus, and attended information sessions and panels. I remember that during the panel on College Planning Day my junior year of high school, the panelists discussed how they’d become “Barnard women” and how they’d become more confident, independent and outspoken during their time here. Their answers were so moving that, in that moment, I knew that there was no other choice for me. I applied ED in October, and there was no looking back.
So, after all of this build-up, December came along. At my doctor's check-up the day before decisions were sent out, the nurse had to check my heart rate three times because it was abnormally high from nerves. Once December 12th arrived, I made it through the school day only to get home at 2:30 and search for ways to distract myself (which I failed miserably at). I spent a good four hours updating my email and searching Instagram and Facebook for anything Barnard-related while trying to calm down. And then, around 7:00, after hours of despair, the e-mail I’d literally and figuratively dreamt about came, followed by many phone calls, congratulations, and hooplah. And though it seems like forever ago, thinking about it always reminds me of how grateful I am to be at Barnard.
Obligatory cheesy picture my parents made me take that night!
As always, feel free to comment and e-mail with any questions!
Deena Cohen ‘18