Barnard College Top Questions

Barnard is the perfect combination for students who want a small, liberal-arts focus but also want the opportunities and variety available on a big, city-based campus. Because the college is part of Columbia University, students can attend Columbia classes and attend CU events, but because they are a part of the Barnard system, they get one on one advising and mentoring opportunities available only on small campuses.

The best thing about Barnard is the courses, the small college/big university feel. One thing I would change is the required two lab science courses. One is sufficient or do as Columbia does and have three lectures required. Sizewise it is just right. My class at BC is slightly bigger than my graduating class in high school--CC is too big. Reactions to Barnard: 1) That's a great school 2) I didn't think you were someone who'd go to a chick school. 3) how are you going to pay for that? Columbia University/Barnard have the smallest campus ever (well not really). I am living half a mile away from the main part of campus next year and people act like it's in pluto. UMD's campus in diameter is about 3 miles. Seriously. Barnard has a great campus feel--we have all sorts of fun spirit activities, from midnight breakfast to Greek Games to bling night. Columbia students don't have it and frankly they covet the fun and often show up to eat at our events. Currently, I'm mad at the administration, because of the tenure process--the head of the Urban Studies program did not get tenure, which is upsetting. Also President Judith Shapiro, of whom I'm a big fan is leaving and we're getting a new president, so I can't speak to that. The Deans are great--they are accessible and really care about their students. Controversies tend to stay more across the street at CC : eg. Ahmedinijad (sp) and the Minute Man. Lately, Barnard controversies have been really only around tenure. School pride in abundance. Barnard has sexhibition every year which is kind of hilarious (a fair about consensual sex). Being in New York City makes Columbia unique--we have a whole range of options of things off campus. Complaints are usually about the housing lottery.

Barnard is inextricably linked to New York City and Columbia--two things you must know and be okay with before coming here. New York City gives us access to absolutely unparalleled learning experiences (and is, in my opinion, the greastest city ever), but having Columbia right across the street gives the neighborhood a bit of the feeling of a more normal college town. As Barnard is pretty small, there's a HUGE amount of school spirit, and the administration is filled with caring people who have devoted their lives to advancing the role of women in society.

Barnard is great but I would not attend the school if it were not connected to Columbia! Barnard is great because you have all of the resources of Barnard and Columbia but you don't have to deal with the core curriculum and arrogance of Columbia. Also, there is NO COMMUNITY here - campus events are very poorly attended. However, there are many smaller communities. If you are looking to attend a college that has a typical, school spirit-filled environment, this is not the school for you - most of the time people aren't even aware when campus-wide events, such as homecoming, are happening. New York is awesome for getting internships and for going to museums.

Barnard: a small, prestigious liberal arts college for women in New York City When I tell people I go to Barnard, if they're from the tri-state area they've heard of it and they're impressed. If they haven't heard of Barnard, I have to explain to them that it's one of the Seven Sisters colleges, and it's across the street from Columbia. During the week, most students are in class/the library/their dorm room. On the weekends, if you're not studying, you're probably going somewhere else in NYC to do something fun. There's a subway station 20 feet from the first-year dorms... there's no reason not to explore the city.

Barnard is amazing because it is a small liberal arts college with an abundant of resources, services, and support. It gives students the best of both worlds- a huge research university experience (Columbia) and a small student-centered liberal arts college experience. The community on campus is warm and welcoming, and the intellectual debate and dialogue is rigorous and stimulating. The all-women aspect is empowering and enriching. There is a ton of school pride, and most students are thrilled to be here and love it.

Barnard is a small liberal arts college located in the upperwest side in New York City. It is across the street from Columbia University, which the school is affiliated with. Initially, Barnard was the sister school to Columbia, with women attending Barnard and men Columbia. Once Columbia went coed though, Barnard has maintained its identity as one of the seven sisters; a prestigious womens college. Now Barnard is completely seperated in terms of admissions process, though Barnard women receive a degree from both Barnard and Columbia University. Since Barnard is relatively small (approximately 2500 students) its a tight knit community where most people know the others in their class, or at least know who you are. There is tons of diversity as well, so there are a number of niches within the larger community. Alot of interest groups and cultural groups work together for a common goal. Overall, the environment is very inclusive. Also, Barnard girls have access to all the facilities and most of the classes at Columbia. So if for some reason Barnard doesn't have what you are looking for, Columbia probably does, and you can access it across the street. This is one of the reasons Barnard is the best of both worlds; it has a small college feeling, but is also within a large university. Since Barnard is all-girl, the dorms are all single-sex. This is nice because it eliminates the whole hooking up with floormates that occurs in coed dorms...which can get very awkward. Also, Barnard and Columbia people can room together, but they have to choose the dorm depending on the ratio of Barnard students to Columbia students. The system would be better if all the students had access to both Columbia and Barnard dorms, but this would integrate the schools more than Barnard would like. Since Barnard is in the city, where there are endless oppertunities and distractions, most students use the surrounding neighborhoods as places to socialize and hang out. Campus life is definitly not as big as it would be in a college town. There are still all types of events and parties on campus though, for those people who don't want to stray away from campus for the night. There is also a pretty active Greek life. In terms of the administration, most of the deans and advisors are really helpful and there to help you make descions etc. You can usually always get in to see a dean, or they always are prompt regarding emails. Also, if you are struggling academically, the deans make an effort to reach out and help you to do better. My only qualm with the school is the price. The school is extremely expensive...more than 40,000 a year, and is always looking for ways to charge its students extra fees. There is a fee for almost everything: not registering in a specific time, changing your meal plan, leaving housing, its outrageous! This past semester I took leave from Barnard, and housing charged me $1000 for breaking my one year contract, even though they quickly moved someone else into my room, then charged them more for the single. Also, if you plan on studying abroad and your program is much cheaper than Barnard, you still have to pay the entire semester's price, which I don't think is fair. Overall, Barnard women have alot of pride in our school. We are getting the best education money can offer, and even though it is really expensive, I would not have been happier anywhere else. You really come into your own here, and gain skills necessary to make a difference in the world.

Okay...so I'll write about my college town, New York City... First of all, you'll never, ever be bored. New York is the most incredible and exciting place to be. Morningside Heights, which is the area Barnard's in, is calm and far from the hustle and bustle of midtown. It's a nice area with lots of great restaurants, book stores, and other little fun shops. The campus, however, is right next to the subway, so if you want the fast-paced city experience, in 30 minutes you'll be downtown. I can't even begin to count the amount of incredible experiences I've had in New York...but to name a few: walking across the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset, going swing dancing in a club downtown with my friends, getting orchestra seat tickets to Avenue Q, Phantom of the Opera, and the Drowsy Chaperone through CAO, eating gourmet peanut butter and jelly sandwiches near NYU, exploring the huge number of incredible museums of New York, interning at an art gallery in Chelsea...and so so many more. There's definitely a lot to see and do on both the Columbia and Barnard campuses, but the city also offers incredible experiences that you'll never forget.

Barnard is a womens college, but it's more than that. It is a liberal arts college but because of Columbia across the street Barnard students get both a small community and a larger university. And in all honesty, Barnard truly does feel like a little more independent undergraduate college of Columbia University, it's a pretty close relationships. Barnard students are very smart and very passionate. They speak their mind and stand up for what they believe in. It's rare to find a Barnard student who doesn't express what she feels articulately in a class.

The great thing about Barnard is that it's a small college in New York City. While most students love to take advantage of the city, if it ever gets too overwhelming, we have a cute little campus with a lawn and trees to retreat to. Within the first week it already felt like home. The administration and faculty are great: they encourage us and let us know that we really can do whatever we want, and they are always available to talk one on one. There's an enormous amount of school pride, which is exhibited the most on Spirit Day, where we play music and hang out on the lawn, eat free food, and basically demonstrate why Barnard is great. The size of the school is perfect. I've only gone to Barnard for a year, but already I recognize people wherever I go. Everyone at Barnard is really nice, and it's been a wonderful experience so far.