<p>Keep in mind that for study abroad, in most cases Barnard requires that the student has studied or has proficiency in the language of the abroad program. So a student who wants to study in both Barcelona and Rome would have to have a background in both Spanish and Italian.</p>
<p>There probably are exceptions, but I do know that the language proficiency issue can be something of a barrier in terms of choosing a program.</p>
<p>My daughter took her semester abroad at Bologna. Barnard required four semesters of Italian and alot of the American students there had had five. It was a wonderful experience, she speaks well and has several Italian friends. She also got a small job in Italy for two weeks that developed into a job at Barnard when she returned.</p>
<p>In response to the “Barnard is the next best thing statement,” I too want to caution against this attitude. </p>
<p>While Barnard-Columbia relations are generally smooth/nice, there will always be a few mean Columbians out there who put Barnard down, particularly for claiming they “go to Columbia.” </p>
<p>As someone who applied Early Decision to Columbia and did not get in, I will say that I inevitably chose Barnard out of many other schools for very different reasons than I loved Columbia for. And I absolutely loved it. I felt that Barnard was more challenging, more flexible, warmer, and in the end gave me a much broader range of knowledge than I would have gotten at CC. I had amazing professors from both schools, participated in clubs on both sides of Broadway, and had friends from both schools. But in the end when people ask where I graduated from, even if they don’t know where Barnard is I’ll tell them Barnard.</p>
<p>Barnard is in no way a back door to Columbia, and no one there wants it to be treated that way. They share many wonderful benefits in common, but as others have said, if you don’t come here for the right reasons you will not be happy. And that’s not worth $40,000 a year.</p>
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<p>Nor is it worth the over $50,000 per year that it actually costs (all inclusive) to attend Barnard. 
Spoken as a parent who is still recovering financially from this fact. It’s a sacrifice, but one that was well worth it for our daughter. And with Barnard’s financial aid, we were able to make it work.</p>
<p>I’m strongly considering applying early decision to Barnard. I love the idea of being in nyc while also attending a small liberal arts colleges. can anyone honestly address my main hold ups:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Currently in high school all my main friends are boys. I don’t mind Barnard being an all girls school as it would allow more of an opportunity to make close girl friends however how accessible are boys both as friends and romantically?</p></li>
<li><p>I see all these threads on Barnard Columbia hostility. Obviously since I want to apply early to Barnard this is the school i want to go to (less of a core, better advising, smaller classes) but I do strongly value the fact that all Columbia classes are open to students should there be a class at Columbia that interests me. One of the moms on my tour guide asked about possible hostilities and the tour guide admitted that although these forums talk about rivalries shes never experienced or heard of anyone who experienced prejudice for being a Barnard student. She explained she has Barnard friends and Columbia friends and no one would know the difference. How are things really?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>
In my d’s experience, pretty much like that.</p>
<p>There will be boys around–clubs to join—no problem meeting and dating boys.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Boys are everywhere. Really. In classes, in extra-curriculars, in the dining hall, in dorms, hanging out on campus. The only exceptions are first-year dorms, and Barnard first-year English/first-year seminar and Barnard PE classes. Plus, I’m assuming you’d cross Broadway sometimes - to take Columbia classes, to use Columbia’s library, etc. So yeah, boys everywhere.</p></li>
<li><p>I really think the whole Barnard/Columbia hostility exists only online. Everybody is taking the same classes and doing the same extra-curriculars, to the point where it can be difficult to tell which school somebody is in. I took probably 50% of my classes at Columbia, maybe more - simply because there were more classes at Columbia in my major to take - and it was perfectly fine. My main extra-curricular was a theater troupe that was equal parts Barnard, Columbia College and SEAS with a few GS students and the occasional grad student - and nobody cared. Really, don’t worry about it.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I went to NYC recently and looked at both Columbia and NYU but sadly I neglected to see Barnard 
(I’m kinda regretting that now.) But after hearing about Barnard from a friend who will be attending there next year I got very interested in it. Although I have a few questions about it…</p>
<p>1) I really love history. Any country any subject and part of the past you name it I love studying/researching/learning/talking about it. So I was wondering if you knew anything about Barnard’s history program. I’m assuming that since Barnard is a really good school and affiliated with Columbia it probably does have a great program but I want to know more than how many people go off to get a phd after Barnard. What are the professors like? How many research opportunities are there? What concentration of history is the most popular? really anything you know I am open to hear about it 
</p>
<p>2) I was looking through the Barnard majors and I didn’t see a fine arts department. Maybe I’m just severely incapable of finding the words fine arts on a web page, but is it true then that Barnard doesn’t have a fine arts department? If they don’t can you that say a painting class at Columbia or somewhere else? </p>
<p>Sorry about the long rambling post, and thanks for creating this thread it’s very helpful :)</p>
<p>1) I was a Medieval/Renaissance Studies major with a history concentration…I was nearly a history major and I spent a lot of time with the department. Barnard does have a great history department (and not just because of its affiliation with Columbia!) The professors are amazing, as are all Barnard professors and there are a wide range of interests. I think the most popular concentration is modern history, maybe 20th century, or American history. Certainly as a medievalist I can tell you there are few people who concentrate in anything pre-Enlightenment.
Also history majors write full, traditional theses (as opposed to English majors, for example) over the whole year.<br>
I’m sure you’ve seen the department page, but just in case:
[Department</a> of History | History](<a href=“http://history.barnard.edu/]Department”>http://history.barnard.edu/)
If I were you, and I wanted to major in history - anywhere - I would start to begin considering some slightly narrower field. I’m not saying you need to know that you want to study the first five years of the reign of Louis XIV in great detail, but you should think about whether you’re interested in something more recent or farther back, something closer to home or nearer. You will have to make these decisions in college and it’ll be easier if you’ve thought about it, even a little, in advance. There just isn’t time to take classes in EVERYTHING, wonderful as that would be.
I’ll also point out that NYC is a great city for a historian, and we have wonderful museums and massive research libraries all over.<br>
If you have any more specific history questions let me know! </p>
<p>2) Art History houses some studio art classes:
[Department</a> of Art History | Art History](<a href=“http://arthistory.barnard.edu/]Department”>http://arthistory.barnard.edu/)
And there are some at Columbia:
[Visual</a> Arts | Columbia College](<a href=“Columbia College Bulletin < Columbia College | Columbia University”>Columbia College Bulletin < Columbia College | Columbia University)
I’ve never taken one of these, but they’re obviously limited in size and generally in those situations priority is given to majors. It’s not impossible to take one as a non-major but you might have to try for a semester or two - and it’s definitely harder as a freshman.</p>
<p>Thanks for replying! (oh btw I’m sorry if I can off as rude. I didn’t meant that just because Barnard was affiliated with Columbia I meant that on top of being a great LAC they also have the resources of a top university. Sorry, about that I should have been clearer.)
As for what specific concentration of history I’m interested in… wow that’s a good question. I really enjoy East Asian studies that’s probably what I know the most about and I have traveled through a sizable chunk of Asia, however I also really enjoy modern european history… ahhh idk it’s all too interesting to choose one, but’s necessary to focus too.
I have a lot of rather specific questions I want to ask you. But I don’t want to clog up the forum with it so is it ok for me to pm you? I don’t want to take up too much of ur time either, though.
Also how does the ‘design your own major’ thing work at Barnard? There was a sentence on the ‘majors and academic programs’ section of the website about it but i couldn’t really find anything else about it. It seemed very interesting. :)</p>
<p>sure, pm away!<br>
I can’t say I know anything about the design your own major thing. I don’t think I know anybody who did it.</p>
<p>I am considering applying to Barnard, but I would like a current student’s opinion: would someone like me enjoy her time there?</p>
<p>I am a complete nerd who wants to study for the sake of studying…as in, I actually enjoy doing reports and researching for homework. I am not that career oriented, but I would try and pursue internship opportunities, especially considering Barnard’s ideal location. Partying is not exactly my thing, but I am into fashion.</p>
<p>If I got into both Columbia and Barnard, I’d prefer to go to Barnard (I like the idea of using Columbia’s resources, but having a closer knit community right across the street) Should I apply to Barnard though, or do you think I should focus more on schools outside of cities?</p>
<p>I think Barnard sounds great for you. I am not a student…I am the mom of a Barnard graduate who also considers herself a “nerd”. </p>
<p>I would encourage you, though, no matter where you go to college, to get involved in activities which you enjoy. There are plenty of “nerdy” ones, and that way you will meet other people and build relationships. </p>
<p>Best to you in your college search!</p>
<p>I just graduated from Barnard - and you sound a lot like me! I love studying (I’m definitely a history nerd) and researching and reading, and NYC is a wonderful place to be. We have phenomenal museums and libraries and a LOT of history. Whatever it is that you’re interested in - we have it! (Example: I love medieval history, and despite the fact that this is the US and really has no medieval history - NYC has the Cloisters: [The</a> Cloisters Museum & Gardens | The Metropolitan Museum of Art](<a href=“http://www.metmuseum.org/cloisters/]The”>The Met Cloisters | The Metropolitan Museum of Art))
I’m also not a partier - but from what I understand, Barnard/Columbia have many fewer traditional college parties. Some, but not as many as a non-urban school. We have all of NYC to explore, why stay on campus night after night??</p>
<p>Hi aie:</p>
<p>Hopefully I can help with your question about “fine arts.” Barnard and Columbia’s art departments are both listed under “visual arts.” You should be able to find it there and sometimes under “art history” in the course catalogue. Barnard has a major that is art history with a concentration in visual arts, which basically means you take about half art history courses and half studio courses. </p>
<p>Barnard students (both majors and non-majors) can take visual arts courses at both Barnard and Columbia. Barnard has Drawing 1-5 and Painting 1-5 (but all levels are the same time/section, the professors just address various skill sets), Supervised Projects in Photography (which allows you to take free courses at the ICP), and some other seminars for majors. Columbia has an amazing visual arts department, with many levels of Photo, Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Printmaking of all sorts, and video art. Columbia’s MFA program is currently one of the best in the country, and there’s a strong overlap between that, Columbia undergrad visual arts, and Barnard visual arts, so it’s pretty great.</p>
<p>As mrbc mentioned, it is quite difficult to get into these classes as a non-major. Most are capped at 15, and admission to the class is based first on major and second on seniority. However, it’s not totally impossible, and if you’re really interested it doesn’t hurt to try getting into a few sections. Even if you don’t if you continue to try you probably eventually will land a spot. </p>
<p>The only warning I’d give about studio courses is that they’re very demanding, so before you do one make sure you’re not biting off more than you can chew. Courses are 5-6 hours each week and professor’s expect you’ll put in that much time (if not more) in the studio working. And they’re only 3 credits (very unfair!).</p>
<p>Hi, I was wondering what your (or the barnard student you know) GPA was and your SAT scores.Also, what activities &/or honor societies were you involved in?</p>
<p>I wanted to know what kind of programs are offered at the Athena Center for Women Leadership (I don’t know the exact title, but I know it’s something like that). What kind of opportunities are offered for Women’s Studies majors?</p>
<p>Hi! I’m an international student who plans to apply to Barnard. I’m unable to visit the campus and i would like to know how the atmosphere around the school is? Are the students friendly? I’m not from a very privileged family and i was wondering if i will have a problem fitting in and having a social life since i probably wouldn’t have much money to eat in expensive restaurants, watch plays often etc. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Hi soccerfan. Some excellent responses to a question very similar to yours can be found on this thread: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/barnard-college/1206417-how-would-i-fit-please-help.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/barnard-college/1206417-how-would-i-fit-please-help.html</a></p>
<p>Should I apply to Barnard early decision? I am basically just trying to figure out whether or not I’d get along at BC. I love NYC and I am a driven girl. Ahh. I feel so overwhelmed. I am scared to apply anywhere ED but I really just want to get it over with. And I like Barnard. Financial stuff isn’t a problem right now. Any advice?</p>