<p>Hello! I am a sophomore in high school, and am very interested in researching the colleges I would like to attend. I’m pretty set on LAC’s, which leads me to my question: What is Barnard College like? I’m seriously considering it, though I don’t know if the all-girl aspect should turn me off of it. I wouldn’t be going (if I were to be accepted) because I am looking for a strong, feminist community. In fact, a campus that seems to take a lot of pride in its own compilation of students would not suit me at all. Does Barnard, being an all girls school, exude an affectedly pompous aura? I’m not insinuating that all girls behave in such a way. I just don’t know if the “feminist” aspect is a contributing factor in the drive most people possess to go there. And also, a vast population of girls is exceedingly different from an individual girl. </p>
<p>I am aware that the classes are mixed with Columbia students. That being said, is that the extent of the contact Barnard students have with Columbia students? Is there tension between the two schools that cannot be overlooked? Just a comprehensive idea of the atmosphere of this college is what I’m interested in. </p>
<p>I’m sorry for the length of this question, as I most definitely could have condensed it into a 5 word question and received just as many, if not more saturated responses. But I tend to include entirely superfluous detail in everything I write. So, there you go. I thank anyone and everyone who answers this in advance. </p>
<p>BY THE WAY, I am not some woman-hater. I am a feminist myself; I believe all respectable people are to some extent. It is solely that I don’t define myself as one, and I wouldn’t feel very “at home” in the midst of people as described throughout my question. Also, if I came off as uppity in this, I’m sorry. I tried not to be!!!</p>
<p>P.s. Where is the location of Barnard in relation to Columbia? Is it literally within it? Thank you again. I apologize again.</p>
<p>I have a sibling who attends Columbia and whom I frequently visit during summer break, weekends, etc. So I can’t tell you much about Barnard’s classes or faculty, but from what I’ve observed from lurking around campus, all of the girls dress really nicely, lol. Barnard has a reputation for being full of rich, spoiled girls and “Jewish-American princesses”. But speaking completely candidly, I definitely see that “pompous aura”. Not even trying to generalize here, just bein’ honest!
There certainly is tension between the two schools. Students from Columbia kind of have a thing for making fun of Barnard girls…(there are entire Facebook accounts and blogs dedicated to this.) Take my sibling, for instance, who says that Barnard girls are just all the Columbia rejects. :S But then again there are students at Columbia who only have friends from Barnard and vice versa. At least you’ll have more options to “find your place”!</p>
<p>Oh, and Barnard is literally right across the street from Columbia with its own campus. But with your Student Card, you can access each other’s buildings, eat in each other’s dining halls, take classes in either school, etc. Lots of Barnard girls date Columbia students, so I wouldn’t be worried about the lack of coed. Again, Barnard is literally just across the street from Columbia. :)</p>
<p>I am the mom of a Barnard graduate (class of 09), so this is, of course, my own perspective…</p>
<p>I would NOT characterize Barnard’s student body as having any sort of “pompous aura”. The students there are confident and strong, but that is not the same as pompous. And the above poster’s assertion that there “certainly is tension between the schools” is, from my experience and that of my daughter and her friends, not of any significance at all. Yes there are jokes made on blogs and in the variety show, etc, but in day to day life (in classes and on campus), Barnard students and Columbia students are not even separate or distinguishable from one another. But if you get your self-respect from reading blogs and comments on boards from anonymous writers, you will always find something to feel awkward about, I suppose. </p>
<p>I strongly urge you to visit Barnard for yourself. You have plenty of time to do that, which is great. Best to you!</p>
<p>When my daughter visited schools as a junior she was interested in larger coed research universities. We scheduled visits to Columbia and Barnard for the same day … including Barnard mostly because it was across the street from Columbia and “easier” to get into. We toured Columbia in the morning and Barnard in the afternoon … half way through the Barnard tour I knew where my daughter would want to go to school … she applied to Barnard ED and is about to graduate having had a GREAT experience.</p>
<p>If you can I’d suggest you visit both schools and judge for yourself … they are both great schools and going to one gives amazing access to the other … however they are very different and most students will preference for one over the other. In the end for my daughter both the smaller LAC size and women’s college attributes ended up being positives for Barnard (especially with all the guys literally across the street).</p>
<p>My daughter’s experience has not been one of the students being spoiled Jewish American Princesses. The student body does have a very large Jewish population although it is not very religious or political. It does have an urban vibe though … it’s not a laid jeans and t-shirts place … it’s more of funky urban thing. This can be done on the cheap … for example, my daughter and her crew of friends has seen many Broadway shows each year for free or very cheap. Are there rich kids who live rich … sure there are … again a minority and they travel in their own circle … and I can’t imagine it is any more pronounced at Barnard as any selective school.</p>
<p>There are about 100 threads on the Columbia-Barnard relationship on CC … it is unique and as close as any two schools have. Attending classes is not a cross registration process like most 2 schools agreements … the course catalog for both schools list virtually all courses for both schools and in almost all cases students sign up without any limitations because of the school (there are exceptions like Columbia core courses … but an elective, for example, is typically open to any student from either school.) Many(most?) ECs are jointly run with school affiliation not playing any part of the groups.</p>
<p>Are there kids at Barnard who used it as a backdoor to Columbia … sure there are … but in my daughter’s experience they are few and far between. Are there Columbia students who look down on Barnard students … sure they are … and again very few in my daughter’s experience. IMO the Barnard-Columbia attitude question is very similar to asking students at any school about varsity athletes or frats … there is some small minority that will rag on that subset of students … and those few do not reflect the inclusive attitude of the lion’s share of students.</p>
<p>Again, visit if you can, and I’m sure Barnard will make a strong impression on you one way or the other.</p>
<p>I’m not saying that the tension is in any way detrimental or intense, just stating that it exists and anyone would be daft to deny that. Might not be what you want to hear, especially if you’re the mom of a Barnard grad. Speaking VERY candidly, usually, the case is that Columbia students (usually underclassmen) resent the fact that Barnard girls get to enjoy the same benefits of their school through a much laxer admissions process, so they insult each other, get defensive, and no one wins. It’s pretty much a pride thing–“if you’re a Barnard girl, you should not be calling yourself a Columbia student, you should not be wearing Columbia apparel.” That’s what it all comes down to. Petty? Yes. But visible nonetheless.</p>
<p>Nobody here is denying that some insecure Columbia students have issues with Barnard students. Those of us who have spoken up and who have had direct experience with the school, through years of having a student attend as well as years of being around these boards, are just saying it’s not an issue of significance. I have never personally known a Barnard student to call themselves a Columbia student. Are they graduates of Columbia University? Yes. Are they given Columbia paraphernalia by that university? yes they are, and my daughter uses/wears said stuff with pride. She also wears her Barnard apparel with pride. </p>
<p>This is really no big deal. There are many more significant factors to consider when you look at experiencing college as a Barnard student verses being a Columbia College (or SEAS) student. As 3togo suggested, a visit to the schools will probably decide it for you. Then all you have to do is get admitted, which of course is no easy task regardless of which route you choose! :)</p>
<p>one last comment … the reason this bruha about the Columbia-Barnard relationship comes up all the time is because of how some people describe or feel about the relationship between the schools. That said the fact of the matter is the two school relationship is incredibly close; as close as any two schools I have ever heard of … and yes that creates some angst among some (very few) … but I always wonder why two schools having a closer relationship can be viewed as anything but a positive … essentially students at one of the schools also gets tons of the benefits of the other school.</p>
<p>@citizenship: I’ve never had a Barnard student tell me that they go to Columbia. All the Barnard students I’ve met and contacted are extremely proud of the fact that the attend Barnard. I’m sure there are some students who may have chosen to attend Barnard just because of its relationship with Barnard, but I haven’t met any.</p>
<p>@littleincense: You have to go visit the campus to get a true feel of it for yourself! As churchmusicmom said earlier, Barnard women are very confident and a women’s college can help give an empowered feeling to many women who go there. I, personally, loved it when I visited and did not get a pompous vibe at all.</p>
<p>And from who I’ve talked to/read, most of the Columbia/Barnard is online (Bwog comments, etc) and used as a joke during things like the Varsity Show. It’s not a day to day thing. Most students don’t care and if they do, they’re not worth your time.</p>
<p>The more cogent question would be why you, a high school student who has yet to attend college, have such an interest in questioning what I have stated? I understand that your vast experience with the Barnard/Columbia relationship involves the fact that your brother attends Columbia College. Maybe he is one of those people who has some kind of security issue with Barnard students, and that is what is coloring your perceptions. I have stated all along that a few such people exist, but that is not a significant issue to Barnard students, being the self-confident, brilliant and motivated women that they are.</p>
<p>My daughter is a first year at Barnard and says she has not experienced the anti-Barnard bias. She is active in Columbia Democrats and the Columbia University Marching Band. She encounters many Barnard women in these organizations. She is considering rushing this term and has met more Barnard women who are in the Columbia sororities than Columbia women, so far. </p>
<p>The relationship between the colleges is complex. Columbia University consists of Columbia College, Barnard College, SEAS (engineering school) and General Studies. The Barnard diploma does say Barnard College of Columbia University. However, my D has also found that Barnard women are very proud to be Barnard women. She is proud to be a Barnard woman and really likes the 9 Ways of Knowing core curriculum. All in all, after one term, she knows she is where she was meant to be and is still thrilled to be attending her top choice college :)</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing your daughter’s Barnard experiences, 2016BarnardMom. Always great to get perspective from current students and their families!!</p>
<p>Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone for your replies! Thank goodness I still have plenty of time to think about things. I appreciate these responses so much. It says a lot about those willing to take their personal time to help others out. @2016BarnardMom thank you for that perspective! Are most of your daughter’s friends from Columbia or Barnard? Or are they about equal? @churchmusicmom and @3togo and @berries123 thank you!!! You’ve given me very thorough insight, and have definitely definitely pushed me in a certain direction. You really don’t think there is terrible animosity? @citizenship, though seemingly quite controversial, I am grateful for your perspective, as well. You are coming from a Columbia student’s viewpoint and the others are, for the most part coming from a Barnard student’s. That is interesting. </p>
<p>Now all I have to do is wait two years and get in!</p>
<p>Now, last spring when it was announced that President Obama would speak for Barnard’s college day and not for his own alma mater (Columbia College), there were some awful things said on chat rooms and internet boards (comments on BWOG, mostly). But on a daily basis in interactions between students at the university, this is a non-factor. Not a single Barnard student that I have ever known let this kind of thing get to them…</p>
<p>I am also that parent of a Barnard alum – I have to add that the question, “Are most of your daughter’s friends from Columbia or Barnard? Or are they about equal?” reflects somewhat of a misunderstanding of the dynamic. I don’t think it is something that most students keep a tally of, and it is probably highly dependent on a student’s interests, activities, and course of study. For example, my daughter studied Russian and the language instruction classes were at Columbia, and were also very small sections that met almost every day – so from the start she was in a daily small group instructional setting that had students from both Barnard & Columbia. If she had studied French instead, perhaps her class would have been at Barnard and she would have been less likely to meet Columbia students.</p>
<p>Similarly my daughter was active in politically-focused groups – eventually majoring in poli sci – and those groups tend to draw high participation from Columbia as well as Barnard. If my daughter had chosen instead to focus on dance or pursue a dance major (she had a very strong dance background before starting college) — then she probably would have had a more Barnard-centric experience. </p>
<p>My daughter still lives in NY and socializes with college friends from both Columbia and Barnard. While she was in school she also made friends with students at other NY campuses (NYU, CUNY, etc.). </p>
<p>Keep in mind that socially your “campus” at Barnard ends up being all of Manhattan. Because most students have friends from high school who are attending other NY campuses, and many activities or social events take place in other areas of the city, students end up meeting and socializing regularly with students from other campuses.</p>
<p>We have two daughters who are Barnard Alums.
The older, an Art History major, is a bit of a loner, very conservative politically but hung out with a group of young women who were in general very liberal. Beyond the first year I’m not sure she knew who was CC and who was BC. She ended up in law school.</p>
<p>The younger, a very social animal, was a film studies major and physics minor. She had friends on both sides of the street and was very active in Theater productions, at least for the first two years. Her social contacts were determined by her interests. In spite of taking all of the premed classes she will be starting in film school at USC next week. She was on the Columbia side of the street more often for her major as time went by.</p>
<p>As I have read the posts of other parents over the years I find certain common themes. The first is that a lot of your social contacts are based on your academic or extracurricular interests. Everyone seems to be doing something. The second is that you need to be prepared to change your direction. I seems that no one is doing what they set out to do. (Apparently college students change their majors 4 times.)</p>
<p>In addition you may find later in college that you prefer a different group of friends than you did as a first year. You’re going to mature a lot in the next four years.</p>
<p>On final point: I want to emphasize the point Calmom made about NYC being your campus.
Our older daughter is, as I said, a loner. We thought that she would be happier at Wellesley. Four thousand acres Vs four acres, but she insisted on going to Barnard. She could not have been happier. In her first year she visited museums, attended 4 operas, 5 concerts and 6 musicals. All of this alone. Her decision to enroll at Barnard was, I think, based on the gut feeling she had when she visited.</p>
<p>Right now, most of her friends are Barnard students, primarily from her dorm although she does enjoy hanging out at the CUMB (marching band) suite too, where there is always a mix. She said the sororities are 40-60% Barnard students. Keep in mind, my D has only been there for one term so her experience is limited so far.</p>
<p>Again, its very individual. During my daughter’s first year, my d’s closest friends were guys at Columbia. One was a freshman who she met early on, another was a GS student who she met in at a club meeting midway through the year. My d. seemed to have a hard time relating to most of the Barnard women she met, although long term, her best friend from Barnard is a dorm-mate who she met early on. It’s just that their friendship grew over time. Her sophomore year, she ended up in a suite with a women who were a better social fit, and developed a deeper friendship with that group. </p>
<p>That’s why I think you can’t really generalize. It is just an individual thing. There is no dividing line, but personality and interests will impact the friendships that each student forms. </p>
<p>I think the really cool thing about Barnard is the lasting friendships my daughter formed with some of her professors and Barnard Deans. That is also what impressed me the most as a parent: the strong, positive relationships that existed among faculty, students, and the school administration.</p>
<p>Hey! I’m currently a sophomore at Barnard, so I can speak from personal experience. </p>
<p>1) While Barnard and Columbia have a complicated relationship, absolutely all of the animosity that I’ve noticed has been on online blogs (added, of course, by anonymous posters who don’t need to take responsibility for their comments). I have asked friends from Columbia what they think of the relationship, and the general consensus is that no one cares in real life. </p>
<p>2) All the clubs and organizations on campus are integrated. I joined a sorority, and it’s probably about 50% Barnard, 50% Columbia…(or maybe even 60% Barnard). I’ve done plays on campus and it’s been about the same. </p>
<p>3) Barnard, like any college, has a mixed bag when it comes to the student body…I’ve met outspoken feminists, rich girls who went to boarding school, people who are working 3 work study jobs…As a whole, Barnard women dress well, but one could say that about people who choose to live in New York in general. </p>
<p>4) When I sign up for classes, I pay no attention to what school offers the course, and usually I end up with a mix (last semester I had 4 courses at Barnard and 1 at Columbia; the one before I had 3 at Columbia and 2 at Barnard). </p>
<p>Hope this helped a little bit. Feel free to message me if you have any questions!</p>