<p>I am a prospective Barnard student and am writing in both the Columbia and Barnard forums to ask about the relationship and possible tensions between Barnard and Columbia. My concern is rooted in the online back and forth between students from each school. </p>
<p>One the major reasons I chose to apply to Barnard was because I believed it would offer the level of an ivy league education within the community of a small liberal arts college so the academic relationship with Columbia is definitely important to me. I did not apply to Columbia because I personally wanted the small college feeling. I do not consider this reasoning to mean I am using a “back door” into Columbia but I do not think I would be considering Barnard so strongly if the resources of Columbia did not exist.</p>
<p>My question is if the tensions online reflect the attitude of the schools. From what I have read, it seems that Barnard girls are constantly thought of as second class within the entire community. Of course I understand that no one opinion can reflect the many found within a large population. If there is a general sentiment, How would you describe it?</p>
<p>The answer, bottom line, is that it’s in your head.</p>
<p>If you are the type of person to worry about that, then you probably well have heightened sensitivity to various comments or jokes that individuals make, dwell on them, and focus your attentions on that issue. It will seem like a problem, even if it is only the words or sentiments from a small minority of students. You will also tend to interpret innocuous comments as insults. </p>
<p>If you are the type of person who doesn’t worry about that sort of stuff, you won’t notice, you’ll laugh at jokes based on various stereotypes, and you won’t perceive a problem. Whatever is said or thought will be essentially outside of your personal radar, and it won’t impact your experience. </p>
<p>My daughter is in the #2 category. She does what she wants. </p>
<p>The social class stuff was much more significant. It may be somewhat of a bigger problem at Barnard than across the street simply because girls tend to be more clothes conscious. (The guys couldn’t care less were you bought your shoes).</p>
<p>That is good to hear. I loved Barnard when I visited for many reasons one of them being the close knit community on campus. I did not wnat that sense of cummunity to be threatened by the possible tension between the 2 schools</p>
<p>Markerex: in my D’s experience (she graduated from Barnard in 2009), there were no “issues” with the Barnard/Columbia relationship. She had many friends who attended Columbia (male and female) and no issues arose. </p>
<p>It sounds to me like you will love your experience at Barnard! Congrats!</p>