Barnard... Columbia

<p>I got rejected Columbia ED…
Will Barnard know this?</p>

<p>And if I was rejed from Columbia, will I get a R from Barnard too?</p>

<p>And question A in Barnard’s supp asks “How were you made aware of Barnard College? How do you feel Barnard College can help you achieve you personal and educational goals”
… If I say that I found out about Barnard because of the strong interest I once had for Columbia, would it be bad?
… And if I said that Barnard would be able to help me achieve my goals because it has best of both worlds (small LAC setting, next to a top university) and mention Columbia again, would it be silly?</p>

<p>I can’t seem to see Barnard as its own identity… I know I am drawn to Barnard mainly because of the affiliation with Columbia…Advice anyone?</p>

<p>My teacher recs, transcripts etc. have all been sent, so I have to still apply…</p>

<p>Bad, bad idea. I'm really serious. My advice to you is to GET OVER Columbia. It's not some paradise; you're coming off as really immature about what college is. If you like Columbia; apply to another school like it. Barnard is not that school. </p>

<p>I can predict what will happen if you come here, but I don't want to be mean.</p>

<p>I am over Columbia and that's why I'm applying to other schools where I'll be happy. (10 including Barnard)... I can't take Barnard off the list because half of my application has already be sent.
Believe me I really want to.. I don't particularly want to go there.. But seeing as I HAVE to apply, I want to do the best I can on the application....
What is so IMMATURE about that?</p>

<p>Yes, Columbia is NOT a paradise... And there are things I don't like about Columbia. But I liked it, get over it.</p>

<p>Your advice is about 10 days too late... I AM over Columbia - I just can't seem to think of a GREAT answer to Barnard supp's Q. A that doesn't involve Columbia..
So if you don't mind, could you give me ADVICE about Barnard... and tell me what's unique and great about Barnard?</p>

<p>I don't think Columbia and Barnard are necessarily looking for precisely the same kinds of students, so a Columbia rejection should have no impact on a Barnard application.</p>

<p>Taken literally, that "How were you made aware of Barnard" question is quite odd. I think it's a toss-up as to whether you want to give the 100% complete & sincere answer, or whether you want to concentrate on what about Barnard appeals to you. If you go the sincerity route, and tell them you came to them via your interest in Columbia, no I don't think it's terrible, as long as you answer the second question fully. I think, though, that you need to do some research into Barnard--there should be adequate info on the website--so that you can find reasons you really do want to apply there. Thinking about the positive aspects of a LAC is also a good beginning. Barnard does stress the virtues of access to Columbia's library, clubs & organizations, and classes, so you needn't ignore the affiliation with Columbia. I'm mostly concerned about the fact that you're seeing Barnard as an adjunct to Columbia rather than as an entity unto itself; it worries me that maybe you won't be happy there if that's how you perceive it. You need to--in my opinion, of course--be proud of the school you're in, not just the one across the street.</p>

<p>If you could be so kind primefactor I'd really appreciate an answer to this:
What really is this Barnard/Columbia bond/relationship... If it wasn't SO important and if Barnard really stands on its own.. Why does Barnard ALWAYS mention its affiliation with Columbia? (first thing you see on their website... the guidebook they send me etc...)
And why is it that everyone I've spoken to know Barnard THROUGH Columbia?</p>

<p>And since you go there, it'd be nice to hear some of your own experiences
..</p>

<p>Thanks searchingavalon.. You're comments were very helpful :)</p>

<p>Yes I totally understand what you are saying... I can see many downsides of going to Barnard just because of my previous interest in Columbia.</p>

<p>To be honest, when I found out about my Columbia decision a week ago I wanted to not apply to Barnard anymore.. My school already closed for holiday by then so I emailed my counsellor and asked if I could drop Barnard and add Georgetown to my list of RD schools...
She said that the school's part of the app was already sent to Barnard, so that is why I am continuing with my part of the Barnard app... (Luckily Gtown could be added).</p>

<p>Anyway, I'm not sure that I'll even get into Barnard... But if I do, maybe in April my views may have changed....
I really do want to keep my options open, so I am going to give Barnard 120% of my effort.
In the meantime, I've been reading the guidebook thing they sent me.. searching through their website etc....</p>

<p>If you really don't want to go there, just email the admissions office and tell them to cancel your application. I'm sure it's no biggie.</p>

<p>That's what I said. Why waste more time filling out an application for a school you don't know much about or much like? You don't HAVE to apply.</p>

<p>If you can't think of any reason to apply to Barnard to write about, I don't know what to say.</p>

<p>It's mentioned often because that's a benefit of going to Barnard. Tons of classes and research facilities at a liberal arts college. But it should not be a REASON to go to Barnard, as you clearly know.</p>

<p>Thanks searchingavalon, that's exactly the point I've been trying to make for weeks.</p>

<p>Well I've already made up my mind (after a lot of thought).. I am going to apply!</p>

<p>Now you may say it's wrong or whatever, but I am still going to apply... And I just want some help in getting to know Barnard better by talking to students who go there!</p>

<p>So could you just STOP telling me not to apply!</p>

<p>Okay then. What have you found on the website or in the viewbook that sounds interesting?</p>

<p>Ok well here are some things that I like about Barnard, and also some questions that I have... so i can get to know the school better:</p>

<ul>
<li>I like the fact that Barnard is a women's college.. I'm increasingly attracted to all-women's colleges and the experience that comes along with this 'setting'..I know Barnard isn't the typical all-women's college but what do you feel are the good things about going to Barnard... What is it like to go to a women's college? Does it help you to really shine as a thinker, leader, student, person and so on (without the competition of men)... And are lots of women there feminists?</li>
<li>I hear that Barnard is very strong in dance and theatre (I'm an avid dancer).. I'm not going to major in dance or anything like that, but will I be able to take part in dance classes etc... </li>
<li>Are you allowed to take ANY course at Columbia?</li>
<li>Is Barnard completely self-contained.. Is there a strong dependence on Columbia for resources? Do some students have to "live" in some of Columbia's residence halls?</li>
<li>Can I get credits for some of the general ed requirements if I've done the IB? How long does it take to complete the general ed requirements? In the 'first-year seminar' course do you have to take seminars from all of these - literary, artistic, ethical, social, political? And what exactly is the 'first-year seminar'?</li>
<li>In your opinion, "Barnard's partnership with CU" ("Barnard students are part of an Ivy League univeristy, pursuing their academic and professional goals....") --> good or bad?</li>
<li>Have you come across many Barnard girls that were Columbia rejectees? How unhappy or happy are they? "I can predict what will happen if you come here, but I don't want to be mean." --> Pls do predict what will happen if I go there.. enlighten me...</li>
<li>Are professors easily accessible? And do all courses at Barnard get taught by a professor (I've heard that at Columbia TAs teach and professors are really hard to get in touch with .. eek :/)</li>
<li>Are there any fun/interesting Barnard traditions?</li>
<li>Are there sororities? </li>
<li>What study-abroad opportunities are there?</li>
</ul>

<ul>
<li>I like the fact that Barnard is a women's college.. I'm increasingly attracted to all-women's colleges and the experience that comes along with this 'setting'..I know Barnard isn't the typical all-women's college but what do you feel are the good things about going to Barnard... What is it like to go to a women's college? Does it help you to really shine as a thinker, leader, student, person and so on (without the competition of men)... And are lots of women there feminists?</li>
</ul>

<p>In many classes, there IS the competition of men. Unless your major is female dominated to begin with, there will be some guys in most of your classes. The only class I've had so far with NO men is my thesis seminar (BC students only). Lots of women here are feminists, of course, but most of them are sane about it. The benefits I've gotten from Barnard being a women's college have been limited to: good health services, generally cleaner and quieter dorm living, and the chance to meet really smart and interesting women. When I was in high school, most of the girls I knew were either shallow & ditzy or pretended to be. If I hadn't come here, I wonder if I would have made close female friends elsewhere. I love that being female isn't the first identity here.</p>

<ul>
<li>I hear that Barnard is very strong in dance and theatre (I'm an avid dancer).. I'm not going to major in dance or anything like that, but will I be able to take part in dance classes etc...</li>
</ul>

<p>Absolutely. Friends of mine in majors from physics to anthropology have taken dance classes, from ballet to african dance. They also count towards your gym requirement.</p>

<ul>
<li>Are you allowed to take ANY course at Columbia?</li>
</ul>

<p>No. No core, no senior seminars. There may be other restrictions that I don't know about, but generally enrollment is pretty open both ways.</p>

<ul>
<li>Is Barnard completely self-contained.. Is there a strong dependence on Columbia for resources? Do some students have to "live" in some of Columbia's residence halls?</li>
</ul>

<p>Depends on the department. Some are completely stand-alone (Econ, English, etc.) but you can supplement with a wider range of classes from CU. As for others, CU and Barnard don't want to duplicate academic resources, so some majors are "housed" at one school or the other, and some are very mixed. The schools discuss hiring decisions so they don't both hire someone in the same specialization if it's not necessary. The libraries are probably the largest point of dependence; the holdings of the University and interlibrary loan access are huge. </p>

<p>You definitely don't live in Columbia's halls. In fact, it's very difficult to do so. The number of Barnard students allowed to live in Columbia housing is limited by the number of Columbia students who want to live in Barnard housing; usually just a few every year, in the co-ed dorms.</p>

<ul>
<li>Can I get credits for some of the general ed requirements if I've done the IB? How long does it take to complete the general ed requirements? In the 'first-year seminar' course do you have to take seminars from all of these - literary, artistic, ethical, social, political? And what exactly is the 'first-year seminar'?</li>
</ul>

<p>I don't know anything about IB, but you can't get out of the requirements with AP credit, so I'd guess not. The requirements aren't so bad, especially if you can test out of the language requirement. The good news is that they can count towards your major credit, too. You'll probably finish most of your gen ed requirements in the first two years, while you explore and try to figure out what you want to major in. </p>

<p>As a transfer, I didn't take the first year seminar. But it's just a normal seminar, you pick a class, read some things, talk about them, and write a few papers. The seminar in residence is actually really cool, from what I hear. You live on a hall with students in your seminar, so you get to form nice bonds.</p>

<ul>
<li>In your opinion, "Barnard's partnership with CU" ("Barnard students are part of an Ivy League univeristy, pursuing their academic and professional goals....") --> good or bad?</li>
</ul>

<p>Mixed bag. The resources are great, but the student relationships can be strained. Overall, I'm glad it's here. Barnard was the only liberal arts college I applied to, because I was already thinking I wanted to go to graduate school, but I'm really glad I decided to go here instead of one of the universities I got into. Ironically, most of my research experience has been with Barnard professors, but I guess it worked out for the best either way.</p>

<ul>
<li>Have you come across many Barnard girls that were Columbia rejectees? How unhappy or happy are they? "I can predict what will happen if you come here, but I don't want to be mean." --> Pls do predict what will happen if I go there.. enlighten me...</li>
</ul>

<p>I do know a few. The worst I've met have been pretty sad. From day one of orientation, hanging out in front of John Jay, signing up for as many CC classes as possible, eating meals in the Columbia dining hall, trying to get into Columbia housing, etc. These are the stereotypical joke people, and I feel really badly for them. It's like those cheesey movies where the girl keeps chasing after some guy that dumped her, while meanwhile the nice male lead is there, trying to bring her around. I'm really not trying to be mean, I just don't want you to end up being one of those people everyone else laughs at.</p>

<p>Others go the opposite direction-- becoming insane Barnard cheerleaders, to justify that "they didn't want to go to Columbia, anyway, since Barnard's better." Those people are just as bad.</p>

<p>Of course, there are those who honestly liked both schools, for different reasons. I only know one of those types; she got rejected from both as a freshman and transferred into Barnard. She's really happy, and doesn't pretend to either be a CC student or pretend to think CC sucks.</p>

<ul>
<li>Are professors easily accessible? And do all courses at Barnard get taught by a professor (I've heard that at Columbia TAs teach and professors are really hard to get in touch with .. eek :/)</li>
</ul>

<p>Not all by full professors, but because Barnard doesn't HAVE a graduate school, we can't have TA's teaching the classes. But really, some TA's are good teachers. I had a great one for one of my calc classes. But the professors are AMAZING, and really accessible. Not only in office hours, but in, before, and after class, or by e-mail or phone. One of the greatest things about my experience here has been working with professors. They didn't treat me like a grade on a paper, but like a future scholar with interesting ideas to contribute. It's really inspired me to work harder, when the opinions of my professors actually matter to me. But I'm a complete academic nerd, so I'm definitely biased. They're generally great teachers, too. A few bad apples, of course, but a large part of Barnard's tenure review is based on teaching ability and student input.</p>

<ul>
<li>Are there any fun/interesting Barnard traditions?</li>
</ul>

<p>Oh man, I could go on forever. My favorite's Midnight Breakfast. The night before the first final, there's a big party in the gym and the deans and faculty serve students breakfast. There's a Spirit Day every spring, class events (senior dinner, sophomore major toast, etc.), fall fest (cider & caramel apples on the lawn, with games and whatnot), apple picking, the Greek Games... lots of really nice annual events. Oh, and stuff like screaming at midnight before your finals, and throwing all of your notes out the window onto the quad lawn. I'm much enmeshed in THOSE traditions lately...</p>

<ul>
<li>Are there sororities?</li>
</ul>

<p>Yes, and they're university wide.</p>

<ul>
<li>What study-abroad opportunities are there?</li>
</ul>

<p>I don't REALLY know about this. Two friends of mine spent a whole year in South Africa, and one spent a semester in Ireland. I know two girls at the London School of Economics right now. So it seems like it's common enough, but I've never looked into it myself.</p>

<p>Yikes, that's a lot. If anything was unclear or you want it expanded on, just ask. I'm in the library aaaaall day today, and can always use a study break.</p>

<p>Aww thanks dudie :) That was great.. It reallllyyy was!</p>

<p>well it's 1am here.. I better get to bed!
G'nite..</p>

<p>Which library are you at?</p>

<p>I'll def. have more questions coming your way...<br>
n.b - I think I can really like barnard for what it is if i wanted to... and I think I just might.... :) I don't want to get too attached anywhere though... Just in case I get rejected...</p>

<p>I got into barnard ED and I am so excited! I just liked it so much more than Columbia although they are both great schools. I am just concerned about the boy situation. How hard is it to meet guys if you are at Barnard and aren't about to crash Columbia parties?</p>

<p>Goodness me.. you're going to be in NYC.. how hard would it be to meet men?</p>

<p>Not at all. I'm not the party type, but through activities, classes, and friends, I meet more guys than I know what to do with. :-/</p>

<p>Ok..I really need the experts help. One of my best friends got into Barnard Early Decision, and she says that she got into Columbia University...and she really thinks that Barnard to Columbia is like Wharton to Penn...is this true? I mean, she is TELLING EVERYONE THAT SHE GOT INTO AN IVY LEAGUE and SHE GOT INTO COLUMBIA...she she is convinced that Barnard=Columbia....HELP me help my friend...how does it all work ppl?</p>

<p>Not quite like that. TECHNICALLY she's within her rights in saying she goes to an Ivy League university, since the degree is awarded by Columbia U and Barnard students play on Ivy League sports teams (which is really all it is, people...). But still, it's a toolish thing to say whatever the relationship is. I recommend shaking her silly, just to be on the safe side.</p>

<p>So just to make sure...Barnard is NOT to Columbia as Wharton to Penn (this was the analogy she used to tell me about Barnard). Gosh, she has it on her little bloggy thingy too... "I can't believe I got into Columbia!!!" ........ so I guess this is kinda bad...</p>