<p>I have a dilemma. I really like Barnard after visiting and think I’d be happy there. the academics seem strong and the location is great. But I just had a concern over the boy scene. I’m a straight girl and I enjoy boy’s company. I know you can take classes at Columbia, but how “available” are their boys? I’m not talking “go out with me!!” but more are they friendly with Barnard students? Are they willing to include Barnard girls? Thanks!</p>
<p>Emma, unless you decide to proudly wear a Barnard t-shirt wherever you go, there is no way for a male student to know whether any given female he meets is enrolled at Columbia or Barnard. You will meet more males in classes at Columbia than at Barnard, but in terms of regular activities (participation in clubs, campus events, etc.), there is no real difference. You’ll probably meet more guys if you are interested in activities that guys are interested in, such as those involving sports or politics. Of course there are guys with a wide range of interests — I’m just saying that the gender balance is in various activities is somewhat different. My daughter likes going to the ballet and she likes going to baseball games. She has male friends who share each interest, but I’m pretty sure that there are more men who share her interest in baseball. </p>
<p>The main difference with Barnard and a co-ed campus is that you are going to be living your first year in a female-only dorm, and so you aren’t likely to make new male friends in the hallways or common areas of your own living quarters. (It’s possible, since there is no restriction on the gender of guests and visitors, but that’s not the same as having a mixed gender group simply hanging out regularly in a common room.).</p>
<p>Calmom’s got it covered! </p>
<p>I’ll also say you definitely won’t be excluded by Columbia guys for being from Barnard. If any of the online Barnard hate does transfer to campus it’s usually from the girls.</p>
<p>Most of my friends the first two years were guys, most who I’d met from certain clubs. If you prefer male friends I don’t think you’ll have a problem. Also, consider you also have all of NYC at your disposal, so there’s always a chance to meet people at other schools, etc. My boyfriend is two years ahead of me and went to NYU, but somehow we still managed to cross paths!</p>
<p>Barnard has an advantage in that it’s a women’s college in a coed university; the campuses are right across the street from each other and the students intermingle in classes, EC’s and other campus activities. You’ll meet boys, don’t worry.</p>
<p>I am a current sophomore at barnard college and there is no trouble interacting with guys from Columbia. They take classes at barnard, you take classes at columbia, they’re in the dining halls, if you participate in clubs at Columbia which will be very likely since Barnard doesnt have their own cultural, professional clubs.
I was also nervous about the whole “only womens” but seriously here it is not an issue at all unless you restrict yourself to Barnard. You won’t even have to try too hard to make guy friends because Barnard women usually stand out from Columbia women.</p>
1 Like
<p>Thanks for the replies! I certainly feel better about this question. Thanks again for the expertise!</p>
<p>Thanks for asking this question, I was secretly wondering the same thing!</p>
<p>As my username says, I am a current Barnard student, class of 2015! It is totally not hard to meet guys here at Barnard. In high school I only had one serious relationship and I honestly was worried that in college I would also be doomed to be forever alone, but already I’ve met an awesome guy and we just started dating!
As someone already pointed out, you won’t really be meeting guys in your residence halls, but there are boys in every single one of my classes and it is very easy and often necessary to take classes at Columbia (although the ratio of boys to girls in Columbia and Barnard classes tends to be the same, interestingly enough). If you participate in clubs and get involved on campus, you are definitely bound to meet plenty of awesome guys, I promise! I know there is talk in these forums about the stigma of going to Barnard or mistreatment of Barnard students, but honestly that hasn’t been something I’ve really experienced. The majority of students on both campuses recognize that we are both separate and excellent institutions with some huge differences but a lot of shared academic resources and respect that. All my Columbia friends think that it’s awesome I chose to attend Barnard and that it is an incredible school. If some strangers like to make sweeping generalizations about Barnard students, well, that says more about them than it says about us!
Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Another current Barnard student! Get involved in clubs (which you should be doing for your own development as a well rounded individual anyway) and you’ll meet plenty of guys, both in a romantic and non-romantic context. In clubs no one cares where you go.</p>