<p>My daughter is finishing her first semester at Barnard and truly loving it – although she’s getting pretty frazzled during finals with everything she has to do. </p>
<p>Yesterday she sent me a copy of the final paper she submitted in one of her classes. I must say that I was blown away at the level of sophistication and analysis displayed in her paper (I’m telling you this not to brag (since this is anonymous), but to make a point about her educational experience). </p>
<p>She went to an excellent high school with very advanced courses (with APs, Great Books, etc.) and I read all of her papers written during her senior year – and nothing that she wrote in her senior year even approached what I read yesterday.</p>
<p>I realize that students at this stage in their lives are maturing rapidly, but I truly believe that the biggest contributor to her growth has been her experiences at Barnard – not just in this one class, but in all of her classes. </p>
<p>If the next seven semesters go like this first semester, wow!</p>
<p>out of curiosity, did your daughter go to stuyvesant high school? </p>
<p>and honestly, that's reallly reassuring to know because i love barnard but in the last month, i've doubted my fit there and knowing this is kinda nice. thank you!</p>
<p>Marv, I have had the exact same experience -- I was blown away by the level of sophistication of my daughter's final paper for her writing class. She had a take-home final for another class that was utterly amazing. A few weeks ago she phoned and read me an essay that she had written on an exam; she was proud because she had received 20 out of 20 possible points -- and I was amazed that she could possibly have written all of that during class.</p>
<p>Unlike your d, mine went to a public high school where the academics weren't all that great, and I've been watching the kid take it easy for years. I always knew she was capable of more, but her high school didn't do much to prepare her for what she is doing now. But she's definitely holding her own -- working hard but not overwhelmed.</p>
<p>So we parents are definitely getting our moneys' worth. </p>
<p>-
Princess - when you say you've been doubting your fit, are you referring to academics or social fit? I can see that my daughter is working harder than she ever has before. Fortunately (for her) the final exam she has today (Friday) is her last for the semester, so she will be home this weekend and able to relax; I know she is really looking forward to her break.</p>
<p>More on the "great education" theme: My d is in her second year there and has discovered a love of science. She is a dancer and had always thought she would study something more literature/writing based (which she also loves), but the academic "atmosphere" at Barnard is just that encouraging and stimulating. I would not have ever expected her to discover a desire to take the classes she is now taking and loving...</p>
<p>Calmom, enjoy your daughter's visit home!!! Mine has more finals next week, so she will be home later on.</p>
<p>Marvlounge, I am so glad to hear of your daughter's success and I am glad you started this thread. I agree one hundred percent: Our daughter's educations at Barnard are worth every penny!!!</p>
<p>No, my daughter went to high school in Southern California. I've met a njmber of her friends at Barnard and they seek to be all "types" -- so I wouldn't be worried about fittting in. You'll find the people that you feel most comfortable with, and then form great relationships.</p>