<p>The following question may seem rather dumb. But…if I am accepted and then enroll in Barnard, will I have basically said 'bye to guys for four years? I mean, does the typical Barnard student go days without talking to guys in the school/dorm/etc. settings?
This worries me a little. I would really miss lack of more than a handful of guy friends.
Thanks!</p>
<p>No, you will not be without guys. There are guys actually in Barnard classes (some, not many, I think) and there are, of course, guys on campus at the University in general and you will have reasons to go across the street. Make sure you take the time to be involved in all the orientation activities and you will have a great start at getting to know a number of people your age, guys included.</p>
<p>My daughter never once considered going to a woman's college, but Barnard (cliche' though it sounds) really does have the advantages of an all-woman institution but without the limitation of social opportunities with guys, and is so unique in this regard. Don't worry about this at all!</p>
<p>Ok thanks, I fell slightly better.</p>
<p>Some of the classes have a fair number of guys. There are as many Columbia registrants in Barnard classes as Barnard registrants in Columbia classes, and half of them are guys.</p>
<p>My D met many guys on Facebook the summer before Orientation and stayed friends with many of them.</p>
<p>Right now she is in a class in which she is the only Barnard student. They went on an extended field trip to another city and really made friends with all the young people in the class, the men and the women from Columbia. She has friends from both sides of the street.</p>
<p>Not a dumb question at all ! Everyone wonders this.</p>
<p>I'd say it's not just as easy to make guy friends at Barnard than at co-ed schools. It's definitely a little bit harder - you'll find that most people make a lot of their best friends on their hall. So, a lot of your best friends will be girls and their best friends will be girls and I do hear people complain that they have no, or very few guy friends. That said,
you will definitely NOT have to "say bye to guys." I personally have several guy friends here - actually, more than I had in high school. I met them in a bunch of different ways and it helps that I have a couple of good friends at Columbia. But, say I had no guy friends right now, there are guys in all of my classes except one this term, guys in my extracurriculars, and guys who are friends with my friends. Their are plenty of opportunities to meet guys here but it's just a little bit more difficult and might require a little more effort - you have to be outgoing during orientation, in your classes, and get involved in some extracurriculars (this is the easiest way, i think). Of course, you can also always meet guys at parties and through friends.</p>
<p>aube88, thanks so much for posting from the perspective of an actual student! I am sure all here appreciate a POV from someone other than a "mom" :) !!!</p>
<p>Any other Barnard students out there??</p>
<p>Thanks for the input! Very helpful :) Any more opinions, especially from current students and recent alumnae?</p>
<p>You certainly will not have to give up guys. Really the only thing that is "women only" at Barnard are the residence halls (and you can get around this if you really wanted to by living over at Columbia) and the Freshman seminars. Other than that there are boys in the classes, the dining hall, on campus, visiting the dorms, etc.. I actually have more guy friends than girl friends! I would recommend getting involved in University wide organizations (most of them are), because it is a GREAT way to meet people, especially guys, past orientation.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Ok thanks :) I'm so excited for next year!!!</p>