<p>… just a few words will do …</p>
<p>Perceptive, powerful and achieving. (I was going to say pretty to keep with the p's, but it's so trivial. However, Barnard women do have that reputation.)</p>
<p>To understand the difference between Barnard and the other seven sister schools a bit of history will suffice.</p>
<p>The other "sisters" were schools where women boarded. They were academic, yes, but they also had a bit of a finishing school atmosphere about them. Of course, that is all gone now. Barnard began as a day school with no dorms. There has always been academic cross-over with Columbia and its primary mission was to train women for professions. Barnard women worked -- they did not marry and stay at home. The powerhouse employer of NYC probably had something to do with that.</p>
<p>Early graduates were Zora Neale Hurston and Margaret Mead.</p>
<p>Now the culture of the five remaining "sisters" is much more similar, of course, but Barnard still has a bit of urban grit -- no afternoon tea, for example. </p>
<p>You love it or hate it. My D loves it and would not have been happy at the other schools. NYC is the classroom. Other young women would feel just the opposite. That leads to a few more words.</p>
<p>Sophisticated, focused, independent.</p>
<p>Thank you ... very helpful ... I am beginning to get the "real" subtle differences between for the Ws schools.</p>
<p>You're welcome. What are your perceptions?</p>
<p>sophisticated, driven, creative, eloquent</p>
<p>ooooooo such a wonderful image ...</p>
<p>Self-assured, blessed with great friends, well-prepared for what is to come (can you tell my d is a rising Senior at Barnard???).</p>