I’m an international student planning to apply to Barnard. Since I don’t have the chance to do interview and visit the campus, can anyone tell me what the atmosphere in Barnard is like? (the campus, support for international students, learning atmosphere etc)
Also, can anyone please give me an in depth explanation of the Barnard/Columbia link? Is it true that Barnard students can receive their degrees from Columbia university? Do Columbia students consider Barnard students as a part of them or are Barnard students isolated/alienated?? Sorry for so many questions but I am really confused over the Barnard/Columbia link. Thanks! 
I’ve also noticed that Barnard’s admission stats are slightly lower than Columbia’s ( For instance, according to Barnard’s Common data set, the SAT 25th percentile is 1890 whereas Columbia’s is like way higher). Since Barnard students can have classes and join student activities in Columbia, do people consider Barnard as like a “backdoor” to Columbia??
Barnard is a semi-independent subsidiary of Columbia. It operates independently financially and handles its own admissions, but degrees are issued from Columbia University and Columbia U. retains control over issues such as faculty tenure.
In the US it is common that the word “University” refers to an umbrella organization that is made up of many subsidiary colleges and schools, both graduate and undergraduate. Just about every large university follows that model. I noticed that in the other thread you started you were asking about Boston University – according to its web site BU has 17 colleges and universities.
It is also common that the degrees are issued by the University no matter which school is attended. The diploma will of course also reflect the name of the college or school.
“Columbia U” actually has three separate undergraduate colleges (other than Barnard) – the SEAS school of engineering, Columbia College, and the School of General Studies.
Most Barnard students take a significant portion of their coursework on the Columbia side of the street, and many courses are coordinated between the schools so that, for example, a course might be given at Columbia in the fall and the same exact course, with the same course designation, might be given at Barnard in the spring. A student who wanted or needed that course to fill major requirements would be looking at whether the course fit into their schedule, not which campus it was on. For example, my daughter and her fiance (a Columbia grad who was a year ahead of her in school), had similar majors and took some of the same courses, same professors, at different times.
Thanks @calmom ! It’s really great that Barnard students can access resources of one of the best universities in US. Does that mean the quality of education Barnard students get are similar to that of Columbia?
@calmom thanks for taking the time to answer these questions. Frankly, I find it frightening that applicants ask these types of questions since the information is on the website (and all over College Confidential). As for the question as to whether Barnard students get the same quality education as at Columbia, I’m dumbfounded. Barnard is part of Columbia University. I do believe that high school students no longer bother reading anything they are sent.
Yoonicess - if you are serious about applying to Barnard/Columbia, I suggest you read up and also read what is on their websites. Your question shows that you know literally nothing about them, and so I wonder why you are even applying.