Prospective student wondering about ED to Barnard (advice appreciated!)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Barnard College
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<p>Hey everyone
I am a rising senior in a NY public school. I am currently torn between doing early decision to Barnard of Columbia. For so long I was attached to the idea of attending Columbia but over the past few months, and when I visited in Barnard June (I visited Columbia before that), I have been leaning more and more towards Barnard. I feel like I don’t want to just be a number to a scholo, “another smart kid,” I want to actually count and be in a supportive environment. Columbia may be a bit too cold for me. Anyway:</p>

<p>Concerns about Barnard:
I guess i’m still one edge about it being an all girls school. I want to meet guys, and I hear it’s easy to meet guys, Columbia guys and anyone in NYC really. I just hope it is! I also hope I won’t get fed up being around girls so much.

  • Study Abroad. Is it an easy program to get involved in? I am really set on studying abroad in Africa, or Jamaica etc… is it hard to do so?
  • Is it very easy to register at Columbia classes, or do Barnard women get cut out quickly? I am worried that it will be hard to take classes.</p>

<p>Barnard Pros:
NYC. I love it.
Small college with resources of a big university</p>

<p>Also does anyone know how the psych, pre-med and visual arts programs art? </p>

<p>Stats for ED as of now:
2090 SAT (710 Writing, 660 Math, 620 CR)
660 SAT II Am Hist
690 SAT II Bio<br>
95.5 weighted GPA
APs scores: 5 AP Bio, 4 Eng, 5 US Hist</p>

<p>ECs: national scholastic art award (short story), lot’s of art stuff, painting, month long program at pratt, 2 week programs at parsons, 1 week brown program, 3 week program at simons rock at bard, lit magazine, starting a poetry reading in my local area w/ a friend, runner, vegan (haha had to throw it in), um and major: science research. I am doing a project on eating disorders with a professor at u of minnestoa and someone at columbia grad neurological institute. im going into ap art, and my concentration is body image.</p>

<p>I guess that’s all. my only other ed concern is that maybe my essay won’t be up to par. I have one but it’s a bit contorversial, so I need to try and write others.</p>

<p>to ed or not.
any advice would be amazing! thanks.</p>

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<p>Hello, dreadlocktear. I am a mom of a student who just completed her first year at Barnard. I hope I can address some of your concerns.</p>

<p>First, take a bit of time and look back at some posts in this forum and you will see many other questions about the "boys" issue, but I will say that my d also had no idea about wanting to attend a Women's college initially. She also first thought she wanted Columbia....but found Barnard much more suited to her. You will have absolutely no problems meeting men....and Barnard/Columbia classes are completely blended as far as registration goes (with the exception of a few things like Columbia's Core Lit Hum classes and Barnard's first year Seminars). In fact, there are some Columbia majors that are housed at Barnard. As far as being cut out of classes, I do not think you have any less opportunity to register for classes than any other Columbia University student (which you are, as a Barnard student).</p>

<p>Barnard is well known for their study-abroad program. Students are highly encouraged to participate....I hope a current student (or recent grad) can come on here and speak to this for you, but I don't think you should let this stop you from applying!</p>

<p>From your description of what you want in a college environment, Barnard sounds just right. Please be sure, though, that this is where you want to be as ED is of course binding! I hate to comment on "chances, but I think you sound like you would be a fascinating addition to the Barnard campus. Oh, and just make sure that essay is well-written and written with passion, from your personal perspective. I would not worry about controversy if those first two things are in place....just my opinion...:)</p>

<p>Best to you!</p>

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<p>I believe churchmusicmom covered a great deal of your questions. I just wanted to add not to apply ED if financial aid is a consideration. I applied ED and was accepted but if I didn't receive the aid package I did, I wouldn't have been able to attend. A very risky move on my part. Also if you search around on Barnard's website there's a page for study abroad that has lists of approved programs, and I believe some FAQs.</p>

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<p>hey everyone thanks for the info, i think im pretty set on applying early because barnard seems right for me etc. also, ive been researching and found the centennial scholars program, if i am interested in it should i mention it in my app or are applicants just chosen?</p>

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<p>For centennial scholars, about half are chosen at the time of admission and the rest are chosen during the first year.</p>

<p>I’m applying to Barnard ED for 2014 [I’ll hear back tomorrow!!!] but when I went to visit there, my tour guide described Barnard as the most co-ed women’s college and she’d researched pretty much all of the elite schools. So don’t worry about the situation with guys–they’re across the street :)</p>