<p>Hi all! This is my first post here at Confidential. I’m a lacrosse player looking to play at Columbia but the coach suggested I look at Barnard. So, after touring CC I walked over to Barnard and found that I love it even more than CC. I picked up an '04-'05 course catalogue and did some reading. My dream job is to be a civil rights activist, which probably means I’ll go into politics or law. Thus, I am curious about the following departments at Barnard (or CC if it applies):</p>
<p>-Human Rights Studies (my favorite thing about Barnard, I’ve yet to find another school that so completely fits what I want to do in life)
-Philosophy
-Political Science
-Sociology
-Urban Studies</p>
<p>In addition, I’m curious about the type of girls who major in Human Rights Studies or take a lot of these classes. What type of people are they, what are they looking to do with their major, what do they actually end up doing, courseload, respect from others in regards to the area of study, etc?</p>
<p>I’m excited about Barnard. I go to an all girls school now and really feel it offers the best of both worlds. The only other questions I have are about the supposed isolation I hear CC students encounter. Is this prevalant at Barnard too? How are athletes looked upon at Barnard (by both CC and Barnard students)?</p>
<p>Forgot to mention I’m going to be a senior this year, class of 2006! And I’ll probably apply ED (the reallllly early one by October 1st so I can get a “likely letter”). I’ve got an interview next week with Emily Buckley, who seems nice. Any pointers?</p>
<p>I know one girl who majored in HRS; she's going to law school next year. Her interests and goals sound pretty similar to yours, but of course you can get there from any of the majors you listed (and others). HRS students end up taking a LOT more classes in other departments, including those you listed, because it's a very interdisciplinary subject. NYC's a cool city to study human rights in, because there's so much activity here.</p>
<p>Barnard has one of the best urban studies programs going. The only girl I know who majored in it is going into social work, the CC guy I know is doing some kind of historical map archival preservation..? But he eventually plans on grad school in urban studies. Then, I'll guess he'll work in city planning.</p>
<p>The rest of the departments are pretty standard fare.</p>
<p>I can't imagine feeling isolated at Barnard. Just my experience, of course, but I can't step on campus without at LEAST getting involved in a conversation with someone. The staff is (mostly) really friendly and down to earth, the professors know you as a person, and a lot of the students don't seem to consider anyone a stranger. </p>
<p>But- there isn't a lot of athletic pride (among non-athletes) on campus. You're not going to be SHUNNED, of course, but neither will you be glorified as a campus hero. When it comes up that you play on a team, people will probably say, oh, that's cool, and have a conversation about it same as they would for any other interest. Attendence at most games is pretty dismal, despite administration's efforts to get people pumped up.</p>
<p>Interview tips: PLEASE be yourself. Don't be your resume or spout the party line of what you think the interviewer wants to hear. They really can tell. Know (don't just memorize) why you want to go to Barnard, and how you feel about different aspects of the school relating to your potential experience here.</p>