<p>In the Fiske book, it says Barnard “boasts strong support for budding writers and is a hotbed of new talent.” I’ve never heard that said about Barnard before. In what ways does Barnard support writers specifically? To what extent is the statement valid?</p>
<p>Not to sound like an ap/ib exam or anything :D</p>
<p>I am surprised you have not heard this before...it's one of the first things we heard about! It's true...Barnard encourages and nourishes strong writers in every discipline (not just literature/humanities, but science, dance, etc.). Seminars in very, very small group settings are offered which encourage discussion and then writing about the subject. I am not great at explaining this...but I know my daughter has, as a science major, been exposed to and required to do everything from write research papers on topics in dance, neuropharmacology, literature, and has had actual practice in writing a research grant. </p>
<p>Just find a list of Barnard alumnae and you will see a huge number of well-known women authors there! Zora Neal Hurston and Anna Quindlen to name a couple (though I probably misspelled their names...sorry!).</p>
<p>My D's roommate is a creative writing major. Well, no longer roommates, but still great friends. The program is amazing. It's by permission only, so work must be submitted to be allowed into the program. Thus, everyone is talented and serious. The chair of the dept. is Mary Gordon, an alum and a Pulitzer and National Book Award winning writer.</p>
<p>There are public readings where the budding writers get to present work and the entire school is very proud of them.</p>
<p>The head of the Creative Writing major is one of D's favorite people. She's awesome.</p>
<p>Wow, Barnard seems more perfect for me every day! I really hope I get in...</p>
<p>Thanks for the information! So could one assume that the essay and short answer responses are weighed heavily by admissions?</p>
<p>A safe assumption. Barnard's application really gives the applicant a chance to show many different aspects of herself.</p>
<p>My interviewer raved about Barnard's writing program and about the fact that everyone writes constantly at Barnard, they really want everyone to be a great writer.:) She also said that the essays are very heavily weighted, they want to see your personality and they want to see that you can write.</p>
<p>Agreed. D1 is an Art history major and her writing above most of what I read in my field. D2 is writing quite a bit as well.
Writing is a major strength of Barnard.</p>