How is Barnard like? Intl student here who cannot visit
I'm an international student so I'm unable to visit, and while I'm very interested in BC I want to know if I'll be a good fit.
Can current students or students who have visited tell me what it's like? Mainly the community, girls there, academics and the classes, relationship with Columbia, the age-old how is it like with no boys question, environment etc.
The boy issue is moot. You're in NYC for god's sake. Barnard isn't big and if you're ever going to take a step outside during your 4 years you will find boys everywhere and anywhere. But that's all I can inform you on since I live by Barnard; I don't actually attend.
As for the Columbia relationship issue... it's not an issue! I'm 99.99999879% certain that it never comes up really. It came up recently--and viciously--when President Obama chose to give a graduation speech at Barnard instead of his alma mater Columbia. Maybe once in a while you'll come across a *****y disgruntled stressed and tired Columbian (is that even a thing?) and they might say something like rude offhandedly. But no, it's not a big deal. At the end of the day you take most of the same classes, attend the same events, etc etc. I promise you it won't be an issue.
But what I find irritating is when Barnard girls say "I attend Columbia". It kind of sort of a little bit is technically true but it's annoying and if I attended Columbia I'd be annoyed. Why not be proud of attending Barnard? Whoever says Barnard is a backdoor to Columbia is completely wrong although people try to use it that way it really doesn't work. Most of the time if you didn't get accepted to Columbia you'll have a terribly hard time getting accepted to Barnard. So why not be proud of attending Barnard? It's a prestigious college and you worked hard to get to it.
Again I don't go to Barnard, but its academics are stellar, its location is prime, and its student body is hard working and sincere. It definitely has a campus feel unlike NYU and it's more intimate. I dunno what else I can say considering I don't attend Barnard.
Hm. I would disagree on NYC issue. It highly depends on your major and your attitude towards it, of course, but some majors hardly ever go out. And if you do go out, you go out with your girlfriends.
Columbia issue does come up. However, unless it's a professor, no one outright tells you you're inferior.
I'm doing hard science classes. I don't really have time for any friends, guy or girl.
On the 'girlfriend' side, I meant that initially you know mostly the girls from your floor/OL group. So, yes, until later time, you first go out with girls, and then guys seem to appear just out of the blue. I still have no clue how is it that I have guy friends xDD
I'm a international student as well! Would love to apply early this year for 2018.
One question: What is the social environment like at Barnard? Are students generally friendly and welcoming to international students?
angelfishx, yes, they are. However, you should be aware that cultural differences DO matter.
You WILL be forgiven a few indiscretions and if you ask for help, EVERYONE will basically run to help you out. This is a close-knit community and people here are accepting and friendly.
@Oasis, you said you'd be irritated if a Barnard student said they "attend Columbia"? If a girl is enrolled at Barnard and goes into Computer Science, all of her classes will be at Columbia. If someone asks her about her classes she can only talk about columbia bc that's where she takes the classes, right? This is kind of petty and gives a negative impression when people say something like that is irritating. I mean really.
@AsAlways, you'd love it. It's right in the city. It's clean, sunny, and it's rich. And it's right across the street from Columbia. what's not to love about that? Ha ha. I'm teasing, but seriously it's a handsome school.
thanks adversa! any examples on some cultural differences that you've witnessed?
also, do barnard students discuss about political events? are students generally more liberal or conservative?
Generally, it is full of democrats. But I know a very large number of Republicans, too.
People were discussing politics around 2012 election time. I, however, am completely apolitical, and was successfully able to avoid being engaged in debates. I promise, I did not make much effort at all. Here, you can choose what to do, and people will understand.
There also are clubs for all sorts of political preferences and I know people who very much enjoy them. I would suggest to look into the Organizations list on Columbia's website - it knows far more than I do about the topic xD
Cultural differences? Mainly, back home you come to friends for consolation. Here friends seem to tease you a lot. I was shocked. Also, with the whole feministic spirit of the US and this community, I was apalled at how not-curteous guys are. But I come from Europe, so don't take this upon my word. Then again, my French friend completely agrees with the fact that american guys are kind of rude from our point of view. Also, people are shocked at what we have to tell them about European manners. I find it funny xD
A Turkish friend of mine described american food very aptly: "it's lazy". They don't put as much thought into their food as we do. Oh boy.
The dating culture is much different from one I am used to. Essentially, there is none. This came as an unpleasant surprise, too.
I'm in a bit of a hurry so don't want to spend too much time coming up with cultural differences, but you are very welcome to shoot me a message with more concrete questions! I promise to answer them. I liked the political one - it was easy to answer <3
