Many questions about Barnard

dolphins3636
Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:57:38 +0000

As others have said, aid is based on demonstrated need (not grades!), but is usually not as good as it could be. That being said, it isn’t absolutely horrible, just…not as good as it could be.
There are a variety of threads on this topic, but the gist of it is: yes but no. Barnard is a separate but very connected institution. You can take Columbia classes (the vast majority of my classes were Columbia because my major happened to be housed there), play on Columbia sports teams (I played on the rugby team), join Columbia clubs, even live in Columbia dorms if you want to, etc. Your diploma is signed by both the president of Barnard and the president of Columbia University. You attend a Barnard College graduation ceremony and a Columbia University graduation ceremony. However, the requirements to graduate are different from Columbia College/SEAS/GS.
Most employers who have heard of Columbia will have heard of Barnard, and will be equally impressed by it. If they have not, you can always include the full name of Barnard (Barnard College of Columbia University) or explain what Barnard is. I have never had a problem, and Barnard has definitely given me a leg up from what I can tell, at least in grad school admissions, and when I was applying to jobs right out of college.