Hello everyone,
This is my first time posting on this forum. My sister and I attend a not-so-well high school, and I have recently found information about Barnard’s STEP program for high school students. She filed an application and was admitted. Since she has a pretty decent background in math, is it worth to attend the program? Any information will be highly appreciated.
Thank you.
ps Barnard offers courses in Architecture, Art, Medicine Seminar, Computers, and Robotics
Rasulek, I’m the parent of a Barnard grad but don’t know anything about the STEP program. However, from the info on the web site, it seems that is a program that is run by the college, but is a high school enrichment program taught by high school teachers, not by college profs - so other than the fact that the classes are on the Barnard campus, it’s a separate program. So those of us who know about the college really won’t be able to give you much information.
If it is the only program your sister has been accepted to, it sounds like a wonderful opportunity. I can see that it is offered to low income and minority students in NYC at no cost – so why not attend, at least to try it out?
If it is a matter of choosing between Barnard’s program and another one – for example, the STEP program at NYU - then I’d think that the one with the more convenient location would be best. STEP is a state-funded program offered at many different colleges-- so it probably doesn’t matter which campus is chosen.
Thank you, calmom, for responding. I thought it was directly related to Barnard’s professors. We will think about attending or not for it will take more than an hour to travel there. But thank you very much.
Have you looked into STEP at any other colleges that might be closer to you? I can see from an online search that NYU and several CUNY’s also offer STEP – I would guess that the exact course offerings might be different among the programs, but I’m thinking you or your sister could try for a semester or during the summer to see how things go.
As a person who has sent many kids to the Barnard College STEP Program over the past decade (and also had a child who attended STEP), I think that if you can, you should definitely attend Barnard STEP as it is a wonderful program and you don’t necessarily a minority student to attend the program.
If it an Saturday enrichment program where you take a course in math (whatever mathematics you are taking in school), Science (whatever science class you are taking in school) ad an English writing class. They will look at your transcripts and regents grades (they want you to try to achieve mastery 85+ in math and sciences). You can probably take the Robotics or Architecture if you are already taking it in your school (or possibly junior /senior year)
The program also offers regents prep, free SAT Prep, College readiness (they do a 3-5 day tour during spring break), a summer program and internship programs. Their staff is really on top of things.
The director of the STEP program is also the director of the HEOP program .If you are a low income student (or even if you are not a low income student), who is doing well in school and doing well at STEP, and is interested in attending Columbia or Barnard who better to get a recommendation if you are interested in attending Barnard? If you are going to apply, you need to do it now because the deadline for the spring term is Jan. 23.
Barnard STEP is a wonderful opportunity that may lead you - if you do well- to a HEOP offer not just at Barnard but at other private, residential colleges in the State. It’s like getting what wealthy kids get at boarding schools… A HUGE advantage when preparing for college, preparing the application, etc. If you get in, of course you should do it. It’s awesome and you get to do so many things… and it’s free!
I’d travel more than an hour to do this if I could do it for free, seriously. If someone tells you “hop on the elevator to the 48th floor”, would you really say “Nah, I’ll walk up the stairs”?
(anyone who’s dealt with broken elevators in some of NYC’s buildings will sympathize with you but will be very puzzled if you choose to walk up 48 flights of stairs for no good reason).
because STEP is like taking the elevator to college.
Listen to why Sybbie said above, too, because she REALLY knows what she’s talking about. 
Thank you sybbie719 and MYOS1634 
You are really great.
Respectfully,
rasulek.