Should I transfer to Barnard from Reed?

USofArugula
Sat, 18 Dec 2010 15:04:03 +0000

I’ve been at Barnard all four years, but know some transfers. That said, I totally empathize with some of your angst about transferring–it is a huge uncertainty, and that kind of precarity can be really unnerving. That said, it sounds like you’re pretty miserable where you are, so, I mean, the worst thing that could happen when you come here is that you find it equally unsatisfying. I guess I’ll just do my best to relay my experience at Barnard.

I have never taken a class in either the English or Philosophy departments. I’m a double-major in PoliSci and French. I think that Barnard academics are probably less structurally intimate as those at Reed, but most majors offer upper level seminars that are pretty intimate and exchange-oriented. And, all creative writing courses are capped, so I imagine those are interactive to the same degree as Reed. There are a lot of small courses that are run more as a lecture-style, and hand-raising is pretty common (if only as an organizational phenomenon). I wouldn’t take that as a sign of subpar intellectual expectations or curiosity, though. The seminars I’ve taken have all hinged on disciplined, critical exploration of the week’s (copious) readings. I don’t think that Barnard is less intellectually rigorous than Reed, but it’s structured differently. Even in courses that are more lecture-intensive, the readings are extensive (up to 400 pages/week) and thought-provoking. If you want to go further in-depth, professors are always willing to meet, and excited to discuss the material with you. The rigor is there, if you choose to tap into it.

In terms of intellectualism, the more striking difference would be student attitudes. I’m probably over-stereotyping Reed, but I visualize it to be the kind of place where there are a lot of heated discussions of post-structuralism over salvia-laced bong hits in the dorm. (Note: that’s not intended to be pejorative, nor to any form of an assumption about what your experience is like at Reed…it’s just to say that I perceive Reed to be the sort of place where intellectualizing is part and parcel of the social life) Barnard is a bit less of a “small liberal arts college” in that sense. Many women here could have that kind conversation, and sometimes we do, but there are also a lot of women who come in with a specific path in mind, and don’t get into stuff outside of that. Basically, most of us enjoy a solid intellectual conversation, but we are more apt to talk about less theoretical things: politics, pop culture, and non-academic interests. That said, it’s basically just a matter of finding your people.

Thus, coming to the crux of your problem at Reed. Both Spring and Fall transfers have orientations, and all transfers are housed Elliott (for which I am truly sorry…it’s totally livable, and the facilities are nice, but the rooms are TINY), plus there are a lot of Transfer Alliance events, so there are good opportunities to meet people. That said, the freshman clumping phenomenon at Reed applies at Barnard, too. There is a tendency to make friends with a group of people your first-year, and stay. That said, though, those groups are pretty mutable, and ever-expanding. The groups you’re describing at Reed almost sounds clique-ishly rigid, which is not the case at Barnard. You do have to make an effort to reach out to people, but everybody’s really receptive. But, I wouldn’t worry too much about finding a “group.” One of the most fulfilling parts of Barnard has been learning to develop incredibly close one-on-one friendships. Again, there are tremendously rewarding social experiences to be had here, but you have to work for them.

A side-note: most of my transfer friends here were partially lured by the promise of a close-knit community, with all of the perks of NYC. That’s a falsity…at least, partially. No school that offers all of the opportunities and distractions of New York can maintain as strong of a sense of community as someplace like Wesleyan or Williams. That said, since the Reed “bubble” is what’s bothering you, Barnard’s less-than-obvious sense of community might suit you well. If you find yourself wanting a Barnard community, though, it is there. You just have to find it. (THEME!)

Now, down to the emotional nitty-gritty. I don’t know you at all, I don’t know your psychological history, and I don’t want to make assumptions. Major caveat, to take as you will: Barnard is not an easy place to be. That’s the best way of putting it, I think. There are tremendous opportunities for growth and exploration, but goddamn if you don’t have to work to find and develop them. You’re forced to figure out what you want/need, to formulate plans on how to get it, and to pursue it with persistence. That’s actually probably among the most rewarding parts of the Barnard education–it fosters self-awareness, poise, resilience, and reasoning that will serve one well in the future. Sometimes it’s miserable, sometimes it’s incredible, and, overall, it’s the sort of education that very, very few schools are equipped to offer.

Further caveat: Barnard and Columbia both offer their fair share of unhappy people, and, moreso, an ethos of stress. You’ll never have to worry about getting kicked out of the library at closing time on weekends; Columbia’s undergraduate library never closes, and it’s always well-occupied. Part of this is academics–courses are rigorous, and people here are exceedingly motivated by self-imposed standards. Another huge chunk is NYC. Most people who go here probably need to be in a big city (it seems like you do too). But, like BC/CU, the city itself has an ethos of frenzy. Morningside Heights is a quieter neighborhood, but it’s not isolated. The pace of life is fast, and you can never quite escape city/socio-economic/media/national/international politics. It’s amazing, but also exhausting. Furthermore, with all of the opportunities of New York, one feels obliged to take advantage of them all. With no classes on Fridays, many people intern during the year. Plus, there are the museums, performances, restaurants, bars, parties, seminars/lectures at outside venues (TimesTalks, etc), not to mention on-campus clubs and programs. You will never suffer for lack of possibilities, but figuring out how to balance them is tricky. There is a pervasive mindset of “NYC offers me incredible opportunities, therefore I must pursue as many as possible.”

Thus, Barnard definitely does offer a more “real world,” pragmatic education (in addition to the academic one). But, closer exposure to non-academia doesn’t necessarily make the inherent insecurity of this part of life easier. The unknowns are the same here as they are in Portland, and the precarious transition to adulthood is just as terrifying. Barnard might have a culture closer to “real life,” but it’s also still college. So, what you can end up with is this weird liminality, where you’re playing at adulthood (brunch dates with friends, running off to the internship in business casual, dinner parties, networking luncheons/happy hours, BlackBerry life), but you’re still a student, and a kid. That said, there are pretty amazing support systems at Barnard that know how to help you work through the instability–Furman Counseling, Deans, supportive professors, and friends.

So, summary: I think, based on your issues with Reed, Barnard could be a good fit for you, especially because you can go back to Reed if you don’t click with Barnard. New York is great, the academics are solid, and the social life is pretty open, if you put in the effort. I know a lot of what I’m said seems negative in tone; I’m not trying to dissuade you from coming here, I just think it’s better experienced with a basis of knowledge. That said, obviously, different people experience it in different ways. I love Barnard–there is absolutely no other school that would have been right for me. I know this was super long, but please message me if you have more questions/want clarification.

Best of luck with your decision, and with the rest of school!