We loved Barnard, and now we don't know...

Dustyfeathers
Sun, 17 May 2020 00:53:34 +0000

Barnard is one of four undergraduate colleges of Columbia University (the other three being Columbia College – what most people think of when they say “Columbia” – SEAS the engineering schools and GS the school of general studies for students who have had a gap in their education for whatever reason. )As one of four of Columbia’s undergraduate schools, Barnard students enjoy all of what Columbia offers – the clubs, the classes, the mentorship, the co-ed classes, the job opportunities, the panache, the opportunities to explore NYC for low-cost or for free (free entrance to many of the major museums including for example the Metropolitan Museum of Art – any time she wishes she can walk in flash her ID and walk through as much or as little of the collection of some of the world’s greatest art, similarly she can listen to some of the best performances of opera, Broadway performances, dance etc. for extremely low-price tickets through CU’s arts initiative) She is entitled to all of what CU offers without needing to take the core courses, which are on the heavy side IMHO. Barnard is exempt from those. Barnard is a self-contained culture and it’s possible for her to never leave the campus and achieve a full education, she can as she wishes access all else that’s offered her through CUs largesse. So: she can choose co-ed courses at CU in creative writing or predominantly women’s courses at Barnard. Men from CU can attend classes at Barnard as well. Barnard houses CU’s drama department, for example, and so CU in some ways depends on Barnard as well. There are many advantages to attending Barnard. In addition to getting an Ivy education she will be doing so in NYC–the city is part of her campus. The Red 1 Train line stops at Barnard’s doorstep and takes her to every part of the city, with connections. She can experience the arts, the various neighborhoods where she will not recognize what language people are speaking, taste food that she hasn 't imagined exists and in one evening can go all of the way to the ocean to surf and return, if she likes. She could bring a short board on the subway. My neighbor did this. Just an example of the many wondrous things of this city. If she becomes a creative writer, she will need IMHO first and foremost experience in life and while she has garnered experience in her life leading up to Barnard, NYC will provide her with contrast and nuance that she can barely imagine – it is something that experience alone can provide. In the end writing is about people, how humans change internally based on the experiences they have in the world. NYC is a wonderful petri dish for that sort of knowledge. I say: Barnard is a wonderful opportunity for your daughter. NYC is not a coddling place. Normally CU is quite responsive. I can’t speak for Barnard but it’s been covid central here in NYC for several weeks. The casualties suffered here amount to 1/4 of all in the entire country. That might account for the radio silence. We have had tents in Central Park as extensions of hospitals and in the CU neighborhood the massive cathedral of St. John the Divine (with peacocks on the campus) was turned into a temporary hospital. These are getting packed up now as COVID is going away. Everyone I know working at those campuses are working from home and haven’t been out of doors for more than an hour and at 6-15 feet apart for about 8-9 weeks. I personally haven’t been in a grocery store for 2 months and haven’t seen a friend in person for about three months. Barnard Gates, I jog past them daily, they have been 100% locked like a castle in siege for 8-9 weeks. No one is there. NYC is scheduled to begin opening (as we actually have been quite compliant regarding using masks etc and our COVID seems to be on the run) on May 28th. Hopefully you will receive more response at that time. FYI–it’s possible for her to walk to the Met through Central Park from Barnard. It’s a gorgeous walk and when not COVID era, my husband and I (we live in the neighborhood) walk almost every weekend to the Met and other museums. After 20+ years of living here and doing that, we still manage to “get lost” in the Met–that’s how big the collection is and how special. She will love Barnard. NYC is a special place.