College Spotlight: Barnard College

Barnard College is a private women's liberal arts college located in New York City, USA. It was founded in 1889 and is affiliated with Columbia University, located across the street, in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of New York City.

It is considered the most selective women’s college in the country and is right up there with the Ivies. Although Barnard is an independent college with its own faculty, curriculum, and administration, it has a unique relationship with Columbia University and shares access to academic resources along with extracurricular activities, athletic fields, and even dining halls. The relationship is so unique it can be hard to describe, but in short, Barnard can be seen as a college of Columbia University, meaning your diploma will be from Columbia University, Barnard College.
Facts & Numbers

Undergraduate enrollment: 2,959

Women: 100%

Admission rate: 11%

Average High School GPA: 4.0

Student Faculty Ratio: 10:1

Campus Type: City

Student Quotes

(ref. The Fiske Guide)

• “The academic climate of Barnard is exhilaratingly rigorous. Students are deeply committed to their studies and their intellectual pursuits” 
• “Barnard students are smart, driven, strong go-getters who are going to change the world one day”
• “The dorms and housing at Barnard are amazing,” says one senior. “They are clean, comfortable, spacious (mostly!), and very well maintained.”
• “Most of the social life takes place around campus, but you obviously have all of New York City to explore.” 
• “This is not a school where students go out every night. Maybe once a weekend, or every other weekend.”
• “It has the supportive community of a small liberal arts women’s college, the resources of a large research institution through Columbia, and the infinite opportunities of New York City right outside the gates” 

Academics

Academically, Barnard combines its reputation for nonconformity with a demanding curriculum. Barnard is known for its rigorous academic programs in the liberal arts and sciences. It offers a wide range of majors, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary studies. The college emphasizes critical thinking, writing skills, and a global perspective in its curriculum.

Barnard students start with a joint orientation with Columbia, exploring campus and the city. There's also an optional pre-orientation volunteer program. First-years also take a writing course, a first-year seminar, and a physical education course. They fulfill Modes of Thinking requirements in areas like Technology, Local Issues, and Social Differences. A senior project ensures depth in their major.

Popular majors include economics, psychology, English, political science, biology, and neuroscience. Architecture, math, and the arts (especially dance) are also strong. Academics are rigorous, with a low student/faculty ratio and no graduate teaching assistants. Professors prioritize undergraduates, and there's a focus on impeccable instruction. Research, especially in sciences, is emphasized, often through internships and seminars. Many opportunities exist beyond the classroom, from lab research to Met internships.

Diversity

Approximately a quarter of Barnard students are from New York, while 11 percent come from abroad. Asian Americans constitute 15 percent of the student body, African Americans 5 percent, Hispanics 11 percent, and multiracial students 6 percent. The student body is largely politically engaged and leans liberal. While Barnard doesn't provide merit or athletic scholarships, it ensures a need-blind admissions process for domestic first-year applicants and meets their demonstrated financial need in full.

Housing

The majority, 91 percent, of Barnard students reside in on-campus dormitories. The campus offers a range of housing options, including an 18-story tower, a dorm complex, and eight off-campus apartment buildings. Access to non-residents is controlled, with residents required to sign them in, contributing to a sense of safety. Barnard also shares two co-ed dorms with Columbia University. The college assures four years of housing, which a student appreciates as a "relief" given the challenges and costs of securing an apartment in New York City.

Student Life

In terms of social life, students balance their time between campus activities and exploring the city. Traditions like Big Sub and Midnight Breakfast add fun to the academic year. Winterfest celebrates women in the arts. About 10% Barnard students participate in Columbia sororities. Alcohol is allowed in residential areas for those of legal age, but partying isn't an everyday occurrence. Students often explore cultural offerings in the city, often free with their school ID. 

Barnard athletes compete in the Ivy League alongside Columbia students. Popular sports include basketball, softball, tennis, track and field, and crew, with a strong fencing team. While access to Columbia's gym and co-ed intramurals is available, many Barnard women prefer intellectual pursuits over physical exercise.