Barnard College
Reviews

Small College, Big University

Barnard allows you to have all of the benefits of a small liberal arts college - personalized attention, small class sizes - as well as the benefits and resources of a big research university! I truly feel that we have the best professors in the world. I have not had a single professor that I didn't love, and going to class is always a treat. They're the best of the best!

Let's Hear It for New York!

Let's be honest here - nothing beats NYC! It is the greatest city in the world! Not only that, but Barnard has the benefit of having a nice campus as well as the urban atmosphere - you get the best of both worlds!

Rigorous but Rewarding

I have been consistently pleased with the quality of the academics at Barnard. From the variety of courses (101 classes to the ultra-specific) to the knowledgeable and caring professors, I have enjoyed every one of my courses. As well, because Barnard and Columbia students take about 50% of their classes at both schools, there is a ton of interaction between the two.

Barnard Academics

There's no doubt about it. Barnard academics are one of the most interesting, stimulating and challenging out there. The professors for the most part are fair, and will give you some wiggle room if you really need it. The multitude of Columbia libraries (the B-School Uris library is the best, just saying) as well as the multiple study spaces on Barnard's campus (for example the newly built Diana Center) give students many comfortable and scenic areas in which to work. However beware of the lure of New York at night. The sound of your hall mates dressed up and running to catch the next 1-train downtown or looking outside and the bright lights that beckon you while you're writing that final research paper is torture. But you enjoy exploring the city and having adventures with your friends all the more when you finally find an open day to trek downtown.

The Real Deal

Okay so, here's the deal: the people who write reviews are either over-the-moon in love with Barnard, or bitter. So I'd like to give you a glimpse of the happy medium. My first semester at Barnard, I was sad and lonely. I loved my roommate, but I didn't click with anyone on my hall or in my classes. I honestly thought about transferring, but I decided to stick it out for a little longer. I am so thankful I did that. I am currently a sophomore here and I can honestly say, I love Barnard. I found my niche (seriously: join clubs, teams, get involved, its the best way to meet people at city schools), I am constantly challenged in my classes to work harder, to think a different way. When I sit under the blooming magnolia tree on Lehman Lawn, I feel at home.

They Don't Call Them "Strong, Beautiful Barnard Women" for No Reason

Something to know about Barnard women: they are beautiful. I don't mean superficially, or that they are all super-models. I mean they are amazing women who, no matter what they look like, have strength and charisma. It feels amazing to know that you are surrounded by future leaders, by women who will go on to do great things. I wouldn't say that everyone is gorgeous, but there is a high percentage of beautiful women here (only compounded by their intelligence). Also, EVERYONE dresses well. I don't know why. It must be something in the water...

Everything You Could Want

I know every other reviewer and all of Barnard's admission's materials say this but I think I need to say it again: this is New York City. Want to see a play? Got it. Want to see a painting other schools look at in textbooks? Hop on the subway and see it in person. Want to hear a new up-and-coming band? Check out Brooklyn. Anything you want to do, you can do. Best part: you just need to walk out your front door.

"Amazing" Is All I Can Say...

Every time I sit in a classroom, I am amazed at how lucky I am. I'm being taught by professors who are the best in their field (Look up Janna Levin. Yep, she was in Morgan Freeman's Through the Wormhole with Stephen Hawking. The best part: as famous and awesome as she is, she still teaches Intro to Physics!). I have had the most fascinating discussions in my class (all have been less than 20 students) and I always come out excited for the next class.

City Living

I would say the housing lottery at Barnard is a dramatic process to undergo, especially since housing at Barnard is pretty good overall and yes, is an all girls school. The lottery was extremely excruciating for me because I disliked the girls I was supposed to live with, and somehow managed to dislodge myself from them thankfully due to housing lottery numbers. However, just be forewarned that Barnard housing is crazy process that may cause a lot of drama. Aside from social reasons, the availability of Barnard housing is great due to the guarantee that everyone will get housing and the rates are amazing for NYC. Parking is hard to come by, but you don't really need to worry too much about driving so not too much of an issue. The best housing options are the 600s because it is suite living with singles, and is close to campus. The worst housing option would probably be Elliott because of the small, cell like rooms. I currently live in 110th and Broadway which is apartment styled living, very spacious but 6 blocks from campus so the walk is annoying sometimes and I am irritated by lack of community, so living 6 blocks from campus doesn't necessarily help the feeling. However, if you dream of living in NYC in apartments at good rate, Barnard housing does a decent job of it.

Barnard's Balance

Barnard is strong in humanities but it also offers lots and lots of science research opportunities. There is a pretty tight relationship with Columbia- I had half my classes there first semester - which can be a blessing and a semi curse. You have an amazing research institute right across the street, but in general, Barnard professors tend to teach smaller classes (unless you're in premed 101 type classes) and are just much better at teaching. The only problem I have with Columbia is that it tends to detract from Barnard's awesomeness. It's not exactly a defined relationship, but it's a symbiotic one. Barnard professors, as I said before, are a-ma-zing. Then, of course, there's NYC. The greatest city in the world plus a college full of smart, diverse, cultured girls and awesome academic opportunities. What else could you want?

Safety and Security in Barnard

I have never felt unsafe on Barnard's campus. The presence of security officers obvious and ubuquitous. However, do be careful when stepping off campus late at night... Barnard/Columbia is right next to Harlem, after all. However, there are multiple call boxes and security will walk you to your dorm/wherever if you just give them a call. The most common incidences are theft/robbery, usually when a person is walking alone and late at night. Just use common sense.

New York Eating

I assume my school does not stress for execellent on campus dining because New York is filled with fabulous resturants and diners for every craving and type of food you can imagine. All the resturants are conviently accessible by the subway. However, it is important to research affordable dining because some of the resturants can be a bit pricy on a college student's budget. However the streets are always littered with food stands selling hot meals and even fresh fruit. Any type of food you can think of, you can find in New York. As far as student discounts, I have yet to find any resturants that gave me a discount.

Typical Ivy

Since Barnard is all girls, less people smoke or do drugs. The drug scene is that of a typical ivy league.

New York City

I think the fact that the college is located in such an expensive and desirable city says it all. New York is such a great place place to be (despite the cost of living) other than that if you enjoy the idea of living in such a diverse, exciting place Barnard is right for you.

Greek life is a great part of the...

Greek life is a great part of the College community. It's too easy for those outside the community to comment on and make judgments about it without really understanding what it's like. Sorority recruitment is highly selective. We are not unknown in the social scene or in student groups, and if a student has never met a member of a sorority, that is more attributed to his narrow social circle than to Greek life's lack of presence. Sororities at Columbia are a great way to meet other students—male or female—that you would have never had an opportunity to meet without Greek life. There are so many people I would have never gotten to know without Greek life, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to make friendships with all different kinds of people, not just the ones I am automatically drawn to.

Greek life does not dominate...

Greek life does not dominate Barnard student life as much as it might do at other universities, such as Howard. There is a big distinction between the Panhellenic and multicultural sororities, so depending on values you may be persuaded or dissuaded from joining certain ones.

The facilities are okay...

The facilities are okay considering the size of the college. The gym is tiny, and the library is a good size for the campus.

It's the city, so there's only so...

It's the city, so there's only so much that it can be safe. But considering, it's still pretty safe. Anytime something happens, the students get an e-mail, and fliers are posted in certain areas to inform us.

It's New York—what else is there...

It's New York—what else is there to say? It's great!

The winter is incredibly cold, and...

The winter is incredibly cold, and the summer is incredibly hot. Pack for all weather.

Terrible. Hewitt, the dining hall,...

Terrible. Hewitt, the dining hall, is my least favorite part of campus. I am disgusted with its food. If I was not required to be on an unlimited meal plan, I wouldn't be. I'd rather cook, and I hate cooking.

It's very diverse racially,...

It's very diverse racially, ideologically, and sexually. Politically, it is very liberal. Economically, most of the students seem upper class. If they are lower class, they try to hide it.

The party scene is very small on...

The party scene is very small on campus itself, as all of New York is your party. Most students go to clubs and bars. The dorms themselves are very quiet on weekend nights.

It's New York City, why would you...

It's New York City, why would you want to live off-campus when Barnard has apartment like dorms that are offcampus. It would be stupid to not go through Barnard housing.

No parking! It's the city.