Why Barnard: Voices from the Barnard Community
Congratulations to the class of 2024! I remember being in your shoes two years ago and feeling incredibly excited for the next chapter of my life to begin, as cheesy as it sounds,. As a current sophomore at Barnard, I can confidently say that the excitement hasn’t diminished for me. I chose Barnard for the incredible opportunities and academic rigor, but also because there is something very empowering about women in leadership positions not being an exception, but being a given. It was honestly one of the easiest decisions I have ever made and I feel incredibly lucky to be at a school that is such a good fit for me and to call Barnard my home. Under our current circumstances where it is difficult to visit or revisit campus, making your decision may feel overwhelming. To help make that process smoother, I compiled a collection of quotes from the Barnard community sharing why they chose Barnard and how they feel supported here. Best of luck in your decision and I hope this can help provide some insight!
“Barnard offers a community strengthened by sisterhood that you simply cannot find at any other school. I not only feel academically and socially supported by my friends, but by my peers and professors as well. That’s why I chose Barnard” -Xixi Wang, ‘22, New York, New York
“I chose to attend Barnard since I knew attending would enable me to become that exact type of person I want to become: educated, empowered, and able to make long-lasting change. The community, never ending support, and being in NYC was just the icing on the cake” -Emily Ndiokho, ‘22, Allen, Texas
“The Barnard experience is amazing because you get the best of both worlds, with the supportive and tight-knit community of Barnard (and our small but lovely campus) as well as all the resources of Columbia right across the street! I truly believe that Barnard cares about its students. Although it definitely isn’t perfect, Barnard supports its students in a multitude of ways - grants and advising through Beyond Barnard, counseling and mental health resources through Furman, and more. There are so many opportunities that Barnard provides, and I just wish I could take advantage of everything!” -Priscilla Kong, ‘22, Bay Area, California
“I chose Barnard because I wanted to learn to be a confident individual and I think after four years, this college and my peers in it have provided me the tools to make that a reality” - Ottilie Lighte, ‘20, Princeton, NJ
“The reason I stayed at Barnard is because of the community that it cultivates and the friends I’ve made there” -Alexandra Humair, ‘19, Hong Kong
“If anything has been made clear about this year at Barnard, it’s that when times get hard our community really does prove to be tight-knit. I truly feel like we are all going through this together, and I do feel a community is there to support me. My major, Architecture, has been supporting students by providing us with the adequate software so that we can complete our projects and renderings from home now that we don’t have access to the campus computer lab. Also professors are pretty understanding” -Kassia Karras, ‘22, Beijing, China
“I chose Barnard because I was looking for a school where I would be challenged, motivated, and supported by my classes, professors, and peers; now, as a rising junior, I can confidently say it’s lived up to all these expectations and more! The Barnard commitment to a rigorous education for women, combined with the endless opportunities available in New York City, has shown me that there are really no boundaries to what I can accomplish, and that’s something I’ll forever be grateful for” - Jennie Yu, ‘22, Bethesda, Maryland
“Inclusivity is what I value most whether it’s in people, communities or environments. Since coming to Barnard, that is exactly what I’ve experienced and been presented with, an intentional inclusive community. Barnard’s faculty never fails to surprise me with the level of attention and care they give to their students and members of our community. I believe that the support that we receive is what makes Barnard special, it is truly incomparable. Regardless of what challenge I’m facing, I know where my resources are and I know they’ll put in the effort to help me in the best way they can. Here at Barnard, I feel cared for and ’m thankful for the community and people who make me feel this way” -Julia Kim, ‘22, Brazil/Korea
“At Barnard, I feel supported by the amazing friends I’ve made as well as the incredible staff and teachers. Many people working here give their all to support you, and I appreciate it every day!” -Solby Lim, ‘22, Boston, Massachusetts
“I feel really supported by my peers in my classes for my major. During office hours, TAs are always willing to explain things and my friends are always willing to collaborate which makes learning even more fun!” -Lindsey Weiskopf, ‘22, Baltimore, Maryland
“I knew from my first visit. Overhearing and partaking in amazing, insightful conversations with vibrant women in the greatest city in the world, what more could I ask for?” - Rachel Elkis, ‘22
“I chose Barnard for the academic resources, the holistic liberal arts approach, and the rigor. But Barnard has given me so much more. It’s provided me with a community, a family, and has been my personal cheerleader. Alumnae aren’t kidding when they say Barnard is home and I am and forever will be grateful for her.” -Michelle Jetton, ‘21, Hong Kong
“When I visited Barnard, I loved the campus and the atmosphere. It truly felt like my home away from home” -Deepika Nambiar, ‘22, Montebello, New York
“Living in a male dominated world, coming to Barnard has empowered me to be in spaces where people like me aren’t represented. I have found a community where I do not fear judgement or competition from my peers, rather support and empowerment and I am able to take this feeling of togetherness wherever I go and this has given me the confidence that I am able to achieve much more than I ever thought” -Delilah Beverly, ‘22, Oakland, California
“Having never heard of Barnard before I applied on a whim in December, I was uncertain of how I could feel coming to admitted students day in the spring. When I stepped on campus, I felt welcomed by my future peers, more so than at any other school. The next weekend, while at another school’s admitted students day, I sat down afterwards and immediately chose Barnard” -Posey Cohen, ‘22, Evanston, Illinois
“I never thought I was going to be an art history major! I took my first art history class at Barnard and my professor was so passionate and dedicated to keep us fully engaged so I was hooked! He’s my major advisor now” -Uyen Dinh, ‘22, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
“I grew up in a household run by strong, independently minded women. When it came time for me to find a new home, I couldn’t imagine living somewhere where sisterhood wasn’t a top priority. When I visited Barnard for the first time, I immediately felt at home. That feeling of acceptance, care taking, and family hasn’t diminished one bit as I finish up my sophomore year. -Hailey Ryan, ‘22, Tenafly, New Jersey