Why Barnard?

I first knew I wanted to apply to Barnard in my sophomore year, when an admissions representative visited my high school. I am from Brooklyn, NY and knew I wanted to stay in the city for college. Size and location-wise, Barnard was just what I wanted: a small, liberal arts college with a beautiful campus, connected to a large research university, all within NYC, but far enough away from home that I could dorm there. In high school, I participated in a college access program for students from low income backgrounds called Minds Matter. Through Minds Matter, I was able to attend the Barnard Pre-College Program during the summer between my junior and senior year. During the program, I took the classes “Race, Gender, and Science Fiction'' and “Expectation-Defying Women: Seeing Musical Theatre as Literature.”

I loved that Barnard was a place where I could combine and cultivate my different interests, which speaks to Barnard’s  liberal arts education. I also really liked that these small, discussion-based classes allowed me to participate more and develop more personal relationships with my peers and professors. Whenever I was on campus (for the summer program, HEOP Scholars Day, and my on-campus interview), I felt supported and welcomed by Barnard students and faculty in ways that I hadn’t felt visiting other colleges and universities. After that experience, I believed Barnard was the perfect fit for me and would be a place where I could grow and thrive, and decided to submit my Early Decision application that following fall. 

Now a sophomore at Barnard, securing my first internship with Barnard alumnae, and soon to declare my major, I’m happy to say that studying at Barnard has been as wonderful as I had imagined during the application process. I’ve found an amazing community of students and faculty dedicated to supporting me and my journey, and I am looking forward to seeing what the next few years at Barnard will bring.