Tell me about the arts at Barnard

Through all of the arts programs at Barnard, students earn a bachelor of arts degree (a BA or AB if you are writing the Latin abbreviation), so our programs will not require portfolio reviews or auditions or separate evaluations of performance or talent as part of our admissions process. The pursuit of majors like these within a liberal arts setting like Barnard will be very different than what you would find in a stand alone conservatory or school of performance, art, or music within a university setting. Flexibility and the ability to pursue more than one area of focused study are likely the most common descriptors used to describe the advantage the liberal arts model can provide.

If you are a dancer or an actor at Barnard, classes will have individual level assessments or class/production auditions at the start of the term. Students who wish to pursue creative writing classes may do so even if they are not English majors, but they may need to submit a writing sample to be considered for these courses and then must apply to the concentration. Prospective architecture majors do not need to submit a portfolio, but will take studio classes as a major, allowing them to build an excellent one and be prepared for some of the best graduate programs.  Finally, prospective music majors will have the opportunity to take lessons (offered at Barnard and Columbia) and will audition for these during the first few weeks of classes. Ask us more about the opportunities available through our lesson exchange with the Juilliard School and our cross registration program with the Manhattan School of Music.

Students in the arts at Barnard also have very rich opportunities for involvement in artistic communities outside of the academic departments.  Nearly a dozen theatre groups, about the same number of a cappella groups, dozens of other musical groups, dance organizations, etc. are available to all Barnard students to join. And, most of these are open to all students at the University. So, the arts are alive and well at Barnard.

Dance, Theatre, Music, Architecture, English (and Creative Writing), Art History (and Visual Arts)

College Fairs: Some advice Part 2

'Tis the season for college fairs for both juniors and seniors. We've even seen some sophomores and first years attending these programs over the last few weeks, so it's not too early to begin your exploration or too late to conduct some research.  College Fairs are an opportunity to meet a representative from colleges you are considering and even learn about a few new ones.  Some tips may help you get the most of your fair:

1) Be strategic.  If you can get a list of the colleges who will be attending the fair in advance, you can focus your attention first on those colleges that are already on your potential list of colleges.  Look over your notes/spreadsheet/calendar/naviance comments and see if you have questions that might be best answered by a live staff member or alumna.

2) Use your time wisely.  On occasion, we get students who are clearly going up to every table to ask if they have a particular major (like nursing, fashion design, criminology) that most liberal arts colleges will not have.  A quick search on a tool like this one, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ might help to narrow or broaden your list.

3) Keep an open mind.  Especially if you are at the start of your college process, you will encounter many colleges that don't ring a bell when you hear their names the first time.  This doesn't mean that they are not awfully good colleges and ones that may merit your consideration. After all, popularity or selectivity aren't the best indicators for great fit. Ask your counselor for some suggestions to aid in your exploration.

4) Take the reins.  We can't tell you how many times we see students deferring to their parents when it comes time to ask questions at college fairs.  It's okay for you to both ask questions and for them to have different questions sometimes.  However, it is also really important for you to flex your inquiry muscles and open your own line of questioning.  No question is a bad one.

Should I apply Early Decision or Regular Decision?

Pumpkin spice lattes have made their annual reappearance. K-Mart has lined its shelves with the latest assortment of pirate and witch costumes. You know what this means: we are inching closer and closer to this year's new Early Decision deadline: November 1st.

As you may know already, Barnard offers two application deadlines: November 1st for Early Decision (ED) and January 1st for Regular Decision (RD). The key difference between the two is that ED is a binding commitment: if you're admitted, you are expected to come to Barnard. The benefit of ED is that you receive your decision - and therefore determine your future plans - by mid-December of your senior year. The benefit of RD is that you get some extra time to "play the field" and think about which college is really the best fit for you.

In other words, RD is dating. ED is marriage.

So how do you decide which of these plans is right for you?? When making the ED versus RD choice, there are two major factors to consider:

Finances
Are you applying for financial aid? If so, you should make sure to understand Barnard's financial aid policy before making the commitment of ED. For instance, it's important to know that, while our financial aid packages meet 100% of demonstrated financial need, we do not offer merit-based scholarships. So it's crucial to have an idea as to whether or not your family will qualify for need-based aid and, if not, how they will make the cost work.

It's worth taking an evening to plug some thoughtful, well-informed financial data into our Net Price Calculator, which will spit out an estimate of what you can expect to pay, given the financial aid package you would receive at Barnard. If, after this exercise, you feel like you need to compare our final financial aid package with schools, especially those that offer merit-based scholarships, then ED is not the right fit for you.

Love
Aside from finances, it all boils down to one question: will you be happier within Barnard's gates than at any other college? If you have done your research on Barnard, have thought about what you would decide on 5/1, should you apply and be admitted to all colleges on your list, and the answer to this question is still yes, *and* you have worked through the finances (see above), then go for it! It sounds like ED is perfect for you.

If there is any doubt in your mind about attending Barnard - maybe there is another college equally high on your list, or maybe you just haven't finished doing your research about us yet - then it doesn't make sense to make the commitment of ED. Barnard is a complex place and, for some students, it can take time to understand and fall in love. If you're not there yet, then give yourself the freedom of RD. We're confident you'll come around by January 1st.

Scheduling an on-campus interview!

By far the most common question we receive during this time of year is how to request an interview. So how exactly does one go about scheduling one? The process is actually quite simple, and having and scheduling an interview isn’t as daunting as one might think. First, there are 3 types of interviews:

1. an on-campus interview with a Senior Interviewer – this means you will interview with a Barnard senior who has undergone extensive training with the Admissions team.
2. an off-campus interview with a Barnard alumna in your area – this means that you will interview with an alumna in your area who has also undergone extensive training with the Admissions team (more information on that can be found in the previous blog post regarding how to request an alumnae interview!)
3. a Skype interview – this option is only available when it isn’t possible for a prospective applicant to be matched up with an alumna in her area, or for her to come to campus for an interview. What then happens is that we will work with you to figure out the best time to have a Skype interview with one of the Senior Interviewers during the regular interview slots.

Interviews are an optional part of the first-year application process, and the three different interview options are given the same amount of consideration. For the purposes of this post, however, we will focus only on how to schedule the on-campus interview process.  To schedule an on-campus interview, you will call the Office of Admissions at 212-854-2014, Monday – Friday, between the hours of 9 AM – 5 PM EST. Our weekday interview slots are Monday – Friday at 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 4:00 PM. We also offer weekend interviews on select weekends throughout the fall (and the dates are available on our website). 

When you have a set date and time in mind, you should call the Office of Admissions to book your interview. If your preferred slot is already filled, then you may request another slot (and unfortunately, there is no waiting list for a specific day and/or time slot). Once your interview is booked, you will receive a confirmation email two weeks before your interview, with instructions on where to go and how to get here. You do not need to bring anything with you to your interview – just yourself!

Interviews are your chance to truly connect with us on a personal level and add another dimension to your application. Do not be nervous – it is your opportunity to make us see just how dynamic and well-rounded you are!