Barnard and Columbia Women

Lucia wrote in with a great question and I thought I would use this post to respond. She wrote,

"Hi Anna! I love Barnard but I'm still feeling a little unsure. Can you comment on the relationship between Barnard and Columbia? From what I've heard, Columbia women tend to look down on Barnard students..."

Hi Lucia. Your question is not uncommon. When I was a prospective student, I also had heard rumors about tension between Barnard women and Columbia women. My experience here has been the opposite. I have friends who are women that go to Columbia in my classes, extra-curricular groups, and social circles. I have never felt tense or inferior to them because I am a Barnard student. I feel that they are my peers, classmates and friends. But let me step back a bit and talk about the general relationship between Barnard and Columbia.

Officially, Barnard College is partnered with Columbia University. This means that while we have our own endowment and Board of Trustees, and we hire our own faculty members, we share facilities and a degree with Columbia. So, if you graduate from Barnard, your degree will say Barnard College of Columbia University on it. How does this translate into everyday life? Essentially all clubs, organizations, and classes are open to all students. For as many Barnard students that take classes at Columbia, Columbia students take classes at Barnard.

I think that perhaps if the schools were less integrated, there may be more tension between Barnard and Columbia students. But because you are in classes and clubs with students from both sides of the street (and you can’t tell who is a Columbia or Barnard student unless they are male, or they tell you), you will realize quite quickly that Barnard students get top grades in all classes, as do Columbia students. Your classmate from Barnard and Columbia will be more concerned with trying to complete all the readings for class, or finding the time to study for your midterm while going out to a sweet concert, rather than if someone is from Barnard or Columbia.

You will stay up late with your study group composed of Barnard and Columbia students one night and stay up late partying with a similar group the next. I understand the concern, especially because I know there are rumors out there. But, and I can safely speak for myself and my close friends here, the rumors are not true. Students and professors at both Barnard and Columbia don’t really care about who goes to Barnard or Columbia. There are much more important and interesting things to spend your time on here. I hope this helps. If you have any more questions, please right in. I promise to respond more quickly!