Barnard College (International Students) - Overview
An Environment for Education
Barnard College, an all-women's college located in New York City, was established in 1869 as one of the 1st colleges to offer young women the prospect of earning college degrees. Since 1900, the college has partnered with Columbia University under an agreement unique in the world of higher education, allowing Barnard students access to the courses, libraries, and facilities of Columbia. Students receive their degrees from Columbia, yet Barnard College is an independent college and maintains its own Board of Trustees, campus, curriculum, faculty, staff, and admissions process.
Although it is located in New York City, one of the largest and most culturally diverse cities in the world, Barnard College retains the feel of a small and personal campus. Morningside Heights, the neighborhood in which the college is situated, is surrounded by colleges and other institutes of learning, including Columbia University, the Manhattan School of Music, Teachers College, Bank Street College of Education, Union Theological Seminary, and Jewish Theological Seminary.
Barnard College offers international students an opportunity to gain a quality education from an institution ranked among the top 30 liberal arts colleges by "US News and World Report." The school's holistic approach to education provides students with a wide variety of classes in the humanities, sciences, languages, social sciences, and the arts.
In addition to classes at Columbia University, students can also take courses at the nearby Jewish Theological Seminary, Juilliard School, and Manhattan School of Music.
Barnard College Provides Opportunities for International Students
Barnard College provides a unique environment for international students seeking to gain a quality liberal arts education in a supportive community. Approximately 4 percent of Barnard students hail from over 40 foreign countries.
An international student adviser is available to provide support and answers for international students at any time throughout their enrollment at Barnard College, and each semester, international deans meet with students to discuss evolving federal regulations regarding their status as international students.
International students are encouraged to participate in the Multicultural and International Students Association (MISA), a group comprised of students from foreign countries who gather to share concerns, experiences, and activities. In addition, Columbia University's International Student and Scholars Office sponsors programs throughout the year that are open to Barnard international students.
Barnard College is committed to promoting a culture of diversity and providing a community where all voices can be heard. The college understands that an education is more than what is learned from books and in classrooms and seeks a cultural vibrancy that embraces the differences of its student body in order to create the leaders of tomorrow.
A Wide Range of Liberal Arts Majors
Students graduate from Barnard College with a Bachelor of Arts (AB) degree, and can choose from over 50 majors. The college provides a broad array of natural and social science majors, including anthropology, biochemistry, biological studies, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, economics, history, mathematics, neuroscience and behavior, physics and astronomy, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, and statistics.
Degrees in the humanities include Africana studies, American studies, ancient studies, Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, classics (Greek and Latin), education, foreign area studies, French, German, human rights studies, Italian, Jewish studies, Medieval and Renaissance studies, religion, Slavic studies, Spanish and Latin American cultures, urban studies, and women's studies.
Art majors include architecture, art history, comparative literature, dance, English, film studies, music, and theatre.
Specialty Degree Opportunities
Barnard College students also can participate in double and joint degree programs from both Barnard and other schools affiliated within the Columbia University system.
Science and engineering students can earn both AB and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees in a 5-year program (3-2) with Columbia's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science.
The 5-year AB and Master in International Affairs (MIA) program allows students to earn their master's degrees from Columbia's School of International Affairs and another 5-year option gives students chances to earn AB and Master of Public Administration (MPA) degrees.
Juniors judged to be outstanding candidates can be granted early enrollment into Columbia University's School of Law or School of Oral and Dental Surgery.
Outside the university, a student can earn both an AB degree and a Master of Music (MM) in a 5-year program with the Juilliard School, and an AB degree from Barnard and a BA in Hebrew Literature through an agreement with List College of the Jewish Theological Seminary.
Faculty and Class Size
The faculty at Barnard College is dedicated to providing their students with a unique and lasting educational experience, and many have been recognized for contributions to their respective fields. They include editors of leading scholarly journals; prize-winning novelists and translators; and frequent winners of awards from respected foundations, corporations, and government agencies, including the National Science Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Barnard College employs 319 teaching faculty members, and the student to faculty member ratio is 10:1. Although class sizes may vary, the average size is usually about 21 students per class, which provides students with an opportunity for personal interaction with instructors.
International Student Housing
All students, including international students, are encouraged to live on campus during their first years at Barnard College. Students are assigned to one of the 4 residence halls in rooms that have either double, triple, or 4-bed occupancies.
Following the freshmen year, approximately 90 percent of Barnard students continue to live on campus in any of the 11 Barnard residence halls or 4 Columbia residence halls. These facilities include suites and apartments. All residence halls have modern security systems and 24-hour desk coverage when classes are in session.
International Student Admissions and TOEFL Requirements
All international students should do the following: apply for admission to Barnard College using the Common Application, provide a copy of their high school transcript translated into English, and provide SAT score results.
If English is not a student's native language, he or she is required to take the TOEFL. TOEFL scores for recent accepted applicants ranged from 100 to 117.