Q:
Am
I an
international applicant?
A:
Barnard considers you an international applicant to the
College if you are neither a U.S. citizen nor a
U.S. permanent resident, regardless
of where in the world you live. In short, any applicant
who holds a U.S.
passport is considered to be a domestic student. All others are considered international
applicants. We acknowledge that students who also live
abroad and hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency may have
different education experiences from their peers who studied
in the U.S. , and we
keep that in mind as we review applications.
We also recognize and value the fact that international
applicants, regardless of citizenship, have much to offer
from their backgrounds and experiences as global citizens.
Q: As an international applicant, do I need to submit a separate
application?
A: International applicants
submit the same application materials as domestic students. Barnard uses the
Common Application and a Barnard Supplement, both of which can be downloaded here. Click
here for information about other required documents for international
applicants.
Q:
What standardized tests do you require of international applicants?
A: All applicants
must submit results from the SAT I Reasoning Test
and two SAT II Subject Tests of your choice OR results from the ACT with writing
component. Applicants whose primary language is not English and who have studied
in a non-English language based school for less than five years must also
take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and submit those scores
as well.
Q:
I am a student in mainland China, where the SAT is not offered. Can this requirement
be waived?
A: If you are able
to travel to a country where the SAT is offered, we strongly recommend that
you do so to sit for the required testing. The SAT is offered in
Hong
Kong
. Click
here for more information regarding the SAT. The ACT is offered at several
sites in
China
. Click here for more information regarding the ACT. Please be in touch with our International
Admissions Coordinator, Laura Kaub, at
lkaub@barnard.edu if you are unable to submit any test results.
Q:
I am fluent in English. Am I still required to take the TOEFL?
A: If English is not
your primary language and you have not been studying in English for more than
five years, you are required to submit results from the TOEFL exam.
Q:
I am going to take A-Level exams at the end of this year. Do I still have
to take SAT Subject Tests?
A: Yes. A-Level results cannot serve as substitutes
for SAT Subject Tests. You must submit results from two SAT Subject Tests
of your choosing.
Q:
Do you offer interviews? What if I can’t come to your campus for an interview?
A: Interviews are
recommended but not required as part of our application process. If you choose
to have an interview, Barnard alumnae all over the world represent the Office
of Admissions and are available to conduct interviews. You may request
an interview online. If a trained Barnard alumna does not live near you,
we will try to offer you a telephone interview. You may be able to
arrange an interview when an Admissions counselor is visiting your area. Please
consult our list of fairs and school visits and be in touch with Laura
Kaub to try to set up an interview.
Q:
If my high school documents are not issued in English, can I submit translations?
A: If your documents
are not in English, the documents must be translated by a certified translator.
Both the original language documents and the certified translations must be
submitted by the appropriate deadline.
Q:
Is financial aid available for international citizens?
A:
Barnard’s financial aid program supports the College's
institutional priorities of access, quality, and diversity.
All Barnard aid is based on financial need and we are
committed to offering the College's educational opportunities
to as many students as possible.
Barnard College
has designated approximately three full need-based
scholarships for international students in each first-year
entering class. Applicants who wish to be considered for
aid must complete the Barnard College Financial Aid Application
and the College Board International Student Financial
Aid Application by February 1. Students who are not U.S.
citizens or U.S.
permanent residents are considered
international citizens. However, if your parents file a U.S. federal
income tax return, please complete the CSS PROFILE Application
instead of the College Board International Student Financial
Aid Application. Unfortunately, limited federal and state
aid funds restrict Barnard's ability to cover the need
of all eligible international applicants. Therefore, we
encourage international students to seek outside scholarship
support. Click here
for more information about applying for financial aid. Click here for some
links to external funding opportunities.
Q:
I attend a
United
World
College
. Do you offer
scholarships for students from this school?
A: UWC students bring
a wealth of experience from all over the world to the
Barnard
College
community. Through a unique partnership, any UWC graduate admitted to Barnard
with financial need will receive a scholarship of up to $10,000 provided by
the Shelby Davis Fund. Please note that UWC graduates will be evaluated for
need using the same guidelines as all other Barnard financial aid applicants.
Q:
Once I am admitted, how do I obtain a student visa?
A: Once you have confirmed
your intention to enroll, you will be asked to fill out an I-20 Request Form
and submit a number of financial documents. We will review these materials
and issue you an I-20 (the Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Students).
This is a formal
U.S.
government
document you need to present to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your home country
to be issued a student F-1 visa for study in the
U.S.
For more information about
the process to obtain your student visa once you are admitted, click here.
Q:
I am a student in an International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Do you recognize
the IB Diploma for advanced standing?
A: For the International
Baccalaureate diploma, the number of credits listed is granted, up to a maximum
of 30. Students who do not have the diploma will receive six (6) Barnard points
for each Higher Level examination score of five (5) or higher. Credit is granted at the end of the first year at
Barnard
College
. Click here for Barnard's full IB policy.
Q:
I will complete the French Baccalaureate. Do you recognize this diploma for
advanced standing?
A: Yes, the equivalent
of one year of Barnard credit is granted for students who complete the French
Baccalaureate. Credit is granted at
the end of the first year at
Barnard
College
.
Q:
I will take A-level British Examinations. Do you recognize these exams for
advanced standing?
A: Each A-level or
A2-level grade is individually evaluated for college credit. No credit is
given for O-level or AS-level examinations. Credit is granted at the end of the first year
at
Barnard
College
.
Q:
How international is Barnard’s Student body?
A: Approximately 4
percent of Barnard students are citizens of a country other than the
United States
.
However, many students at Barnard have lived or studied outside the
U.S.
prior to
their Barnard studies. In addition,
through the partnership with
Columbia
University
and the blended
academic and social environment Barnard students enjoy, a very diverse student
body and education experience is achieved.
Q:
How large are the classes at Barnard?
A: About 70 percent
of Barnard classes have fewer than 20 students. All Barnard classes are taught
by full Ph.D. faculty with the exception of laboratory classes. Most classes
are taught in discussion-based seminars.
Q:
What is the weather like in
New York
City
?
A:
New York
enjoys four distinct seasons: Fall
(September – November) temperatures range from 20°C (69°F) to -1°C (30°F).
Warm days are often followed by cooler evenings. Winter (December – February)
temperatures range from -1°C (30°F) to -13°C (8°F). It's not unusual to have
light snow on the ground with one or two larger snowfalls from January to
mid-March. Coats, gloves, and warm boots are essential. Spring (March – May)
temperatures range from 19°C (66°F) to -6°C (21°F). The cooler weather moves
into warmer days by mid-April, interspersed with spring rains. Summers (June – August) range from 32°C (90°F) to 12°C (54°F). Many students from warmer climates prefer to purchase appropriate clothing
and outerwear after they arrive in the
U.S.
, in preparation for winter weather
that may be colder than in their home countries. Click here to check current
New York City
weather and
review weather history.
Q:
What are your tuition and fees?
A: Tuition and fees
for the 2007-2008 academic year are:
Resident
Tuition and Fees: $35,190
Room and Board: $11,546
Books/Supplies: $1,112
Miscellaneous: $1,326
Total Basic Budget: $49,174 +
travel
|
Commuter
Tuition and Fees: $35,190
Lunches at College: $1,210
Books/Supplies: $1,112
Miscellaneous: $1,326
Total Basic Budget: $38,838 +
travel
|
Additional Expenses
Travel: All students
must pay for their transportation to the
United States
and to the College from
the airport. Funds are needed to cover living expenses during vacations when
Barnard is on break: Thanksgiving in November; winter vacation, December-January;
spring vacation in March; and the long summer vacation, mid-May through August.
Some students return home at their own expense during summer vacation. With
permission it is possible for students to remain on campus during breaks,
but services are limited during those periods.
Health Insurance: Every Barnard student is automatically enrolled for Basic Benefits in the
Student Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan (which is underwritten by the Gerber
Life Insurance Company). Students also can elect to enroll in the Optional
Supplemental Benefit Plan by filling out an enrollment form and mailing it
to the student insurance company. For more information, click here.
Q:
What are the living accommodations?
A: Housing at Barnard
is guaranteed for all four years and more than 90 percent of students live
in college housing. All first-year students live in the Quad, four connecting
buildings on the south end of campus. Upper-class students typically live
in suite-style rooms with several bedrooms. Residents share a kitchen, living
room, and bathroom with their roommates. All college housing is located within
a few blocks of the Barnard campus and all have 24-hour security, internet
access, and laundry facilities. Click here for a map of campus that
identifies the housing areas on and near campus.
Q:
I’d like to visit
Barnard
College
. How do I arrange for a visit?
A: We offer student-led
tours of the campus, open house programs throughout the year, and the opportunity
to spend the night, eat in a dining hall and sit in on a class. For more information
on visiting the campus, click here. We encourage international students who will
be visiting campus to contact our International Admissions Coordinator, Laura
Kaub . In addition, personal interviews are recommended but not required
for first-year applicants. You may also be able to arrange an interview when
an Admissions officer is visiting your area. Please consult our list of fairs and school visits and be in touch
with Laura Kaub to try to schedule
an interview. On-campus interviews are generally available for high-school
seniors Monday through Friday from June through mid-December. Weekend interviews
are available during the fall semester only. Please click here for more information.
Click here for other
questions that international applicants frequently ask
about how applications are assessed, about unique features
of studying in the
United States, and more.
