Q:
What do you look for when evaluating an international student’s
application?
A: When Barnard College reviews applications, our
admissions officers look at the full picture presented by
your application materials. There is no certain element
of the application that will outweigh all the others. Our
goal is to enroll a class of qualified, diverse, and motivated
young women who will be equipped to make the most of a unique
and wonderful Barnard education experience.
- We
look for a balanced high school transcript that demonstrates
successful and progressively rigorous study in five core
areas: English, Mathematics, Sciences, Social Sciences
or History, and Foreign Language.
- We
recommend that you submit letters of reference from the
teachers within these five core areas who are most familiar
with your writing, analytical, and quantitative abilities.
(Remember that these must have been your teachers during
your junior or senior year of high school.)
- We
carefully read your Common Application essay and Barnard
Supplement responses to assess your ability to address
complex topics and present your ideas in clear, concise,
and grammatically correct English. We like to be able
to get a sense of your personality, interests, and goals
through these essays, and encourage you to help us get
to know you better through your writing.
- We
evaluate your standardized test scores in the context
of your complete application. You will neither be admitted
nor denied admission based solely on standardized test
scores.
Q:
How is the SAT or ACT score evaluated for international
applicants?
A: We understand that international students may
not have the same opportunities for practice or training
on how to take standardized tests like the SAT or ACT, and
we keep this in mind when evaluating the test scores of
international applicants. Test scores are just one element
of the total application and while useful for putting the
student’s overall academic performance and preparation
in context, they are not the portion of the application
that we weigh most heavily. No student, international or
domestic, is admitted (or rejected) based on standardized
test scores.
Q:
How is the GPA evaluated for international students? Do
you also consider final year examinations?
A: While we do not require that you do so, along
with the other application materials you are welcome to
submit scores from any school examinations taken at the
end of your senior year. These will be evaluated along with
the rest of your materials.
Q:
Overall, what does Barnard College look for in a successful
international applicant?
A: Barnard looks for students who show strong intellectual
development and successful completion of a rigorous high
school program. A student is never admitted (or rejected)
based on a single application factor. Rather, decisions
are based on a careful reading of your entire application
and a review of the materials by the entire admissions committee.
Ours is a very competitive group of applicants, and in recent
years Barnard College has admitted approximately 20 percent
of the international students who applied. The average international
citizen who was admitted in the last application pool had
GPAs and SAT/TOEFL scores in the following ranges:
SAT Reasoning
|
SAT Math
|
SAT Writing
|
TOEFL
|
GPA
|
600-700
|
640-710
|
610-710
|
100-117
|
3.6-4.0
|
Q:
What does a “liberal arts education” mean? Can
I study math and sciences, too?
A: In the United States education system, the term
“liberal arts” incorporates humanities, sciences,
languages, social sciences, and the arts. This system is based on the belief
that a holistic approach to education, one that exposes
students to a wide variety of classes to develop critical
thinking, as well as oral and written communication skills,
will prepare a student to excel in whatever career path
she may choose.
A typical
liberal arts curriculum will require that students take
classes in the following areas: physical science, mathematics,
language, history, culture, literature, ethics, social analysis, and the
traditional arts. After exploring these diverse areas, one
selects a specialization (the ‘major’)—approximately
one-third of the total number of courses taken will focus on
this topic of key interest.
Students
at Barnard College can choose from among 47 different majors,
including several in the sciences, math, and economics. All students will graduate with a Bachelor’s
of Arts degree in their chosen major. Click
here to read more about the liberal arts at Barnard
College.
Q: What are some of the unique aspects of the United States
education system?
A: The US education system is very flexible, making
it attractive to students who want to pursue more than one
topic of study, or who want to explore different paths before
choosing a career. Students have a large number of different
courses to choose from and can even create their own unique
program of study.
One key difference between “western” and “eastern”
education styles is the emphasis in western education on
participation in class discussion. Students are often expected
to demonstrate their preparation for class and understanding
of the material by joining in a discussion of the facts
or themes addressed by the course materials. It is important
to note that, very often, “class participation”
is an element of the class on which students are evaluated
when it comes time to assign grades.
Another
important difference to note about the US education system
is the emphasis on critical thinking and independent analysis
of course material. Students are encouraged to evaluate
the lessons they learn by applying their own knowledge and
experience, and are welcomed to share a differing opinion
during class discussion—even if it is in disagreement
with the professor or with the material being discussed.
Further, when producing written work for class, including
exam essays, term papers, and similar assignments, students
are required submit only their own analysis, rather than
repeating what has been written by the profess or other
experts. While it is common in many other education systems
for students to copy the writings of experts in their homework
or term papers, doing so violates US education policy. The
act of using another person’s intellectual work without
properly giving credit to the original author is called
‘plagiarism’ and is strictly forbidden at all
US colleges and universities. Violating plagiarism policies
carries severe punishments, including possible expulsion
from the institution, so students should make a careful
effort to be aware of and understand their school’s
policies.
At Barnard
College we understand that these and other important differences
between US and other education styles often can be confusing
for international students. We have extensive advising available
for international students to specifically address topics
like class participation, developing critical thinking skills,
learning how to interact with professors in the classroom,
plagiarism, and much more. Faculty members, advisors, and
peers are always available to help new students adapt to
life and study in the United States so that each student
can benefit fully from the many opportunities Barnard College
offers.
Q:
What is the difference between a college and a university?
A: Generally, a “college” is a post-secondary
institution that offers only undergraduate study, while
a “university” offers both undergraduate and
graduate degrees. A student can only enter college, except
in rare instances, after she has completed her high school
education and received a diploma. One key benefit to attending
a college, versus a university, is that the entire focus
of the curriculum and attention of the professors will be
devoted to undergraduate students. Competition for valuable
research projects, teaching assistantships, and other opportunities
will not be intensified by the presence of graduate students
who commonly possess more experience.
You can find additional general information about studying
and life as a student in the United States by visiting the EducationUSA
website.
