BARNARD COLLEGE

BARNARD COLLEGE

3009 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY 10027. ADMISSIONS: 212-854-2014 FAX: 212-854-6220
FINANCIAL AID: 212-854-2154 E-MAIL: ADMISSIONS@BARNARD.EDU WEBSITE: WWW.BARNARD.EDU

STUDENTS SAY

Academics

Barnard College, the all-women liberal arts school associated with Coluj University, “offers students the best of both worlds: The seclusion and infix of a small liberal arts college within a tremendous research university and of the greatest cities in the world.” Women here explain that “because Barna students have complete cross registration privileges at Columbia, full access all of its resources and libraries, and upon graduation receive a degree from university, we enjoy the full benefits of an Ivy League education, without punishment of having to take Columbia’s core curriculum, pass a swim test, eat at the lousy Columbia dining room.” Students here also get more of small-college experience than do their Columbia peers; one student expla “While the Columbia professors can be arrogant and pompous, most of Barnard professors are really nice, down-to-earth people.” Administrators “unequivocally dedicated to finding rapid, individualized solutions to s dents’ problems.” Because the school is in New York City, “There are amaz opportunities here; the city really is our learning lab!” In short, “Barnard is r ly great as a small school to act as your home base. From here, you can expl the university and the city as much as you want. You have to take the initiati but if you do, you can find a way to do anything you want. And Barnard is supportive, you’ll be able to find someone on campus who’s willing to help.”

Life

“Life at school is dominated by studies.” Undergraduates agree that “most s dents here spend at least 60 percent of their week on schoolwork.” Still, to degree allowed by their academic workload, “Most undergraduates make a c scious effort to take advantage of NYC through internships, nightlife, muse and exhibits. Many of us love to just spend an afternoon walking dots Broadway and shopping.” The campus is a magnet for high-powered speak and prestigious events; one student reports, “There are always raffles or Icc going on that are highly attended. In the past year, Janeane Carofalo, Jo Edwards, Anna Quindlen, and Alice Walker have spoken on campus, to name few.” Barnard is located in Morningside Heights, “a neighborhood that thriv very much on the college community.” Students here miss out a bit on the c sic college experience, but they don’t mind; one undergrad explains, “Ba feels that since we are in the city they don’t need to create a community for Therefore, occasionally I feel like I’m just living in the city and taking classes. It’ definitely worth it, though, and my friends and I make our own college touch Women here also warn that “Barnard’s facilities could use drastic remodelin With the exception of a few recently renovated lecture spaces, the classrooms in need of major technological and aesthetic updates. New resident halls need be built because many of the existing buildings are too old.”

Student Body

Barnard, like its hometown, is a magnet for the idiosyncratic. One stud explains, “New York is a place that allows people to be anyone they want to You can wear a zebra-striped bikini in the middle of winter on a snow-cove street here and people would hardly look twice. . . because we go to school such an eclectic place, I don’t think it’s possible to describe a ‘typical’ Barna student.” Some here try all the same; they tell us that Barnard students a “driven, intelligent, cosmopolitan young women who come from every corn of the country and throughout the world, from different socioeconomic back grounds, and varying life experiences.” Because of a dual degree program wi the Jewish Theological Seminary “there are many Orthodox Jews here” wh “typically socialize only with other Orthodox Jews.” There’s also a large, le insular Asian population. There are “many feminists and lesbians, too, but fewer than one might expect.”

ADMISSIONS

Very important factors considered include: Academic CPA, application essay, character/personal qualities, extracurricular activities, recommendation(s), rigor of secondary school record. Important factors considered include: Class rank, standardized test scores, talent/ability volunteer work. Other factors considered include: Alun-ini/ae relation, first generation, geographical residence, interview 1 level of applicant’s interest, racial/ethnic status, work experience. SAT and SAT Subject Tests or ACT required; ACT with Writing component required. TOEFL required of all international applicants. High school diploma or equivalent is not required. Academic units recommended: 4 English, 3 math, 3 science (2 science labs), 3 foreign language, 3 history.

The Inside Word

As at many top colleges, early decision applications have increased at Barnard—although the admissions standards are virtually the same as for their regular admissions cycle. The college’s Admissions Staff is open and accessible, which is not always the case at highly selective colleges with as long and impressive a tradition of excellence. The Admissions Committee’s expectations are high, but their attitude reflects a true interest in who you are and what’s on your mind. Students have a much better experience throughout the admissions process when treated with sincerity and respect—perhaps this is why Barnard continues to attract and enroll some of the best students in the country

FINANCIAL AID

Students should submit: FAFSA, CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE, Noncustodial PROFILE, institution’s own financial aid form, state aid form, Business/Farm Supplement, parent’s individual, corporate, and/or partnership federal income tax returns, Regular filing deadline is February 1. The Princeton Review suggests that all financial aid forms be submitted as soon as possible after January 1. Need-based scholarships/rants offered: Pell Crant, SEOC, state scholarships/grants, private scholarships, the school’s own gift aid. Loan aid offered: FFEL Subsidized Stafford, FFEL Unsubsidized Stafford, FFEL PLUS, Federal Perkins Loan, state loans, college/university loans from institutional funds. Applicants will be notified of awards on or about March 31.

FROM THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE

“Barnard College is a small, distinguished liberal arts college for women that is affiliated with Columbia University and located in the heart of New York City. The college enrolls women from all over the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean. More than 30 countries, including France, England, Hong Kong, and Creece, are also represented in the student body. Students pursue their academic studies in over 40 majors and are able to cross register at Columbia University.
“Applicants for the Fall 2008 entering class must submit scores from the SAT Reasoning Test and two SAT Subject Tests of their choice, or the ACT with the Writing component.

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BARD COLLEGE

BARD COLLEGE

OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS, ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, NY 12504 • ADMISSIONS: 845-758-7472 • FAX: 845-758-5208
FINANCIAL AID: 845-758-7526 • E-MAIL: AOMISSION@BARD.EDU • WEBSUUE: WWW.BARD.EDU

STUDENTS SAY

Academics

Bard College, a small school that excels in the liberal and fine arts, takes “progressive approach” to academics, allowing students “the opportunity control your own education and learn more than you would at most other ac demit institutions.” It doesn’t make for a walk in the park, though; studies claim that the workload can get heavy, “But if you’re passionate about you classes, as most people here are, time often goes quickly as you study. This not the place for anyone who is not intellectually motivated.” A “relaxed, pr sure-free environment” makes Bard “a great place to learn” and takes some the stress out of the hard work, as do the “great professors, who are passion ate about the subjects they teach and have often just written a book about material in a class they are currently teaching.” Bard doesn’t do as much hand holding as do comparable liberal arts schools; here “The academics rely heavily on the motivation of the individual student,” although “Once you beg coming up with your own special projects and supplementing the recuing reading, professors bend over backward to help you.” The relaxed atrophic does have its downside, though; students claim that “things are extremely d orgaited, and you can easily find yourself being told five different thin from five different people.”

Life

“People are really involved, both inside and outside of the classroom” at Bar where “There is a really active club life. We have everything from U International Student Organization to the Surrealist Training Circus and U Children’s Expressive Arts Project. There are always dance, theater, music, ax art events every weekend,” and “The shows are really popular, both those the axe student-run and those put on by professionals.” Bard undergrads al indulge in” a lot of after-hours discussion about what we’re all doing in class My friends and I talk about experiments, theories, literature, and various api tic/scientific installations.” The Bard campus “is gorgeous, so some people take advantage of amazing hiking and outdoor sports. Other people enjoy( Blythewood, a hill that overlooks the Catskills, in a more passive fashion, so bathing or lounging with friends.” Students tell us that they “always feel as here, even walking in the middle of the night.” Bard’s party scene is primary confined to weekends; one student explains, “People party a lot on the wee ends but during the week everyone seems to be working.” The quaint towns the surround Bard appeal to some, but many prefer “the 2-hour train ride to Ne York City. It’s convenient when you have nothing else to do on the weekend.’

Student Body

“Hippies, hipsters, and geek chic” are common sights on the Bard campus, are “people who have that ‘I’m on the cutting edge of underground fashion look.” However, while Bard might appear to be “all about fight designer jeans indie rock, and everything else NYC or LA,” the reality is “There are really lot of normal college kids here—people seem to think everyone here was social outcast in high school, but most people here are friendly, social, an pretty normal (although certainly a bit cerebral).” Undergrads tend to b “politically conscious and left-wing-activist types.” One student notes, “F you’re uncreative or conservative you probably wouldn’t fit in. Other than that just about anything works.” Another agrees, “A large percentage of people an extremely talented and creative and express themselves best through creativi writing, music, art, dance, or theater.” In short, Bard is about “a lot of kid being different together.”

ADMISSIONS

Very important factors considered include: Academic CPA, application essay, character/personal qualities, extracurricular activities, recommendation(s), rigor of cindery school record, talent/ability. Important factors considered include:
volunteer work, work experience. Other factors considered include: Alumni/ae diction, class rank, first generation, geographical residence, interview, level of applicant’s interest, racial/ethnic status, religious affiliation/commitment, andradite test scores, state residency. TOEFL required of all international applicants. High school diploma is required, and GED is accepted. Academic nits recommended: 4 English, 4 math, 4 science (3 science labs), 4 foreign language, 4 social studies, 4 history.

The Inside Word

because Bard boasts healthy application numbers, it is in a position to concentrate on matchmaking. To that end, Admissions Officers seek students with dependent and inquisitive spirits. Applicants who exhibit academic ambit while extending their intellectual curiosity beyond the realm of the classroom are particularly appealing. Successful candidates typically have several honors and Advanced Placement courses on their transcripts, as well as strong titers of recommendation and well-written personal statements.

FINANCIAL AID

Students should submit: FAFSA, CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE, state aid form, business/Farm Supplement. Regular filing deadline is February 15. The rinceton Review suggests that all financial aid forms be submitted as soon as possible after January 1. Need-bused scholarships/grants offered: Pelt Grant, SEOG, late scholarships/grants, private scholarships, the school’s own gift aid. Loan 11 offered: FEEL Subsidized Stafford, FEEL Unsubsidized Stafford, FEEL PLUS, èderal Perkins Loan, college loans from institutional funds (for international ludents only). Applicants will be notified of awards on or about April 1.

FROM THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE

alliance with Rockefeller University, the renowned graduate scientific ?arch institution, gives Bardians access to Rockefeller’s professors and lab- tories and to places in Rockefeller’s Summer Research Fellows Program. nost all our math and science graduates pursue graduate or professional dies; 90 percent of our applicants to medical and health professional schools accepted. le Globalization and International Affairs (BGTA) Program is a residential gram in the heart of New York City that offers undergraduates a unique ortunity to undertake specialized study with leading practitioners and olars in international affairs and to gain internship experience with ?rnational-affairs organizations. Topics in the curriculum include human its, international economics, global environmental issues, international jusmanaging international risk, and writing on international affairs, among ers. Internships/tutorials are tailored to students’ particular fields of study.
udent dormitory and classroom facilities are in Bard Hall, 410 West Fiftyith Street, a newly renovated H -story building near the Lincoln Center trict in New York City.
sd College does not require SAT scores, new or old, to be submitted for nissions consideration. Students may choose to submit scores, and, if sub- ted, we will consider them in the context of the overall application.”

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ALFRED UNIVERSITY

ALFRED UNIVERSITY

ALUMNI HALL, ONE SAXON DRIVE, ALFRED, NY 14802-1205 • ADMISSIONS: 607-871-2115 • FAX: 607-871-2198
FINANCIAL AID: 607-871-2159 • E-MML: ADMWWW@ALFRED.EDU • WEESITE: WWW.ALFRED.EDU

STUDENTS SAY

Academics

Alfred University is” a small school with a big heart.” The School of Engineerin and the School of Art and Design receive state ftinding, resulting in reduced tuition for both New Yorkers and out-of-state students (although state residenb receive a larger discount for the art school). Not surprisingly, Alfred is “known’ for its “great financial aid.” The School of Engineering is famous for its “ye9 strong” glass and ceramics program (in fact Alfred’s one of the few schools in th nation offering a degree in ceramic engineering). Students are also drawn to th business and English departments. Alfred provides a cozy community that stu dents, professors, and administrators enjoy. One student says, “There is excellen interaction between students and professors; and with small classes, the facu1t can devote more tune to each individual student.” Alfred is the kind of plao where “about half our professors, maybe more, want to go by first name.” Al agree that “professors know very much about what they are teaching” and “read out to students,” making them “very approachable.” Another student reports “Within a few months of being here, I had met the President of the university ant the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. I am now on a first-name basis with th1 President and the Dean of Students. I babysit the Dean of Students’ kids.” N wonder students tell us that “the level of personal connection here, all across th board, is exceptional.”

Life

Small-town life can be a rough go for college students, especially in the wintry landscape of upstate New York, but fortunately “Alfred provides desperately needed entertainment. The school seems to realize that its position in the world (an hour away from civilization) requires some extra effort as far as keeping the students from going stir-crazy, and they really pull through.” The school “is really good about bringing different performers and movies into town every weekend,” while “art shows, visiting lecturers in every division,” and “over 100 clubs and activities” help round out the schedule. That said, there are some who wish that “outside businesses” could be “brought in” to give students something “to do off campus.” But why go off campus when all you need is snow? “Traying, or stealing dining hail trays and riding them down the dangerously steep hill between upper and lower campus, is a perennial favorite. I’ve seen [people do it in thej nude, in subzero weather too,” a student says. Another adds that though “Alfred is a small town ... if you’re not a boring person you won’t be bored on campus.” Students with cars remind us that “within [a] 30 to 60 minute [drive] . . . are most of the major entertainments you could want—movies, a mall or two, bowling, places to volunteer if you’re so inclined, restaurants, and places to cut loose and dance.”

Student Body

At Alfred University, students tell us, “The typical student is atypical. A lot of students are artsy and into alternative things. But there are a lot [of] sporty types too.” Art does get a lot of mentions around campus. As one student explains, “AU is artistic, or at least appreciative of the arts.” “Minorities and LGBT kids are well- represented on campus and in campus leadership positions,” and “There’s even peaceful coexisting with (neighboring) Alfred State. We rib them, and they prob ably rib us, but we have Alfred State kids in some of our extracurricular groups, and until I was told they weren’t Alfred University kids, I would never have known the difference.” All in all, “Diversity works so well on this campus” thanks to a population of “friendly” and “hardworking” students.

ADMISSIONS

Very important factors considered include; Character/persona] qualities, class rank, extracurricular activities, recommendation(s), rigor of secondary school record. Important factors considered include: Application essay, standardized test scores, volunteer work, work experience. Other factors considered include: Interview, racial/ethnic status, talent/ability. SAT or ACT required; ACT with Writing component required. TOEFL required of all international applicants. High school diploma is required. and GED is accepted. Academic units required: 4 English, 2 math, 2 science (2 science labs), 2 social studies. Academic units recommended: 4 math, 3 science (3 science labs), 3 social studies.

The Inside Word

Alfred is renowned for its high quality of academics and its focus on the arts— yet the university’s general lack of name recognition and relatively isolated campus has always affected both the applicant pool and number of admitted students who enroll, meaning that selectivity was relatively low for a school of its calibet Now, thanks to Marlin Miller’s $35 million donation given to support the school’s visual and performing arts programs—one of the largest endowments ever given for arts education—expect Alfred’s stature in the national academic community to grow exponentially.

FINANCIAL AID

Students should submit: FAFSA, institution’s own financial aid form, state aid form, Noncustodial PROFILE, Business/Farm Supplement. The Princeton Review suggests that all financial aid forms be submitted as soon as possible after January 1. Need-based scholarships/grants offered: Pell Grant, SEOG, state scholarships/grants, private scholarships, the school’s own gift aid. Loan aid offered: FFEL Subsidized Stafford, FFEL Unsubsidized Stafford, FFEL PLUS, Federal Perkins Loan, college/university loans from institutional funds, private alternative loans. Applicants will be notified of awards on a rolling basis beginning or about February 15. Federal Work-Study Program available. Institutional employment available. Off-campus job opportunities are poor.

FROM THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE

“The admissions process at Alfred University is the foundation for the personal attention that a student can expect from this institution. Bath applicant is evaluated individualiy and can expect genuine, personal attention at Alfred University.

“Alfred University requires that freshman applicants for Fall 2008 submit scores from either the new SAT or the ACT (with Writing component).”

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