Main navigation
- Programs
- Subjects
- Universities
- Destinations
- Advice
The American Studies program enables students to examine the values and experiences of Americans through various cultural expressions, including history, literature, politics, and art. This curriculum equips students with historical perspective to address contemporary societal challenges. Leveraging Columbia's urban setting, the program connects students with New York City through initiatives like the Double Discovery Center for local high schoolers and by engaging prominent political and cultural figures in discussions and events. As an interdisciplinary initiative, it maintains adaptability while pursuing the goal of providing a well-rounded education that fosters engaged citizenship.
The Committee on Admissions selects women of proven academic strength who exhibit intellectual voracity and strong potential for further scholarly growth. In addition to school records, recommendations, writing, and test scores, we carefully consider candidates' talents, abilities, interests, and personal history. While admission is highly selective, it is also holistic; no one criterion or score determines acceptance. We consider each applicant in terms of her personal qualities, her intellectual capacity, and the rigor of the curriculum she has pursued, as well as her potential for achieving at Barnard. We review each applicant in the context of her school, community, and individual story.
Barnard's general education requirements cover a wide range of subjects: literature, the social sciences, language and the arts, lab sciences, and quantitative areas. For this reason, you should acquire a strong foundation in high school, taking courses from the core academic subjects: math, science, English, history, and foreign language.
English Language Requirements
Applicant must have IELTS score of 7.0 or higher or TOEFL score of 600 or above on the written test, and 100 or above for the Internet-based test.