A Pre-Med Art History Major at Barnard

Name: Melanie Bryan

Year: 2012 (Alumna)

Major: Art History

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Current Location: Washington, DC

Clubs/Organizations: McIntosh Activities Council (McAC) Member, Committee Chair, Vice President; Barnard Student Admissions Representative; Senior Interviewer; Biology Lab TA; Health Educator with HEAL and Peer Health Exchange; Columbia Community Outreach Coordinator; Barnard Babysitter; A capella groupie

Last fall, when I found myself with unexpected vacation time due to the government shutdown, I took a bus from DC to New York.  The bus dropped me off at 34^th street near Penn Station, and I made my way to the red line for the first time in a year and a half.  Twenty-five minutes later I stood outside the Barnard gates, where my former roommate found me sobbing. Yep, it’s true. I was crying, and not dainty, delicate crying.  Like full-on, out-of-control, requiring-Kleenex crying. 

I graduated from Barnard in 2012 with a degree in Art History.  I am currently a post-baccalaureate research fellow at the National Institutes of Health in Washington, and will be starting medical school this August.  If this path seems incongruous with four years of Art History, you’re right, but that’s part of what’s great about Barnard.  If you are confused about why I was crying at the gates, spend some time exploring the blogs, talking to Barnard students and alums, or visiting campus.  Barnard is a unique place, and if it’s right for you (and if, like me, you have overactive tear-ducts), you may be right there with me in the years following your graduation.

 

I’ll be writing several blog posts about my time at Barnard, the pre-medical experience (and the “non-pre-med” pre-med experience that I had), and what I’ve been up to since graduation.  If you have any questions you’d like me to answer, please feel free to leave them in the comments!  Congratulations on your acceptance to Barnard, and happy exploring!

My first day at Barnard.

Hints that Barnard was "The One"

Name: Marquita Amoah

Class: 2016 (Sophomore)

Hometown: Bronx, NY

Major: English

Clubs/Organizations: Barnard Organization of Soul Sisters (BOSS), Barnard Student Admissions Representative (BSAR), Barnard Babysitter. Intern at a NYC-based fashion company. 

I like to tell people that Barnard was my first choice before I knew it was my first choice. My college application process was very democratic in the sense that all of my colleges were good fits for me, but Barnard was working its magic early on. There were a few hints that Barnard was the place for me. Let me elaborate: 

Down time in Union Square Park

Hint #1: The summer before my senior year, I worked very close to Morningside Heights. I used to take lunch breaks and use them to walk through Morningside Park and up onto Columbia and Barnard’s campuses. I would walk around examining and testing out the area. But guess what: I hadn't even decided at that point that I wanted to apply to either college. My body was just drawn to the area.

Hint #2: During August before my senior year of high school, I started my Barnard application. It was a hot day and I was sitting next to my mother on the bed as she watched TV. She asked me what I was typing because I looked so happy; I told her I was writing my application to Barnard. The questions were so interesting and I enjoyed answering them so much that my mother could see it in my smile. It was the first college application I completed.

Hint #3: I came to visit Barnard in October of my senior year and had an amazing experience. I had an excellent and met two really cool girls and hoped they would get into Barnard with me. (I had amazing confidence!)

With two of my closest Columbia friends since day one.

Hint #4: The admissions officer of my area called me saying she was missing a paper from me and we ended up talking for twenty minutes about my school. It was amazing!

March 23^rd 2012: I got into Barnard!!! Yay! When I called the admissions officer to tell her that I got in, she said she was ecstatic and that she knew Barnard was great for me. I accepted my admission the next day.

Hint #5: When I came to visit Barnard it was also open house for Columbia as well. Remember the two girls I spoke about earlier? Well when I was at a talent show held for all the prospective students of the university, I saw the two girls. They immediately recognized me and told me that they were going to Columbia College. I told them I was going to Barnard and we all jumped in joy! Up to this day, they are two of my best friends.

Barnard was the place for me before I even realized it. It found a way to allow me to make connections and feel welcomed before I enrolled. No other college did that for me. Barnard is the place for me and I hope it is for you too!

At this year's Kwanzaa Ball