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Is Barnard an Ivy?

Published in College Status 2 mins read

No, Barnard College is not a member of the Ivy League.

While Barnard College shares a significant academic affiliation with Columbia University, a distinguished Ivy League institution, this close relationship does not extend Ivy League membership to Barnard itself. It's a common misconception that due to Columbia's status, Barnard would also be considered an Ivy. However, the Ivy League is a specific athletic conference comprising eight universities, and Barnard College is not one of them.

Understanding Barnard's Relationship with the Ivy League

The Ivy League is an athletic conference established in 1954, encompassing eight private universities in the Northeastern United States known for their academic excellence and selective admissions. These institutions are: Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale.

Barnard College, while independent, maintains a unique and strong partnership with Columbia University. This affiliation grants Barnard students:

  • Access to Columbia University courses, facilities, and libraries.
  • The ability to participate in many Columbia student organizations and athletic teams.
  • A Columbia University diploma upon graduation, in addition to a Barnard College diploma.

Despite these deep ties, Barnard College operates with its own distinct administration, faculty, and endowment. Its admissions process is separate from Columbia's, and it functions as an independent liberal arts college for women. Therefore, while its students benefit from Columbia's Ivy League resources and academic environment, Barnard College itself is not officially part of the Ivy League. Barnard is often recognized for its own merits as one of the highly selective "Seven Sisters" colleges.