Is Barnard College part of Columbia University?

Confused about this one. If I apply to Barnard College, does that mean I'm technically applying to be a part of Columbia University? Or are they considered separate entities? Thanks in advance!

Barnard College and Columbia University do have a unique relationship. They're legally and financially separate institutions with their own admissions processes as well as degree-granting powers. However, they also have an official partnership.

When you apply to Barnard, you're not technically applying to Columbia University, but rather to a women's liberal arts college that operates separately. Barnard students do, however, receive a diploma signed by both the Barnard and Columbia presidents and they are officially recognized as Columbia graduates.

Another indication of the close affiliation between the two is that students at Barnard and Columbia share many resources. For instance, they can cross-register for courses at either institution, share access to libraries and facilities, and participate in each other's extracurricular activities.Despite these overlaps, it's important to remember that the two schools maintain different environments and communities, and choosing between them would mean considering the kind of college experience you're seeking. Barnard, for example, offers small class sizes and a tight-knit community with the resources of a large research university via its association with Columbia. You would want to emphasize these unique characteristics in your application.In summary, while Barnard and Columbia share a special relationship, they are independent institutions and you would be applying to them separately.