Aparna Rajesh ‘24

Aparna Rajesh ‘24 came to Barnard as a transfer student. She began her computer science degree at a male-dominated research institution. Craving academic exploration and a greater sense of women empowerment, Barnard was the obvious choice. 

Transferring as a junior normally  comes with a distinct set of challenges, however, thanks to Barnard’s Computer Science department, Aparna only remembers the transition being a smooth experience. “The Barnard computer science department didn’t put a limit on the amount of related courses that I could transfer in, which was a huge selling point for me,” Aparna explained. 

Because of the flexibility of Barnard’s Foundations Curriculum, upon arrival, Aparna was prompted to explore different academic disciplines – a cornerstone of her Barnard experience. “I took some really, really interesting classes,” Aparna recalled. “If I had gone down the path that I envisioned for myself during my first year of college, when I was so focused on becoming the best engineer, and only taking engineering classes, I would have never taken the classes that changed the way I look at the world.” These classes included, but were certainly not limited to, The Social World, Environmental Science, Technology, Religion, Future, and Reincarnation & Technology. “I loved these courses, and still reference many of the papers and articles that I had to read for class on a daily basis.” 

Aparna is passionate about having difficult conversations, widening her horizons, and having an interdisciplinary approach to education. Her time at Barnard represented all of that and more. Inspired by her time in Barnard seminars, after her graduation, she created her own discussion series titled  Marginalia Society, which are monthly discussions of 10–13 individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, many of whom Aparna met at Barnard. “Together, we read shared texts, explore open-ended questions, and engage across disciplines.At its core, it’s about curiosity, empathy, and engaging beyond our usual bubbles, all values I trace directly back to my Barnard education.”

Aparna’s takeaway from her Barnard transfer experience is that she  stresses that Barnard students should not be scared to explore. “Don’t overspecialize and let yourself explore,” she advises, “take classes in subjects that you’re not super familiar with. It was precisely those classes that shaped the way I think today.”