BARNARD OR BRANDEIS??? Transfer

[monightingale]

<p>Hi!
I am currently a freshman finishing up the year at a large, private university in Upstate NY. I sent in transfer applications for Fall 2014 to both Barnard College and Brandeis University. I was accepted to both and now have to make a decision in less than a week!!! This is proving to be stressful and a very hard choice, especially since I am in the middle of exams and have no time to visit. </p>

<p>If ANYONE is either a current student at either school, recent grad, etc. and would like to share their HONEST experience, I would appreciate it so much!!! Any insight would help me to make this choice. </p>

<p>Helpful Background Info:
1. I was a very strong student in high school and chose my current university after I was accepted into their auditioned vocal performance program. That is why I did not apply to either of these schools the first go around, not because I wouldn't have been accepted or because I wouldn't like them! </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Things I don't like at current school: Large size, very spread out campus, in the middle-of-nowhere FREEZING tundra that it Upstate NY. In general, it is a very isolating place, and the school itself does nothing to help this. I felt like I was dropped off somewhere and completely alone, like "Ok, now you're on your own". Practically no orientation, have only met a handful of kids on my floor from really putting myself out there. Everyone drinks and smokes pot ALL the time, and unless you're in a sorority (or frat for guys), there is no social life to speak of, no events, no clubs, nothing. In addition, I thought the Honors Program would be a good home for students like me. It has turned out to be a joke; I've taken 3 honors courses so far and really haven't met any friends. I have met my "advisor" one time, to approve my course selection for this spring semester. My profs don't care about me, even when I have tried to make an effort to go to office hours (if they even have any) and/or email and pay attention in class. I attend pretty much every class and still don't feel appreciated at all. Ok, ANYWAY, sorry to be a downer, but it's all good now, because I am transferring! Yay!!!</p></li>
<li><p>I have strong interest in music and theatre. I was a lead in many high school productions, musicals and plays. I directed one-acts, etc. Participated in lots of choirs. I also like to seek out leadership positions (senior class president, a community-service based independent study, thespian officer). Basically, I LIKE TO BE INVOLVED! It's really lacking here, and I can't handle it. I like being busy (though not dying). Busy with interesting things and people that I enjoy! I don't consider myself a resume padder type, everything I did in high school was something I wanted to do for myself. </p></li>
<li><p>Yes, I AM Jewish. I only say that because it is a factor in the decision. I attended Jewish summer camp for years, have been to Israel multiple times, keep Kosher, would like to marry within the "tribe" if you will. I consider myself more on the Conservative side, though my family has been involved in a modern orthodox synagogue as well. So maybe "Conservadox"? Anyway, yes I am pro-Israel in general (though that doesn't rule out any criticism of the country! All countries should be subjected to the same scrutiny, I just feel that sometimes Israel gets an unmerited criticism). I am also politically more conservative in terms of economic and foreign affairs issues. Social issues (abortion, etc.) I am liberal. </p></li>
<li><p>I have been to the Brandeis campus a couple of times. I have an aunt near Boston. I have never really been on the Barnard campus...though I have been in to NYC a few times this year (I have 2 brothers in the city). </p></li>
<li><p>I am a Midwest gal!!! From St. Louis. Yes, it's in Missouri. No, it's not some farm country, it's a real city, about the size of Pittsburgh. No, it's not Southern. Anyway, the point is that I do consider myself to be a well-mannered, respectful person. That's not limited to Midwesterners, but I think it's fair to say that not every Bostonian or NYC'er is the best at holding doors or saying their "pleases" and "thank-yous" </p></li>
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<p>Ok, sorry this is sooooo long!! Any questions or comments...I have to make a decision this week!!!</p>

<p>TL;DR Transfer student: Barnard or Brandeis, why?</p>

[calmom]

<p>Hi, I’m the parent of a Jewish Barnard grad. I can’t tell you anything about Brandeis -but I can tell you about Barnard:</p>

<ol>
<li> Advising is wonderful and Barnard profs in general seem to really care about and respect their students. That was what impressed me most about Barnard during my daughter’s four years there. Her first advisor was department head who always had time for her-- my d. would frequently stop by just to chat, even after my d. had been assigned a new advisor after she declared her major. My d. also was very close to her thesis advisor and one of the Deans – who has continued to help her with things such as grad school apps in the years since my d. graduated. She had several profs she was very close to – and I even though I only visited twice while school was in session, I met several profs and sat in as a guest to some classes.<br></li>
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<p>This obviously is not an every-class thing - my d. was not particularly fond of her major advisor and she has had her share of complains about individual profs-- but accessibility was never one of the complaints. It’s just that like every school, the actual individual teaching ability ranges all over the map. Fortunately Barnard students have CULPA as a resource to get a sense of what most profs are like before signing up for a course. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Barnard itself is a teensy campus that only takes up about 2 city blocks, and has an underground passageway that connects the buildings – and even though it can get quite chilly in Manhattan, it is never as cold there as Boston or or upstate NY. You have to emerge to street level to get to Columbia – but that is also a relatively small campus and probably less than a 5 minute walk from one end to the other. You can use Google maps and the street map view to get a very good sense of size. </p></li>
<li><p>I think that about 1/3 of Barnard women are Jewish and of course there is a kosher dining option available. My daughter worked for Hillel her senior year and I think she had very positive experiences. My d. is Reform & minimally observant --but there are also many orthodox Jewish women on campus, and pretty much all levels and types of observance in between. Your political viewpoint may be challenged at Columbia, though-- not all Jews are ardently pro-Israel, and you will encounter a wide range of political viewpoints in the Barnard/Columbia community. </p></li>
<li><p>What part of NYC do your brothers live in? Barnard/Columbia is upper west side - so if you know that area at all, you have a flavor of what it is like. Less hustle and bustle than midtown or low manhattan, but still very urban and the streets are lined with shops and restaurants. </p></li>
<li><p>Plenty to get involved with --whatever your inclination. If you do opt for Barnard I’d recommend making a connection with Hillel due to my daughter’s positive experiences and because I am sure their events and activities will provide an avenue to meet other Jewish students. I think it can be hard for a transfer student to break into already established social circles at just about any campus, so that would be one starting point. </p></li>
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<p>Finally I’d note that even though there is plenty to get involved with at Barnard and Columbia, the rest of the city is also a big draw, so the social lives of students do not tend to center around campus or campus activities. That can be a plus or a minus depending on what you are looking for in terms of college and campus life. </p>

<p>Plus, because of the urban location, there’s plenty to get involved with off campus as well – my daughter also had friends attending other colleges, and of course there are all sorts of things to do in NYC. I don’t know anything about opportunities to participate in theater on campus (just not the sort of thing my d. was interested in doing) - but obviously you will have opportunities to see Broadway shows as well as other NY theater, and there are discount tickets to all sorts of events regularly available to Barnard students.</p>

<p>My daughter did apply to Brandeis but we never looked into it closely - the only reason she applied was that they invited her to apply for free and she thought it was a “match” school- but then she was waitlisted,so we never investigated further. However, it sounds like a lot of your unhappiness at your current school is due to a sense of isolation and possible alienation from other students – so I think you might find that Barnard is a better choice precisely because you won’t be limited to the Barnard community for friendship and activities. That is, you might find it very easy to make friends there and find that you fit right in – but if not, there are plenty of ways you could easily get involved with the wider community. </p>