<p>I'm planning on doing something related to Poli Sci/International Relations/maybe Econ. Tufts obviously has an amazing IR department, but Barnard has NYC. I'm just trying to decide between Boston and NYC at this point I guess, a city with insane amounts of college students or, well, the greatest city in the world (too distracting maybe?). I'm wondering if I want a real campus life...and whether Barnard/Columbia has a strange and patronizing relationship. I'm not sure if I should dive into the NY experience in college, even though I think there will be so many resources for me, and I want to eventually move there. I don't think the all girls thing will hinder me too much, as all classes and all activities have boys, but I guess I know where you're coming from. I'm wondering which school will be more diverse. I always thought NY? Or not, since Tufts is so internationally focused. But, I've heard people of the same clique/racial group/etc. tend to stay together at Tufts, which bothers me. I guess there's more of a campus life at Tufts plus the city life not too far away, but there's so much to do in New York! I don't know.</p>
<p>What do you guys think!!!!!?!??@#@324u9389 Because...I'm dying here.</p>
<p>Also, I've been selected to be a Centennial Scholar at Barnard, but I'm not sure if that's such a huge thing...I'm finding it hard to say no to it anyway.</p>
<p>The Centennial Scholarship is definitely a big deal. In previous years there have been <em>at most</em> four per class. Usually, it's one or two.</p>
<p>Barnard
NY actually has more than twice as many college students as Boston and Cambridge combined, so if you're looking for that it's there. I have a friend at Barnard and she seems to love it. I also know someone at Tufts who is looking to transfer. (But they're just two people and you'll have to decide for yourself- but I say Barnard! lol)</p>
<p>I can't be objective so I'm not going to try. Both are wonderful schools. My D adores Barnard and wouldn't trade it for any other college in the country. About 40% of her classes have been at Columbia. She didn't plan it that way; it just happened. The school average is 30%. (That holds true for Columbians too. 30% of their classes are usually at Barnard; that means there are more Columbians at Barnard than Barnardites at Columbia.)</p>
<p>But Columbia is not the essence of B. Barnard is. I just brought that up in response to an earlier post.</p>
<p>Walking out on Broadway is very exciting. You just have to go by where you think you'd be happier. The education will be excellent at both schools.</p>
<p>There is something very special about the women's college experience that is hard to put into words, but is indeed very real. At this point in my life, I've taken classes at many different kinds of colleges and universities, but I am eternally grateful that my first college experience was at one of Barnard's sister institutions.</p>
<p>That and the chance to be young and in New York! Wow!</p>
<p>My sister has attended an all-girls school and has not considered it to be a positive. But this is of course wildly dependent on each student.</p>
<p>But I question how all-girls-y Barnard can really be compared to the other Seven Sisters schools, which are not in major urban locations, nor are they literally right across the street from a co-ed university</p>
<p>Barnard IS Columbia College. Barnard is smaller, and more intimate than Columbia College, but, all the same, you could take most of your courses at Columbia. With Barnard, you have the advantages of a major, huge endowment-having research university AND the intimate feel of a liberal arts college. Plus, NYC > Boston...without a doubt!</p>
<p>Not to mention, for your interests, NYC is much more cosmopolitan and international than Boston. NY has the UN, embassies/consulates, and some of the largest immigrant populations in the country! Boston, well, Boston has baked beans.</p>
<p>I wonder about the relationship between the Barnard students and Columbia students too...Is it not awkward and isn't the atmosphere in womens' college tense because of the petty *****ing girls tend to get in if their consistently around each other.
In any case I think you should really think of the implicatiobs being at an all girls shools presents because no matter what Barnard is a women's college and you will be primarily part of that community</p>
<p>Tufts is in Medford. I taught there some years back, and come from Boston. Tufts has good students, and Boston is fun. I graduated Barnard, and think it's going to offer a wider variety of students, and NYC at your doorstep. You will grow more at Barnard, and the Centennial program is significant. Both Tufts and Barnard are excellent schools but Barnard is the more exciting, although the International Relations programs are good at both. You'll have more opportunities in NYC.</p>
<p>My sister went to Tufts and loved it. I think if you spend some time on each campus and look at the curriculum, you will "know". You can't really make a bad choice here!</p>
<p>If you definitely plan on living in NY after college, you may want to seriously consider Tufts as you will get a chance to live in the Boston area which is very different than NY (I have lived in both - currently NY). </p>
<p>Boston is a college town and pretty relaxed. NY may have a lot of college students, but they blend in with everyone else. </p>
<p>Sounds like you got into a good program at Barnard so that may tip the scales.</p>
<p>I’m at Tufts and absolutely hate it. I’m a freshman and tried to apply to Barnard but they said my tufts credit are less than 24 Barnard credit and therefore cannot transfer this year. URGHGH I’m so sad;;; I don’t want to spend another year over here at Tufts.</p>