Barnard or Tufts??

College Search & Selection
21

<p>I feel like there’s a lot of Tufts negativity on this thread, and I’d just like to offer some alternative views (disclaimer: I go to Tufts, so take what you want from this). </p>

<p>While it definitely sounds like you’re leaning towards Barnard (which you should definitely go there if that’s what you want), I think you’re underestimating Tufts and Boston in general. Boston’s definitely laid-back and has a completely different feel than NYC, but I personally prefer it. It’s clean, really pretty, has tons of awesome restaurants/concert venues/parks, and has one of, if not THE youngest population in a city. Tufts isn’t in Boston, but I will say, being able to see the Boston skyline from the uphill half of campus is pretty awesome. Plus, it’s super easy to go into Boston, as well as Harvard square (literally 5 minutes on the T). </p>

<p>Tufts also has a stronger IR program than Barnard (though of course I realize the value of having Columbia). All the same, a Tufts IR degree will prepare you extremely well for field and governmental work (as opposed to work in academia). Tufts has a great atmosphere too - super laid-back, not extremely athletic-oriented, and intellectual. I think you’ll find that students compete with themselves but not with others. Everyone I’ve met is friendly and willing to lend you a hand in or outside the classroom. </p>

<p>Also, I’d try not to pay too much attention to anecdotal evidence given by friends of freshmen. Note: I am NOT trying to discredit anyone’s complaint or genuine dissatisfaction with the school. I just think transfer comments should be taken with a grain of salt, and I’ll explain why. Most of first semester, I didn’t like Tufts either. I felt lonely, out of place, and overall discouraged. What I came to realize, however, was that this was not from being at Tufts, but from college in general. I’m bad at making friends, so the first few months were torture for me. Now I’ve joined a few clubs and started working as a research assistant. I have several close friends and finally feel like I belong on campus. All I’m saying is that it takes time. One semester at any college is not enough (at least in my case) to be happy and content at a school. Therefore, I urge you (OP) and others to be wary of new freshmen complaints. I’ve learned that lesson well. My apologies if this offended anyone; I assure you, that was NOT my intention. I only wished to tell you my experiences.</p>

<p>So now that I’ve dragged this out unnecessarily long, all I have to say is, go with your gut. It’ll make you happiest.</p>

22

<p>“I’m at Tufts and absolutely hate it.”</p>

<p>Why?</p>

23

<p>

</p>

<p>This is from lizzygreat, by the way. To answer monydad’s question.</p>

24

<p>lizzygreat is a ■■■■■ with all sorts of inconsistent posts. Elsewhere she says she’s in the Tufts/NEC program. In another post she says she’s taking 8 classes.</p>

25

<p>I’d choose Barnard because it offers more: as someone said, you can have the LAC experience and the research university experience at the same time, and when you grow tired of the intensity at Barnard, you can go to a club meeting at Columbia, or when the anonymity of the big university starts to bother you, you can return to the supportive atmosphere of Barnard.</p>

<p>While the advantages of taking classes at Columbia cannot be denied, however, I think it has to be said that most Barnard students are Barnard students first and Columbia students second. Regardless of their reasons for applying, Barnard is not just a backdoor to Columbia; it has its own separate identity and academics, and I don’t think you’ll ever meet a Barnard student who spends more time on the Columbia campus than at her own college.</p>

<p>Anyway. As I said, you’ll get to meet a lot of different people, both when/if you decide to take classes at C., and in the city itself, so you’ll never feel isolated from the outside world.</p>

<p>And NYC will be able to offer you things Boston doesn’t have.</p>

26

<p>hi hello</p>

27

<p>This thread was resurrected by a ■■■■■ whose posts make no sense and who is trying to stir up trouble.</p>