<p>which do you think is more competetive to get in to?</p>
<p>My guess is that they are about equal. Barnard takes a lower percentage of their applicants, but I think there is some self selection at Wellesley. I would recommend that you visit all of the women's colleges. They each have their own atmosphere. Warn your parents from me that you may chose a different college than the one that appeals to them.</p>
<p>Agreed. There's no way of measuring the soft factors, but the hard stats of admitted students are about the same at both schools. </p>
<p>The lower acceptance rate of Barnard might make it more chancey (as adcoms can use seemingly unimportant distinguishing features to choose between two stats-similar applicants), but not more competitive. That's my guess, anyway.</p>
<p>I'll echo what Mardad said. Each of the womens colleges has its own flavor. My D, who had had no intention of going to a womens college, was accepted to Barnard, Wellesley, and Smith and we visited all three.
There were elements of her ratings where each was #1 on her scorecard. In her case, the best fit was Smith and she's been extremely happy there...just got back to start her second year on Saturday night. Tweak her priorities or sensibilities slightly and she could have chosen Wellesley or Barnard.</p>
<p>Going to an all girls school and knowing about the Seven Sisters from my mother, I would say Barnard is more competitive. </p>
<p>It is touch and go but for the most part Barnard has best been able to keep its reputation. Although anyone who knows their worth about colleges knows the SS schools have been and will always be good schools, if not "sticker schools." Wellesley is very high up there too. If you have any questions about the town/college feel free to ask. I go to their old prep school, Dana Hall, and know a lot about it.</p>
<p>"My D, who had had no intention of going to a womens college, was accepted to Barnard, Wellesley, and Smith and we visited all three."</p>
<p>Haha. If she had no intention of going to a women's college, what possessed her to apply to 3 of them and then subsequently visit them?</p>
<p>???? Because she was open minded and what she learned at prospect parties and then visiting made her re-think her whole approach to what she wanted. Is there something peculiar in that?</p>
<p>Fwiw, Columbia had been her #1 on paper--it appeared to be everything she wanted--and after visiting she decided to not even apply though Barnard did make the cut.</p>
<p>Same for me, TheDad : ) I think that there really isn't that much of a difference in competitiveness... they're both excellent schools. Keep in mind that the slightly lower acceptance rate at Barnard might have to do with young women applying there as a "backup" to Columbia and Barnard sensing this in their applications. Being in the city alone will tend to draw more applicants to the school; I think this might make up for the admissions differential.</p>