Barnard or Wesleyan?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi, I’m having a hard time deciding between Wesleyan and Barnard. I’m a potential English major (or something in that vein) from LA nourishing dreams of being a comedic writer. I’m interested in a bunch of different things, though, so I’m excited to get the experience of taking a lot of different classes in college. I’d want to get involved with writing for campus publications probably. I’m a good student—very interested in learning and getting a great intellectual experience—but I also love to party and don’t want to be sitting in a dorm room playing checkers for four years. That being said, here are my issues:</p>

<p>I love both schools for different reasons. Wes is a real college campus with interesting people, fascinating classes and professors, and a co-ed experience. I love that there’s a great on-campus social scene that’s varied; I’m really drawn by all the different social opportunities there. I love the housing (WestCo, woodframes, etc) and I love the open, relaxed vibe of the people and school in general. Kick ass school.</p>

<p>With Barnard, I love the location in New York City near places I would love to intern at (Daily Show, Colbert Report, etc) and the fact that it has an amazing writing program, a small community dedicated to the success of its women where you can have close relationships with professors, and the resources of Columbia. And I want to be a Barnard Bartender! So cool. It feels like a perfect combo: small liberal arts school, resources of large university, and all set in NYC—but just far enough away (in a super cute town—I love Morningside Heights!) that you’re not thrown into the midst of the city, like in NYU or Eugene Lang.</p>

<p>Negatives for Wesleyan: I’m afraid about it being in the middle of nowhere—not for the lack of something to do (not worried about that), but for the fact that I’ll be insulated from the real-world opportunities I would be able to have living in New York. You can’t beat New York, and I would love to get experiences interning while living in the city as a student—I’d hate to move there after graduation to try and get a job; it would be so much easier to get that experience as a student. This is the big one for me; how can I turn down an opportunity to live in New York with the support and guidance of a school behind me?</p>

<p>For Barnard, I’m afraid of the lack of a social scene, as people empty out into the city and so not much happens on campus, and I don’t know how I feel about being at an all-girl’s school after having done so for high school—I know it’s not fully co-ed because of the partnership with Columbia, but I like the idea of having guys actually part of MY community, with my school’s name on their sweater and actually having guys at my own graduation. I’m sick of girls! I’m also apprehensive about the monetary demands of living in New York City. Money is tight, and I got generous financial aid packets from both schools—a little more generous from Wes. I’m afraid a city-based social scene would tear my wallet up. And the relationship with Columbia seems complicated and has the potential to be fraught with tension and inferiority/superiority complexes, something I don’t particularly want to deal with.</p>

<p>I’m extremely torn, and the more I write it down, the less clear it gets! Any thoughts?</p>

2

<p>bump and grind…</p>

3

<p>Are you trying to intern during the school year in New York? I say go with Wesleyan, use the extra bit of money for weekends in NY, and intern in NY during the summers.</p>

4

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<p>I believe Columbia and Barnard graduate together, actually.</p>

<p>Everything I’ve heard about Barnard/Columbia indicates that the two are VERY tight–much closer than a normal cross-reg relationship. I don’t think you’ll want for guys around. [shrug]</p>

5

<p>I agree with repetio re: internships–summer internships are definitely an option if you go Wesleyan, though they’re typically more competitive simply because summer opens up free time for all college kids.</p>

6

<p>Interesting stuff, thanks. I hate making this decision!</p>

7

<p>Wesleyan, also, is the LAC with the best ties to Hollywood if you want to be that type of comedic writer.</p>

<p>FWIW, that’s where I’d go.</p>