<p>Im a native of manhattan but haven’t lived there in a few years…obviously i love the city, its the center of the univers and who wouldnt…but i’m deciding between UCLA and barnard…obviously these schools are polar opposites…can anyone offer some advice?</p>
<p>you're still deciding? i thought the deadline was monday...</p>
<p>one thing to consider is public transportation. i've never been to los angeles (although oddly enough ucla was my dream school when i was little, largely because of the beach boys song "california girls") but i know that you more or less need a car to get around, and it's not like that in new york. i love living in a city where people depend on public transportation, especially since nyc's is reliable and environmentally conscious for a big city.
what kind of weather do you want?<br>
what kind of student body? i'm operating on l.a. stereotypes here, but i feel that barnard students are more uptight and focused on academics, while being just as, or even more, diverse and creative.
barnard definitely has the advantages of a small college - better advising, good food, you can end up knowing a lot of the people in your year, smaller classes, a real focus on undergrad rather than grad. i dont think you could get those things at ucla. basically, everything you can get at ucla, except the sun, you can get at barnard; you can't get everything at barnard, at ucla.</p>
<p>You're right they are polar opposites. I've had relatives at both. They are both strong academically with great off campus distractions conveniently located. Without a car New York is easier. Also, at Barnard it's easier to get into the classes you want or need.</p>