<p>What do you Barnard girls think about this one?
Needing your advice.
Please be very honest.</p>
<p>That's a harder one. I think that Chicago is the <em>much</em> bigger name, and an excellent school overall. But that said, I also know a lot of people who are or were very unhappy there (obviously, the ones who transferred here weren't happy). As I'm considering it for grad school, I'm told that the atmosphere is more cut-throat than most selective schools, and academics are very much a grind.</p>
<p>This call comes down to you. I think the schools appeal to two very different types of people. So whichever one suits you more is a great choice.</p>
<p>primefactor, back when you were transferring, did you apply to U of C?</p>
<p>And I am just curious.. as you know of me so far (from reading my posts, and communicating on here)... what do you think sounds like a better option for me? I know this sounds like a ridiculous and somewhat impossible question for you to answer.. but just going by gut instinct etc.</p>
<p>In terms of job propects/career opportunities/name being well known (especially internationally, and esp. in Asia), what is better: a U of C degree or a Barnard degree?</p>
<p>On the parents forum, one poster said, they were both equal. But I've been hearing very mixed things elsewhere... more partisan to U of C...
Apparantly a U of C degree is very sought after...</p>
<p>No, but I have no idea why. It's a great school. Guess it worked out well so that I didn't have to face this choice, too!</p>
<p>Oy, I definitely can't say. I can't get a feel for what you really want out of college, since you're confused about it yourself. I'm leaning UofC, though. If it were in New York, would there be a question in your mind?</p>
<p>edit: In Asia, definitely UofC. I get the sense that liberal arts colleges don't translate well.</p>
<p>silver_wavez, I have been following your posts for a while and have always wished you well. I think that you're an enthusiastic and caring person and have the capacity to be happy wherever you are and whatever you're doing. I think you would fit in better at Barnard than at Chicago. HOWEVER, I also think that you have to think very seriously and honestly about why Barnard attracts you and about some of the issues you have raised. I doubt many Barnard students feel like second-class citizens, but I would bet that the ones that do--and the ones that perceive slights all over the place--are the ones who really want to be Columbia students--to live in the Columbia dorms and eat in the Columbia eating places and join the Columbia sororities, etc. There's nothing inherently wrong with any of those things, of course, but I do see a problem in having adored Columbia, registering at Barnard, and making plans to "live" as much as possible at Columbia rather than at your own school. I don't want to argue with you about your feeings; obviously you know them better than I ever could. I just wanted to suggest that you be honest with yourself as to what about Barnard you love. That said, of course you should visit Chicago since you have the chance to do so.</p>
<p>Ok this is an email I'm sending a family friend.
I really sat down by myself, thought about it, was brutally honest with myself. Really thought about it like I never before. And I'm faced with sucha horrible dilemma, I had to dig deep and see what I wanted etc.
Now that UofC is in the picture, it's a completely different issue.
And I came up with a pros and cons list (there still needs to be stuff added etc), but ok I will show you this email.
Ultimately, no matter what anyone says (my parents, teachers, friends, posters on CC), the brutally hard decision is up to me and only me.. and I will come round to deciding that..
And I will sleep on it and really dig deep inside of me.. BUT right now I really doo need just a bit of help. I'm so confused like I have never been before. This is the biggest dilemma I've faced everrrrrr. I do feel very fortunate, but it's really getting to me, it's horrible deciding.
Here's the deal, if it was Columbia and Chicago (I actually was applying EA and then procrastinated and procrastinated and pushed it back RD), then I'd choose Columbia (probably with not much difficulty).
Barnard vs. Chicago is a reallllllllllllllllllllllllllllll tough decision.. it's so hard.
I can't refuse UofC but can't throw away Barnard.
Chicago was and is a dream too, but just a different one.</p>
<p>Ok so here's the email:</p>
<p>I'm in a bit of a pickle here, feeling very confused
and torn.. I would really appreciate your opinion and
advice if you don't mind.</p>
<p>So I got all my decisions except Wesleyan now.
I'm deciding on Barnard and Chicago... I was pretty
much set on going to Barnard 100% till I heard from
Chicago today. And it was very happy news, but at the
moment I just feel utterly confused.
(My intended major(s): English literature, Art
history)</p>
<p>There's so many things that become a factor.. and that
I have to consider... </p>
<p>Barnard pros:
-NYC (biggg part of why I love it, my dream to go
there for college)
-have friends there
-want to join this sorority that my friend is the
pres. of
-great LAC
-reaping all of Columbia's benefits - CU affiliation
with BC (and original interest in Columbia)
-NYC's resournces/opportunities/internships
-women's college yet not "traditional" women's college
(so benefits that come with that)
-the 5 year accelerated course - BA from Barnard MA
from Columbia
-this idea of getting advantages (and also
disadvantages I suppose) of both Barnard and Columbia
-LAC is focused on undergrad teaching
-strong in english and art history
-dance program at Barnard
-did I mention NYC?</p>
<p>Barnard cons:
-NYC - expensive and a distraction (and ultimately i'm
going there to go to uni not to have a paris
hilton-esque social life, and Barnard is also tough so
it's not like it's going to be a breeze)
-the so-called 'Columbia arrogance' - Barnard girls
being looked down upon and everything else ive heard
about that etc. (and the stress that may come from
that)
-being a women's college (never thought I'd want
to go to one), dont know if i'll like it etc. (all the
anxieties that come with that - i like having my guys
right there in my school haha)
-essentially what I wanted was Columbia, and Barnard is
definitely not Columbia, no matter how many people
choose to say it's "practically the same thing"</p>
<p>Chicago pros:
-Was and is top choice along with Barnard (just didn't
think I'd get in)
-Chicago being a big city as well
-the resources and arts available in Chicago too, the
school itself has FANTASTIC academics
-English and history departments are excellent
(right?)
-Chicago institue of art
-very reputable internationally, especially in Asia
-essentially a better school than Barnard, and people
say worth paying for (over Barnard)
-people convincing me that UofC is the definitely the
"clear" choice over Barnard
-highly intellectual atmosphere (Life of the Mind etc.)</p>
<p>UoC CONS:
-reputation of being the nation's geek school
-scared that I won't fit in or find people I'd connect
with
-gut feeling that I won't be "happy" there (in terms of overall
experience when compared to barnard - barnard, almost feel
like it's fate, and i fit so perfectly)
-the whole social atmosphere (that I have heard of)
also frightens me.. I like to have fun too (work hard
play hard mentality), don't want to kill myself studying
-even the kids I know that go to Chicago are just so
different to me
-Heard that ONLY 'certain types' of kids are fit to go
to Chicago -- how much truth?
-the incredibly intense, high-stress, pressured environment
(like would I enjoy this experience... would I choose
this over the overall experience of Barnard type thing)</p>
<p>Ok, Questions:
- Do you know anything about the Chicago Art History
department?
- Or the art and dance programs at Chicago? (Can you
take classes at Chicago Institue of Art for example).
- What is your gut feeling to this dilemma?
- And overall, opinions on UofC vs. BC?
- Is it really true (for international students like
me) that the prestigious name makes it that much
easier to get a job or to have opportunities or to go
to a good grad school.... Like in terms of job
prospects/career path/opportunities etc, what is
better: a UofC degree or a Barnard degree? --> Now
apparantly, this is the BIG issue (and this is the
debate that is the hardest).
- And going to Grad school... will UofC hinder (cus of
the intense competition in undergrad) or help?
- My love for NYC and my heart says BARNARD BARNARD,
but I'll regret throwing Chicago away, and think what
if..
- At the same time, I'm scared that I'll be miserable
at Chicago, and regret and think WHAT IFFF... NYC and
Barnard :(</p>
<p>I am most likely going to visit Chicago this weekend.
I know it sounds ridiculous and it's a tight schedule.
It's also 3 weeks till IB exams.. and feel scared
about this... but I think it should be ok.
What do you think?
I know Chicago's the better school but I think I'll be
happier at Barnard. (this is at present moment - I
don't know lots about Chicago).</p>
<p>This is the most horrible dilemma I've ever faced. I
hope you can enlighten me - really need some help
here.
I want to make the right decision..</p>
<p>Thank you so much!!!</p>
<p>Christina :)</p>
<p>o and another chicago bonus: the nobel prize winners</p>
<p>HA! I was totally right about the psychology of admissions season. ;) Decide to go to Chicago, and in a week you'll be even more excited than before.</p>
<p>I agree with searchingavalon; she just managed to come off sounding a lot nicer than I usually do. I don't know how I end up sounding so critical sometimes.</p>
<p>(but regarding Nobel Prize winners... their importance to and influence on your education is near nil.)</p>
<p>And the 5 year MA program isn't automatic, so don't count on being accepted as a key factor in your decision.</p>
<p>"I was totally right about the psychology of admissions season. " - what does that mean? did you mean reason?</p>
<p>ok i get the thing bout the nobels, but i just see it as a perk lol</p>
<p>The thing is.... giving up Barnard is so incredibly hard.. It's so close to my heart and I'm so attached - emotionally and everything.. It's so freaking hard to give up.</p>
<p>Just what I said a few days ago about being most excited about 1) the first place you got in and 2) the most recent place you got in. Let a cool head prevail!</p>
<p>Yeah, Chicago's big on Nobel Prizes. They're famous for poaching winners (and anticipated winners) from other schools.</p>
<p>And to go off on an only slightly related rant, this is why I hate the concept of a dream school!! You (the royal you) get so attached to one place and it clouds judgment of other places because of the emotional attachment (which can very easily be formed to other schools)!
/rant</p>
<p>ohhh christina,,.. how are you</p>
<p>id say dont overanalyze the situation man,, basically theres billions of pros and cons for each college but fundamentally both colleges are good and im sure you can adapt to either and have a good time at both places,, let me launch into a debate about life now:</p>
<p>basically i think if you're a reasonable person capable of forming decent friendships,, you'll be a paris hilton at either college,, i think you should choose your college based on which has a better course,, and perhaps which college is closer to like a major airport and a nice city and *<strong><em>,, i mean both ar egood colleges and nuts,, there sno need to overanalyze the situation and *</em></strong>. personally id say choose university of chicago,, its much better recognized so that if you want a job somewhere all these random employers will try and rape you,, .</p>
<p>i'd say the college experience is pretty much the same everywhere man,, it depends on you as a person and negro. where the **** is bernard anyway? (no offense) if its in the middle of nowhere you might be happier at chicago. but dont overanalyze man. if you DO want to overanalyze, id say just visit both and fondle them both personally, to get a feel for both of them. lets be honest, you can afford it. so just take a few days off school and go touch both of them and see which you like better. it might save years of pain and misery. alright paris hilton. haha i love that analogy, i cant wait to see your sex tape in a few years. cya man, hope i helped. basically i didnt but whatever. talk to you on msn. </p>
<p>Raj</p>
<p>Ok.. I'm swaying AGAIN... My first and foremost dream was and IS NYC... So I would think this should really make the choice clear.. It's Barnard. And my heart tells me Barnard.</p>
<p>But Chicago is another dream and another path... and not easy to drop.</p>
<p>"the college experience is pretty much the same everywhere man"</p>
<p>Whoa, 100% untrue. As a transfer student with many transfer friends, I know the college experience can vary DRASTICALLY from school to school, even ones that look similar on paper.</p>
<p>Raj you are so freaking hilarious.. you just reminded me that I take myself too seriously sometimes.. like now.. I should just sleep on it, he happy and chill.</p>
<p>Ok right I'm gonna just chill to some Coldplay.
I guess I'll pick this crazy decision making up tomorrow or somethinggg..</p>
<p>But I'm still swinging like a pendulum lol........ eeekkkk</p>
<p>I'd say definitely go to Chicago, then maybe I'll get off Barnard's waitlist, LOL!!
Seriously though, I think you should do more research about Chicago. Speak to people who go/have gone there, and don't make a final decision til you actually visit the campus. You're all "into" Barnard now after looking into it and getting accepted etc, but in a few weeks time it might lose its novelty and maybe Chicago will sound even more appealing. There's no point worrying about it til you've got all your info.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Hmm...silver_wavez, I'm in a difficult situation as well. I'm trying to decide between Barnard and Swarthmore. I didn't think I'd get into Swat, so I barely considered it. But now that I have the opportunity to go there...I don't know. I think the problem we both have is that we didn't give those other schools enough of a chance, because we didn't think we'd get in. But we need to look at both schools objectively...</p>
<p>Initially, I wanted to go to Barnard because it was in NYC, but now I'm second-guessing myself. I've realized that location SHOULD NOT be a guiding force in where you choose to go. I mean, yeah, it should be something important to you, but if that's the only reason why you'd choose Barnard over Chicago, then...<em>shrugs</em> Chicago is an awesome school, and I think you would thrive in the very intellectual atmosphere there. But definitely visit Chicago, and then make a decision :) Good luck!</p>
<p>Just reading your post, it sounded very much like you wanted Barnard but that you are trying to convince yourself the Chicago is better. I say visit, then go with your gut. Oh, and forget prestige! They're both fantastic places with amazing opportunities! You really can't make a bad decision, but you need to think about it hard and go with your gut so you'll end up at the school where you'll be happiest. (On a side note, my friend at Columbia has somehow managed to get an amazing GPA, party, and go to about a million different concerts and shows in NYC, so it's definitely possible!)</p>