Barnard vs. Northwestern???

College Search & Selection
1

<p>HELP PLEASE!!! I have about three days until my dad wants to put in my deposit for whichever college I choose, and I just can't decide between these two. I had assumed that I would be going to Northwestern, because I heard that Barnard gave really stingy financial aid packages, but now I've got near equal EFCs (expected family contributions) at each school. I love NW's campus and that it's a Big 10 school (I'm from a small town in the upper midwest), but I've been daydreaming about going to NYC since I was about 4, and I like that Barnard is a women's college. I've visited both schools twice now (and stayed overnight at Barnard), but they're just so different that I can't even really compare them.</p>

<p>Northwestern is bigger, with some pretty competitive enrichment programs that interest me (although I'm worried that I wouldn't get in), and it's right next to Chicago, which would still give me the the access to a large city that I wanted from whichever college I chose. It feels pretty safe, like I know I'd be able to mesh there and do well, but I'm not sure if feeling that comfortable is a good thing.</p>

<p>Barnard, on the other hand, is much smaller, but it is in the largest (and quite possibly best) city in the country and would give me access to Columbia, right across the street. There aren't as many specialized programs that interest me, but I think that that might be because going to Barnard is kind of like being in a specialized program already, taking into consideration its size and the fact that it's a women's college. I'm worried, though, that I wouldn't be able to find people on the east coast that I would mesh well with, and it feels like I might head to Barnard and find out that no one there really has a personality that complements my own.</p>

<p>NYC would DEFINITELY be my first choice of location, but I'm just really afraid of going so far away from home to Barnard and feeling alone and isolated, or feeling like I'm not getting the most out of my college experience in general. However, if I choose Northwestern, I'm scared that I'll never break out of my little midwestern box and grow as a person the way that I want to in college.</p>

<p>So, now I'm turning things over to all of you... should I stay closer to home at Northwestern? should jump straight into the deep end at Barnard?</p>

<p>***ANYTHING that anyone has to say about either school's general atmosphere, academics, social life, etc. would be just as welcome as advice specifically pertaining to my thoughts above.</p>

<p>Thanks! :)</p>

2

<p>If the costs are the same, Barnard, because it would be a much bigger adventure.</p>

<p>Back in the last century, I left my Midwestern hometown for one of the other “sister” colleges, so I do understand your trepidation. However from the tone of your post, I think that you really do want to jump into the deep end. One thing that you need to remember is that Barnard accepted you. This means that they believe you are a good fit for them, and that you can be successful there.</p>

<p>Barnard has its own forum here, and there also is a more general forum for the women’s colleges. Take a look at some of the threads in those forums, and see what you think:
[Barnard</a> College - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/barnard-college/]Barnard”>Barnard College - College Confidential Forums)
[Women’s</a> Colleges - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/womens-colleges/]Women’s”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/womens-colleges/)</p>

3

<p>You just have to decide what’s in your heart, ultimately.</p>

<p>It largely depends on how you personally weigh the various unique characteristics of each school. Barrnard is right smack in NYC, it is actually a city school. The city is highly prominent, which is great for those who want to be there, but as a result campus life is likely relatively less prominent. Northwestern is in a suburb,I presume it has a more traditional campus-based feel. The city is quite readily available, but you are not actually in it. Northwestern is actually coed, in the dorms presumably, and does not have an affiliate relationship with Columbia obviously. </p>

<p>If you are a very independent type whose passion is to explore New York City, Barnard is the choice. If you more want the traditional campus-based college experience, Northwestern is the choice. If you can’t decide- well sorry, that’s not an option, you have to.</p>

4

<p>These are incredibly different schools so I think you have to look deeply for what you want. Barnard can be a much more intense place in terms of the social makeup of the student body, and NYC schools don’t foster as much campus culture. In some way the Barnard students I have met seemed more like graduate students in their intensity and lack of interest in "the college experience"l (think dark rimmed glasses). On the other hand I can see Barnard students never wanting the social environment a school like Northwestern offers. Barnard also seems very focused on academics, the school is tiny geographically and life seems to revolve more around classwork and activities than typical “fun.” So it depends, are you enamored with “college” or does a more intense, feminist, experience intrigue you. Personally I think you can always live in New York, (I would guess a significant portion of NU grads move to NYC after college) so I would pick Northwestern but this is just my own bias. </p>

<p>In terms of prestige etc I don’t think there’s too much of a difference - both are great.</p>