Barnard vs. NYU...help me choose?

<p>Hi. I am currently at Lehigh Uni in PA and I do not like it. I won’t go into why, that would take up too much space! It was never my first choice but I got in and got a TON of aid. So…being the proactive person I am I applied to transfer! I applied to NYU and Barnard for Fall 2005 admissions because a) I love NY. My sister lives there, I’ve been a ton of times etc. etc. So no questions about location. b) I know they are both strong schools academically, and the students are, for the most part, interested in their education and don’t feel like they “have to be there” as students in high school (and Lehigh) do. c) There should be some kind of social life. By that I mean, people I can be good friends with, extracurrics to get involved with plus a city bigger than a village. Now, this is my dilemma: I got accepted to NYU (yay) BUT got an awful aid package ($21,000 for a school that costs more than $44,000 a year, and there’s no way on this earth my mom could pay for ANY of it, and I am not willing to take out over $20,000 in loans per year). However, my older sister says if we have to we will make it work (yes, she’s amazing). Now, I have not yet heard from Barnard but I applied as a freshmen and got waitlisted, my sister is an alumna, I got a 4.0GPA in my first semester at Lehigh and great teacher recs. So I’m hoping for a decent chance of getting in. So let’s say I do, and disregarding the aid for a moment (even though I know Barnard is better for aid than NYU) WHERE SHOULD I GO?! I’ve read a lot of posts on this amazing website but, being selfish, I was hoping for some personal answers. I am looking to major in History with minors in Classical Civilization and English. If anyone has any advice or comments I would be so grateful. Thanks a million and good luck to everyone.</p>

<p>Both are great schools, but Barnard with access to Columbia probably has the academic edge in terms of professor reputations and student achievement /intellectuality and would likely be better for your subject areas as grad school prep. The other factor is that NYU has no self-contained campus, so the options for "college community feeling" are fewer. Students disperse more all over the city. But if you see yourself as a downtown-Village type who would rather be nearer to artistic happenings and hanging out in coffee houses, NYU is better for you. Also you should not go to Barnard if the idea of belonging to a "community of women" does not appeal to you, NYU would be a coed experience 24/7. Barnard gives you ivory tower with easy access to the City. NYU is in and of Greenwich Village. Hope that helps.</p>

<p>I lived most of my life in NYC and have frequented both campuses over the years although I did not graduate from either school.</p>

<p>Thanks for the info! I probably won't be going to grad school actually but it's good to know Barnard is good for History etc. I definitely want to be able to make friends quickly so I guess living on a campus would be easier. I've visited the Barnard campus and I do like that's self-contained with no traffic going through it (unlike Lehigh!). I would never apply to an all-women's college in the middle of nowhere, but Barnard is fine because Columbia is next door and the women <em>seem</em> less competitive/hardcore? At least, my sister and all her Barnard friends are totally normal but wonderful, bright women. Thanks again!</p>

<p>i'm having the exact same problem. except i'm not a transfer.</p>