<p>First, why early decision? In doing so you might forego any chance of comparing financial aid from a variety of different schools. My comments will assume that money is not an issue - that you will have no problem paying your costs at either college.</p>
<p>You should consider visiting both campuses - actually, if you visit Barnard you should also just walk across the street and visit Columbia as well. While social scene is one thing to consider when considering colleges, it should not be your main consideration. What are your academic and professional interests and which college can meet those interests the best?</p>
<p>Talk to NYU students, if you can, and find out what they like and dislike about their school. What does your sister like and dislike - what do her friends think? Do they know anyone who started at NYU and left - what were the reasons? Both NYU and Barnard have their strengths - it depends on your personality and goals. Both are excellent schools in NYC. You are lucky in that regardless of which school you go to - NYU or Barnard, you already have a sister at in the city who can give you lots of good advice and information. Talk to her and see what she thinks.</p>
<p>We did tour NYU, and there is one thing that is an obvious difference - the neighborhood where each school is located. Barnard is on the upper west side, and has a different feel and vibe than where NYC is located, which is lower Manhattan. Barnard and Columbia have campuses that are closer to the ‘traditional’ college campus. In fact, Barnard’s is a gated campus, and at night only two entrances are open and there are guards at each entrance overseeing who comes and goes. Security is very good on Barnard’s campus, including in the dorms. The quad area has four dorms, and this area is very nice, private.</p>
<p>I can only share thoughts on Barnard. My daughter is in her first year at Barnard. She had no problem registering for a class at Columbia, which she is now taking and enjoying. She has made two very good friends who are Columbia students. She now writes for the Columbia student newspaper and is part of the staff. Barnard students easily join and participate in each other’s clubs. For athletics, it is Columbia that has the teams, and Barnard students can try out and participate. The two schools are across the street from each other, easy access. So at least from my daughter’s experience during her first semester at Barnard, it seems that students from Columbia and Barnard can easily socialize, take courses at each other’s schools, and participate in extra curriculars seamlessly.</p>
<p>Barnard has the specific focus of helping women to excel in their field of study and profession. There seems to be a real personal approach to their students. Each student is assigned to a faculty advisor whose role is to check in on the student to see how things are going, and to advise the student on course of study and opportunities of interest for the student. I’ve only been on campus once, but, I have emailed many Barnard administrative staff, who have always responded in a friendly and helpful manner. It is a very small student population - about 2400 total students. With that, there are lots of opportunities for personalized attention from administration and staff, and also making friends.</p>
<p>Barnard is a small liberal arts college in the midst of a great American city that is international in scope, with access to an even larger campus - Columbia - and all it has to offer. Barnard is an all women’s school, so keep that in mind. However, because the two schools have their partnership relationship, it is not a problem for Barnard women to meet male Columbia students.</p>
<p>The subway stops right where Columbia and Barnard campuses begin - at 116th and Broadway, so it is very convenient for students to hop on the subway and get to where they want. The neighborhood is quite beautiful and scenic - lots of green space. It has a cohesive campus feel to it.</p>
<p>Carefully assess your own personality type, and your preparedness for living in a city as large as NYC. If you like the idea of a small campus with lots of opportunity for individualized attention and help from staff, with unlimited access to a much larger one, then Barnard would get the point for that criterion. Perhaps make a list of pros and cons.</p>
<p>The bottom line is your college experience, where ever you go, depends on what you make of it. It might be harder than you expected, but if you put in the hard work, it will all turn out, no matter where you go. You are very fortunate to be considering NYU or Barnard, both excellent schools in a fantastic city. Not many students are in the position you find yourself in.</p>