Hi! I have recently been accepted as a Fall 2018 Transfer Student to both Barnard and Tufts which is wonderful news, and I’m extremely excited by both places. I am very conflicted about where to go next year and would appreciate ANY advice, pros, cons, questions, concerns, and experiences about either/both schools.
A bit about me:
I am originally from NYC and spent the first 18 years of my life living on the Upper West Side before taking a gap year (spent in Ecuador and DC) and eventually landing at Oberlin College. I am currently finishing up my freshman year at Oberlin as a Political Science major. I feel confident that I’ll study Political Science wherever I end up, and am interested in attending law school post-undergrad. I’m also interested in getting involved in music (acapella??? maybe???), working with kids in some capacity, and doing some sort of political/legal/social services work while in school. I currently teach citizenship classes to Spanish speakers studying for the U.S. Citizenship Exam, and would love to do something similar wherever I end up.
I have NO interest in joining greek life, but other than that I’m open to most experiences. Please share any thoughts with me. As my username indicates, I’m very conflicted about where to transfer.
You’ve lived in NYC so you know if you want to be there or Boston. I usually counsel folks to try something new for college, but that’s my bias. If you are interested in being a “global citizen”, and you want a school with a capella groups, Jumbo is calling you! If you want to do anything in child study, Tufts is good for that too.
Both great options and you can’t go wrong either way , but to me, your interests suggest Tufts would be a terrific fit.
Thank you! This is all super helpful 
Agree with the above. Given your interests, Tufts sounds great. Admittedly, I don’t know much about Barnard (and I’m also a rising sophomore at Tufts, so I may be a bit biased).
Just fyi, I had zero interest in Greek life before coming to Tufts, but I’m rushing next semester. Just pointing out that preferences do change, so keep that in mind too!
Good luck with your decision you can’t make a wrong choice
Thank you @Tufts2021 ! As a current Tufts student: How often to you go into Boston? Do you feel as though the school is very separate from the city, or more like a part of it?
I go into Boston most weekends. I’d say that the school feels more separate from Boston, but that’s because it has squares like Davis Square/ Medford Square/ Teele Square walking-distance from campus. However, at the same time, you can hop on the T and be in the city within 15-20 minutes. Really, you can make campus feel like part of the city if you want it to, or you can make it feel like it’s own little community too.
What is it that you didn’t like about Oberlin? Knowing that may help with your decision
@wisteria100 I am unhappy with how homogenous and isolated the school feels and I’m looking for a place with more diversity in thought, less of a constantly “chill” vibe, and access to a city
If you choose Barnard, that means you are coming back to your hometown. Is that OK with you?
@HiToWaMom I think so…the idea of being close to my family/friends is very comforting to me, and I think that knowing the physical space will make the transition a bit smoother. That being said, I believe that there is great value in learning and growing in a new environment, and do not want to limit myself by returning to NYC
Thanks @Tufts2021. I think I’ll definitely make use of the city if I end up at Tufts
I hope someone can give you good advise regarding each school’s curriculum and strength. I don’t know much about Tufts. However, I think you will be happy at either school. Barnard is a tiny bit more diverse than Tufts but not too much. From my D’s school, really good nice kids (typical all-American well-rounded type) have gone to Tufts and more edgy pointy girls (you know what I mean?) went to Barnard. But that’s just our school. Good luck!!
Tufts:
White 57.8%
Asian 11.2%
Hispanic 6.3%
Black 3.9%
Intn’l 9.1%
Other
Barnard:
White: 53.1%
Asian 14%
Hispanic 11.6%
Black 6.8%
Intn’l 8.4%
Other
Oberlin:
White 68.1%
Hispanic 7.7%
Intn’l 7.9%
Asian and Black 9.3%
Other
@HiToWaMom Thanks, I’ve never considered putting the diversity stats side-by-side, but it’s very helpful. I definitely want to be in a place that celebrates diversity (of all kinds). I think I’m one of those “edgy point girls” you’re talking about, and I’m leaning towards Barnard
@conflicted1234 Hey! I was hoping to transfer to Barnard. Is it true what they say about the need bias?