I’m applying as a freshman for the fall of 2017 and I’ve narrowed down my top two choices to Barnard and Wellesley. I really love both colleges and I’m trying to decide which I should apply ED for, if either. I know that at Barnard I’ll be in a huge city, which I would love, and I would get to use all of Columbia’s resources. On the other hand, Wellesley is known to be more highly ranked academically and I could participate in D3 athletics. I think I’m just mostly scared that I’ll apply this fall and end up at the “wrong school” (even though you can’t go wrong, really). Any advice on how I should go about applying and/or how I should figure out which school is best for me?
Have you visited both schools?
If I heard correctly today, New York City’s crime rate (already the lowest of any large U.S. city) has dropped for 26 straight years. This may be a particularly auspicious time to be considering Barnard.
Yes, and I liked them both equally, which is what’s making this super hard 
Well, I think that’s a great argument for not applying ED. Why don’t you just apply RD to both? Gives you more time to decide and compare some financial aid packages, and potentially visit.
My general feeling is that there is little handholding at Columbia - if you get sick, you are on your own, if you quit going to class, your roomies/doormmates are concerned but admin is not. Many, many temptations besides academics in the Big Apple.
If you would like more admin input, choose Wellesley. Do your grad work at Columbia.
That said, they are both fine choice for the right person.
Well take it this way: Barnard is connected with Columbia, and Wellesley is connected with MIT (and sometimes Harvard).
Barnard and Wellesley are both on/near large cities, and surrounded by events and things to do all the time. Wellesley, however, is obviously a little more difficult to get to said places, but they are accessible (and free/cheap for the most part).
On the other hand, it’s just as the comment above states: would you like to go to a school that would be a smaller community, with a little more guidance, or a place that let’s you go to do as you’d like? Also, remember to research what you would like as a prospective major, and then go with that as well – both schools, while similar, do have different strengths after all!
If they are head to head in the race, I agree that you should look at your potential major choices and then consider location and proximity to the places you will want to go…is one closer to your home or closer to the place you might want to do internships?
Barnard’s ranking is meaningless. US News doesn’t factor in Columbia’s vast resources. In a sense, if you believe US News, Barnard women also attend one of the top 5 universities in the country.
Not knowing much about you, it’s hard to make a recommendation. Depending on your interests and personality, one might be better than the other. That said, my personal bias is toward Wellesley. Three generations of the brightest women in my family went to Barnard and none had a wonderful experience though they did get an excellent education. My childhood BFF went to Wellesley and loved it and is now one of the top attorneys in CA. Wellesley alumnae always seem to light up when they talk about Wellesley.
Barnard College (of Columbia University) is an incredible institution. I am a little biased, but based on actual fact Barnard’s academics are as strong or stronger than Wellesley’s (however, Barnard’s acceptance rate is half of Wellesley so that’s important if admission is playing into your decision). New York City has a wealth of opportunities, and you will actually come to realize here that you are a part of the Columbia community. The school is much more connected to all sorts of activities and internships, and the people you meet here (not just women) are incredible. I’m Barnard 2020 so please feel free to contact me with more questions!
Both are great women’s colleges, with equal prestige in my opinion. If you want to attend school in a big city, then Barnard might be a better choice. Wellesley is a stunningly beautiful, quiet campus in an affluent suburban town. Getting in and out of Boston is cheap and easy with Exchange buses, as well as a commuter rail, but it’s a 40 minute ride. Just to clarify a comment above, obviously Barnard is affiliated with Columbia – the campuses are intertwined and your degree is from the University, however, the link between Wellesley and MIT is not as strong as many would like you to think. There is cross registration between the schools, and Wellesley students may also attend classes at nearby Babson and Olin. There is also an extremely small 5-year dual-degree program with MIT that is highly competitive, and extremely difficult to achieve – academically and logistically. There is a similar program at Olin. There is no official relationship with Harvard. And, I would think there is much more handholding at Wellesley.
@Earthmama68 - Like your family, mine also sent its brightest women to Barnard over four generations. They each went on to be leading figures in their respective fields at a time when women were virtually absent from professional life. They all remained steadfast supporters of Barnard throughout their lifetimes. I owe everything I am professionally to Barnard. My daughter transferred from a top 10 school to attend Barnard and loves it. Barnard has a wonderfully supportive, close, and intellectually vibrant community. Its professors are mentors as well as leaders in their fields of study. In addition, all of the resources of Columbia are available to Barnard students, and vice versa. So the advantages of being in a small women’s liberal arts college with access to the resources of a leading research university, on the beautiful upper westside of Manhattan, are clear and abundant to anyone who feels that environment is a place where she will thrive.
If you want a women’s college then choose W. If you want an Ivy U choose B.
@jayunch Barnard’s relationship with Columbia is very different from Wellesley’s with Harvard and MIT. Barnard degrees are conferred by Columbia and they share facilities and faculties. There is no guaranteed cross-registration with Harvard and MIT.