<p>How does Barrett compare to UA’s Honors college in terms of the atmosphere and relation to the rest of the school? I’m currently torn between the two schools because ASU has my intended major (urban planning) but for some reason I’ve always preferred U of A because the traditional college feel and its slightly better academics.</p>
<p>The Barrett Honors College seems too high-pressure for me since I’ve heard that its full of Ivy League-level students that couldn’t get into their dream school despite having the credentials. I don’t know if I would fit in with so many high school superstars who were involved with every school club when I don’t really care about Student Council and the other “leadership” stuff they talk about on their website. The UA Honors College seems to be more integrated into the school whereas Barrett is like it’s own campus in a campus. I like the fact that there is a focus on small classes but also on a big state school feel. However, this is just stuff I’ve picked up from websites and campus tours so my assumptions may be wrong. I just want to go to a school that doesn’t feel too small and separated from the rest of the campus.</p>
<p>As of now I’m high on ASU only because they offer my major. If U of A had an accredited urban planning undergrad degree or even something remotely similar to it (besides geography), I would be heading to Tucson come Fall 2014.</p>
<p>However, I’m not so sure I could even get into Barrett with my stats: 3.88 UW GPA with several Honors and AP classes, 29 ACT Composite, and I’ve volunteered at a few places and joined a club. I don’t really see how I could get a good recommendation since all the Teach For America teachers I had in my AP classes last year will be leaving.</p>
<p>I haven’t gone to either, but I’ve had students who have. Not all Barrett kids are that intense, but you seem to have a good handle on the differences. FWIW, Barrett is much more highly ranked/considered. I wouldn’t necessarily make my choice based on that, though.</p>
<p>I just went down to UofA for orientation on Monday. My dd is in the College of Behavioral Social Sciences and they had Urban Planning listed as a major. I paid close attention to it because that is what my husband does and I thought he would dig it if my dd did it. Not sure if it is accredited though. </p>
<p>In terms of the Honors college vibe I think your instincts are correct. I volunteer with an organization with some Barrett’s students and they always tell me they are the only “normal” people living on the hall floor.</p>
<p>Are you sure it wasn’t the Regional Development major in the Geography department?</p>
<p>[Majors</a> | the School of Geography and Development(SGD) at the University of Arizona](<a href=“http://geography.arizona.edu/node/547]Majors”>Jessica Tierney | School of Geography, Development & Environment)</p>
<p>It’s what I’ll probably be majoring in if I decide to attend U of A but I see that there aren’t many planning or architecture classes required in the major. Thanks for your response!</p>
<p>Nope it was definitely in her college. They have several majors that I noticed are in 2 different colleges. An example is Econ. It is in business and in her college. They said (I was only half paying attention at this point) that it had to do with a core area of study as to which college it would be in.</p>
<p>So is the major is called “Urban Planning” or something else? I can’t seem to find it on the website. Regional Development is the closest and it’s in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences under the School of Geography and Development.</p>
<p>It is College of Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS Undergraduate Majors & Degrees) Urban and Regional Development (BS) Hope that helps. So I guess that is what you found.</p>
<p>I would choose based on your major, as each school has their own strengths and being in honors will only get you so far. For example, for pre-med, I would go with U of A honors, but for engineering, I would go Barrett.</p>
<p>As an incoming Barrett student, I can tell you I’m not super cutthroat. My friends and I are not Ivy League material, more like second and third tier level (NYU, Berkeley, UT Austin, etc). I’d like to think we’re “normal”–we have our quirks but aren’t socially inept or anything. Don’t be intimidated by Barrett students because as much as they think they’re high and mighty (or so I’ve heard), they’re really not. 
Most of the people I met at orientation were laid back, although I will admit some students looked a little intense and were already discussing with their parents about classes and tutoring and whatnot, but I feel like this happens everywhere.</p>
<p>I ultimately did Barrett over U of A because I felt that ASU has a better engineering program, and I liked the Barrett Complex (food & dorms, specifically lol). I was also intrigued by the idea of taking a Harry Potter or a Hunger Games class. :)</p>
<p>Also, I think you fall right in line with the average Barrett student, regarding your stats. So you’ll probably fit right in, anyway. :)</p>
<p>I feel U of A honor kids are pretty involved. They have two assigned dorms on campus but due to a housing shortage we have honors kids are allowed to live in ANY hall, while kids who aren’t in honors can’t live in the two honors halls Arbol de la Vida and Gila. So if you didn’t want to feel “isolated” you could always live in the regular halls, and not all classes are honors level here too.</p>
<p>[Regional</a> Development - Degree Search: Explore the UA’s Degree Plans](<a href=“http://degreesearch.arizona.edu/major/regional-development]Regional”>http://degreesearch.arizona.edu/major/regional-development)</p>
<p>^ Might be the closest official degree. But I want you to take a look at the College of Architecture’s website. They claim to have a general ed program for Planning but the website says zero information. I would try to take the time to call them. Since they offer a Master’s in the program, there is a good chance that they offer a minor or a “specialty” of planning (which is probably that general ed program, I’m taking a very good guess here since they do the same thing with some other things here on campus).</p>
<p><a href=“http://cala.arizona.edu%5B/url%5D”>http://cala.arizona.edu</a></p>
<p>Also, there is an accelerated program for doing the Master’s in Planning after finishing a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, if that interests you. I would call the Architecture department and see what they say about it.</p>
<p>Barrett is definitely not what you might think it is. I think you’ve reached that conclusion from the marketing that they put out, but reality is slightly different. There are absolutely some incredible people in Barrett, but there is a great mixture of all kinds of students, which makes the experience really interesting. You won’t feel out of place if you’re not a super student, and you won’t feel out of place if you are. </p>
<p>Do what is best for your future career, the social aspects are what you make of them.</p>