<p>Academically, which school, BC or Barnard is better? By better, I mean has a better academic reputation and is looked more favorably upon by graduate schools and employers.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the help!</p>
<p>Omg, I've been having the same dilemna because on my college list they're both my first choice! I'm sorry I can't answer because my answer would be biased..I love both! Lol : )</p>
<p>I really don't have particular insight into the reputation of BC, but I can say that making the choice of where to attend college based upon "reputation" is not the best idea. Both schools are fine institutions, but offer very different experiences I imagine. Be sure to visit both, talk to current students and then make your decision based upon which suits you better.</p>
<p>Having graduated from Barnard (long ago) and having visited BC with my daughter in recent years, I'll tell you this--BC is very Catholic and strongly community-oriented. Barnard is a better fit for the individualist and the person who is catholic with the small "c".</p>
<p>Continuing on with the topic raised in Post #4: Boston College is heavily Catholic & more conservative than Barnard; Barnard College is liberal with a significant number of Jewish students &, of course, is a single sex school. Both are outstanding academically. My impression is that a visit to both would reveal very different campus cultures leading to a clear decision.</p>
<p>Another NJ Mom- I love your comparison! I guess that's a better way of putting things into perspective in terms of BC & Barnard.</p>
<p>I am going to broach the politeness exhibited by everyone else here in favor of honesty. I am pretty sure the academics at Barnard are more rigorous than at BC. In fact, most Barnard women find Barnard courses more rigorous than their Columbia courses.</p>
<p>This is not to detract from the advantages or education of BC, but Barnard is VERY academic.</p>
<p>Barnard is indeed very academic, but Boston College has a better football team.</p>
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Barnard is indeed very academic, but Boston College has a better football team.
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<p>Absolutely true, Mardad! :)</p>
<p>Mardad, Barnard was undefeated in football this year.</p>
<p>Another nod to Barnard's academics over BC's.</p>
<p>Barnard is nearly a hybrid, with all the advantages of a womens college but with a co-ed university across the street and easy & seamless cross-registration, subject to availability of classes.
Columbia was originally my D's #1 on paper and after visiting she did not apply, but she did apply (and was accepted but did not attend) Barnard. She saw a lot to like in Barnard.</p>
<p>While these two schools may line up in similar tiers of ratings to me they are VERY different schools .... student body, politics and policies of the school, location, etc. I'd be pretty surprised if someone who visited both still considered them equals ... I would think one would "fit" much better than the other for any applicant.</p>
<p>TD, long time, no see.</p>
<p>I agree with Togo - having visited friends at BC I think it is a very different school in many ways and I am surprised two people are decided between the two. Have you visited both? What do you see as their common attractions ? I think the student body and social scene at the two are very very different. IMO, of the Boston schools, Tufts or Brandeis are more like Barnard.</p>
<p>MarDad, I'm trying to come back regularly. I've found myself at several parties talking about CC and thought, "I need to read/post more regularly." Life is very busy but I'm trying to make at least one pass a day. The women's colleges are a particular niche I want to pay attention to, along with Amherst.</p>
<p>Good to see you. Time flies. You may not realize but my D graduated last May...oh my.</p>
<p>Btw, I also find BC and Barnard an almost odd pairing. Agree about Tufts.</p>
<p>Well, as a liberal Jew, I prefer Barnard. But I have a friend who goes to BC and loves it. So, really, it depends on the person. :)</p>
<p>Well, TheDad, I want to give you a shout out too. My D graduates this year.</p>
<p>But S is still a soph.</p>
<p>Hi, MM. A side note: Fwiw, my experience was that the <em>real</em> empty nest was after D graduated. YMMV, but it may become "interesting" when your S graduates....</p>
<p>I realize these two schools are very different but I want to be in a city and BC has always been a top choice for me. However, I've recently decided I would love to be in New York and Barnard seems really liberal and more creative which seems great to me. I know the schools are different but I kinda fit into both. My high school was very similar to BC so BC was a comfort choice I think and Barnard is probably more me. I got into BC early action and was ecstatic but now I'm realizing how great Barnard is and hope I get RD.</p>
<p>Congrats on the BC admit and good luck with Barnard RD! If you do end up with a choice between the two I stongly recommend visits with overnights in the dorms ... I'd guess the two visits will feel quite different ... and one will feel more comfortable.</p>