<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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<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>