- Regarding employability of GS vs Columbia College students=basically the same. It's all Columbia to the vast world, minus the one or two people who sometimes get prickly about the fact that There Are Differences! No matter how minimal those differences are . . . . and frankly in the world of literature and theater, who cares where you went to school? The question is: Do you have the goods to succeed?
- You were very lucky to get into Columbia. You were also really lucky to get into MHC. It's a great school too.
- Regarding MHC vs GS--It seems that one huge difference that many people have overlooked is that Columbia is in the City of theater. Theater is a local industry and a big one in NYC. Does that justify the cost? If you were my child, I would say: Go to MHC and use the extra money to go into the City during your summers to do internships in theater. Start networking out from there to land your first job(s). You could probably sublet rooms of Columbia students and profs who have left for the summer. Come into the City a few weekends and look for flyers around the campus for sublets and so on. There are several other colleges like NYU that offer sublet fodder. MHC gives you the option of taking classes at the various other colleges in the area and probably participating in theater activities with friends you make at the larger array of campuses, in addition to what's offered at MHC. The Seven Sisters definitely have their own in-group. You would have access to that connection. "Oh you went to Barnard? I was MHC!" Ditto with Bryn Mawr and Vassar (cousin now not sister) etc. You trade one Old World Charm (that of Columbia) with another Old World Charm (that of the 7 sisters). Which one is better? Please, talk among yourselves and let me know.
If you’re going to major in English, and your parents are willing to cover the extra costs of Columbia, I’d recommend you attend GS. Then again, I am basing this of the slightest amount of knowledge I have of your situation - there are always extenuating circumstances, variables, etc. to consider in these decisions, so only you will know what is ultimately best. Having said that, as a Columbia GS student, you will receive the exact same education and take the same courses as those in Columbia College. In a post on a different thread I mentioned that I have heard of some cases in which employers were aware of the differences between GS and the other schools, and slightly discriminated against GS for this reason (differing admissions standards). However, such incidents always occurred with the more prestigious industries and jobs, such as I-banking and finance. In your case, as an English major, I do not envision you encountering any obstacles down the line. In fact, I know of someone who attended Columbia GS and is now at a very prestigious school attaining a PhD in English. The poster above me makes a valid point, although. As an English major, regardless of which school you attend, your job prospects are limited across the board. Unless you plan on teaching English at a secondary school/college level, I’d advise evaluating your job prospects to begin with.
I’d actually like to get an MFA in Acting probably (I know, job prospects are slim). Or maybe playwriting, but either of those aren’t bankable at all and will also be expensive, unless I can miraculously find a funded MFA.
I’m not exactly planning to study engineering or to pursue a Phd in English to become a professor, although that could maybe happen.
Leaning towards MHC at this point, but will take some time to figure out what I could be missing out on at GS. For some reason I feel like I would leave Columbia having worked harder and learned more?
Splitting hairs at this point a little bit.
If you believe you’ll be interested in a Master’s degree – not a bad idea if your BA is in English and you don’t want to work in journalism or as a teacher – then I think the “prestige” difference is minimized somewhat because it’s not like a school district across the country will be looking at your resume and thinking “Mount What?” Adcoms at every reputable grad school will know the quality of MHC quite well.
Being in NYC does put you (literally) a few miles from all the awesome Broadway action. But as another poster stated, you could spend summers in it still, if you’re at MHC.
I don’t see a wrong choice here, honestly, assuming you can afford Columbia with either no debt or low debt.
You’ve said you prefer the thought of rural life. Test that: visit the schools, if you can, and try to not just “walk around” – try to “look for” certain things that interest you or that might be important to you.
OP did write in #5 that Columbia “definitely wouldn’t be easy on the finances”, which is presumably what is holding her back from choosing Columbia.
Mount Holyoke. You will have so many opportunities – expanded by the 5 college consortium-- and will be able to really shine without distraction (and $/making rent/financial problems in your family is a huge distraction!). Columbia will still be there, as will NYC or any other city, for MFA. Think of the two years as being for you. Good luck!