Committed to Berkeley but wondering if I should pursue waitlists at Barnard and Wellesley

College Search & Selection
1

Hi, so I’ve committed to Berkeley, but I’m still trying to decide if I should send continued letters of interest to Barnard and Wellesley.

In the long run, I see how Berkeley might help me in regards to its fame and prestige, but also, the undergraduate experience seems like it would be less individualized. I’ve been considering Barnard for years, as I love the idea of a small liberal arts college and its relationship with Columbia, but my parents say that just because Barnard students are integrated with Columbia doesn’t mean that I’ll reap the benefits of Columbia’s name value while searching for jobs? To them, the name of my college is extremely important. I understand that, but I’m not sure if I should value it as much as they do.

Also, perhaps my love of New York shouldn’t be such a heavy factor, as I could always pursue NYC dreams after college?

I’ve never visited Wellesley, but from the research I’ve done on it I really love it. Some of this indecision might also be caused by the negative things I’ve heard about Berkeley, but at the same time Berkeley seems like a place that would fit my personality and I’m not sure if I should pay all those stereotypes too much mind.

All of this is pretty shallow, I know, and none of it will matter if I don’t get off the waitlist anyways, but right now I’m just stuck on deciding if it’s even worth it to write my waitlist letters (ik I’ve waited way too long for this)

Any insight is welcomed.

Thank you!

2

Sure. Why not. If you have second thoughts apply for wl and see what happens. Does not cost you anything other than some more time waiting.

3

Both of those waitlists are worth pursuing. Are your parents immigrants? If so, that could explain their concern that Barnard isn’t quite up to snuff. They’re wrong of course, but if they will need to be convinced to pay more for Barnard than for Berkeley if you get off the wait list, it could be a tough sell. And Wellesley is in a class by itself. Truly an excellent option. It would be tough to choose between Barnard and Wellesley if you had both acceptances.

So stay on the wait lists. If you get in, and the aid package is affordable, then that would be the time to decide if you like the new option better than Berkeley.