<p>What comes to your mind when one says, Barnard College and U of Chicago?</p>
<p>And where would you go, and why?</p>
<p>All opinions and comments are needed - from both guys and girls.. Thanks
I'm incredibly torn about this decision :(</p>
<p>And if you don't mind, could you also read: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=48923%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=48923</a> </p>
<p>Thank you so much</p>
<p>Silver, I remember you well from the ED days, and if I was in your place, I would most likely attend the U of Chicago. IMO, U of Chicago is a better known and more prestigious college than Barnard, although both are extremely good schools. I also know that you loved Columbia, to a point that was borderline unhealthy :P, and if I was in your place I would avoid Barnard for fear of fealing that I never "really" made it to Columbia, especially with it being in such close proximity. I myself was waitlisted at the U of Chicago, and I am a guy so obviously I couldnt attend Barnard, but those were my two cents. Good luck in your decision!</p>
<p>I would pick chicago too.
It's best to make a clean break with CU, and NYC. Plus, UChi is an exceptional place from what I've heard, people there have a unique tilt on life (just consider the essay questions they ask in the application). Chicago is not a bad city either, and you may come to like it more than NYC.
In some fields, UChicago really is among the pioneers/the best, and there's a lot of random things its students do to give the university a particular feel (look up the Chicago scavenger hunt, not for the faint of heart)
Good luck with whatever you choose . . .</p>
<p>davidpien, where are you going? Aren't you going to Columbia?
Thank you for your lil comment.
I am swaying like crazy lol.. (I think I'm just a very dramatic at times OTT person.. that experiences intense human emotion lol)</p>
<p>But yeh, I know what you mean.. about feeling like I never "really" made it to Columbia. And that is true. I just find it hard discarding Barnard because I'm soo emotionally attached to the school. Especially having made some amazing connections with Barnard girls, out of the '09-ers as well.
Also, ED was 4 months ago, so I really did get over it. And I came to really like Barnard for what it is and what it offers. And it's crazy cus when I talk to my Barnard friends - they are like what is there to think about !!! COME HERE! It really is the best of both worlds, you get all the advantages!!!! So this makes it AGAIN very hard.
My parents, however, have the same views as you 2, they think a "clean break with CU" may be just what I need.
How "important" is "prestige" though?</p>
<p>546mp, are you a guy as well? And where are you thinking of attending?
Yeh the essays I think pretty much sum it up. But I had an awesome time writing their essays. Unlike other applications, Chicago's app. really made me "think" (something they celebrate) and dig deep. I loved writing that Mustard essay, I think it was my best.
And in terms of NYC...well I totally love it, and I haven't been to Chicago yet.. so, I don't know.. But umm, NYC has been my dream for absolutely ages, that is another reason why I find it hard to discard. But having said that, I know that there is a strong chance that I can end up in NYC, with a job or whatever.. I don't think I'd "end up" in Chicago.. if it's not for undergrad.
But thinking that I'll never experience NYC as a poor undergrad student also breaks my heart.</p>
<p>Right now, I just got off the phone with my admissions officer from Chicago. We had a really nice long conversation, and once I got off the phone with her (and of course she is biased I know..) I felt more comfortable with Chicago. And it does seem like a place I'd like... It's just that I'm STILL concerned with the whole thing about "where fun goes to die" and all of that "geek school" image...</p>
<p>In what I want to major in (english, art history), I think both schools are very strong in it. I've heard though that Chicago has a brilliant english dept.</p>
<p>Oh and this is minor.. but I just get the general impression that I like Columbia guys more than Chicago guys LOLZ!!!
I duno, aren't Columbia guys just a bit cuuter? lol c o l l e g e p r o w l e r .com says Chicago guys are a C- overall, while Columbia guys are a B-.
And come on.. guys ARE a just a littleee teeenny weeenny bit of a factor when it comes to decision making!</p>
<p>but thank you both of you for your comments! Definitely something for me to think about..</p>
<p>Anymore opinions?</p>
<p>I totally loved UChicago when I was there. I know some interesting and cool people there, not the average teenager cool, but people who have exciting personalities. I like the look of the campus, too, and the academics are rated above other top schools. </p>
<p>Some students from my school who will end up at Yale or Stanford next year were making fun of Chicago last semester for accepting 44% (have I said in the past that I hate this type of person? I do. A lot.). I ignored them because they deserve to be ignored. Chicago is a great school and you can be almost sure that you'll work hard for your As or Cs there. The classes mean more there than they do at Harvard. It's terrible, but in my mind I don't even value a Harvard degree any more. So Chicago is great. </p>
<p>On the other hand, there's a lot to value at Barnard, as well. You also said you're into dance? Columbia looks to Barnard for dance instruction, so it should be a pretty big program. I don't know anything about it, though. There is a lot of art to see in NYC, too, visual and performing. Chicago has a lot of that to offer, as well, but NYC is still bigger and a major city of the world. One big difference between the two in terms of seeing art in the city and using the city's resources: Chicago is not exactly IN the city. Barnard makes the rest of the city much more accessible with a subway right there, and it's really easy. When I was at Chicago, I remember taking a taxi for a fairly long ride on a highway out of Chicago the city in order to get to the university. I took a subway to Northwestern from the city, which wasn't bad at all, but getting to UChicago was a little trickier as I remember. But I imagine you'll be able to get to the city from UChicago pretty easily with arrangements that the university makes and with other transportation that is there, but Barnard transportation is just that much easier. </p>
<p>You have a lot to think about. Good luck. If I had been accepted to Columbia and UChicago (might have been an issue if I had applied RD or EA), I would choose Columbia. I would also pick Northwestern over UChicago, but my college list was chosen with really specific requirements. Though I like lots of schools a whole lot, certain details of other schools (such as Northwestern's amazing cello teacher) make a big difference for me. Maybe there's a dance teacher or something that will make the difference for you. Ay, sorry, I know my college selection process really doesn't apply to other people.</p>
<p>My brother might transfer to UChicago next year. Two of his best friends go there now, and they're both really interesting people and not geeky at all.</p>
<p>Thanks jono, your comments were very valuable :)
I guess if I choose UoC I won't see you on campus. Are you a guy or a girl? (A guy right?), and you got in Columbia ED?
With me as well, if it was between Columbia and Chicago, I would choose Columbia because of NYC (I don't think I'd have doubts). But Chicago the school itself sounds amazing.. Hence why I'm having sucha difficult time.. I probably am repeating myself a million times now.. But I feel so lost and confused, and annoyed at myself that I can't say that one is more for me than the other.</p>
<p>And why does your brother want to transfer to Uchicago? Where is he now? His two friends love it obviously (I'm assuming)...
I just went on s t u d e n t s r e v i e w . c o m.. and there's such good positive comments for both schools.
and only one nasty comment for either school.
why is this so harrrdd :( I hope I get a clear sign in the next few weeks...
I take comfort in knowing that whatever I choose I know it'll be a great choice.</p>
<p>I'm a guy, accepted to Columbia ED. Chicago was on my list, though, because I liked it so much when I visited, and I also knew that UChicago would pay for music lessons if I got a teacher, so finding a teacher would be the only thing for me to worry about.</p>
<p>My brother wants to transfer there from UConn Honors because he says he isn't working hard enough where he is. He wants more work. His friends do love it and have probably been encouraging him to apply there. He's gonna major in classics, and that might be another reason he wants to transfer to Chicago, for their classics department.</p>
<p>Silver, I was planning on going to NYU, U of Chicago or Columba (deferred ED). I got into Columbia and NYU so I'm going to Columbia next year. I can understand your "minor" point, I am a pretty hot guy :P and you'll definetly miss out on me at the U of Chicago!
Seriously though, you sound like a person who will thrive no matter where you end up, so I'm sure that you'll be happy at either school. It's a toughie, and I dunno what else I can say other than good luck! If you do end up at Barnard keep in touch, we'll go out to lunch one day ;)</p>
<p>oh and Jono, where in CT are you? I'm also from CT, I live in Farmington.</p>
<p>davidpien - the thing is... that Chicago admits students based heavily on who they are and THE UNIQUE ESSAYS.. and after speaking to my admissions officer it was confirmed to me that I KNOW I WOULD FIT IN THERE PERFECTLY TOO! Which makes this so difficult..
I think I'd love it at both places.. and I think I love both places..
What does one do? :(
Lol, as for lunch? Sounds great haha!! How bout just coffee first?</p>
<p>The 5 year accelerated program for the BA and MA makes Barnard slightly more attractive to me. And of course the littttttllle minnnooorrr factor of you know what makes Barnard slight more attractive.
But I wonder if that will all match up and over take the appeal of Chicago's rigorous academics... the way it will make me think, how I'll be able to come out of there thinking WOW that was just so worth it! Because after all, I did apply to Chicago because I do love to 'think' and everything else that is there philosophy.
I'm not saying that Barnard isn't rigorous.. it's just that Chicago is KNOWN to reallllyy stimulate you and encourage all of this thinking etc.
As far as the Chicago prestige or whatever goes..I'm not sure if that will be BIG deciding factor for me at the end of the day.</p>
<p>yeah i can see and understand both points...you've got me stumped!</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity, why do only guys answer this thread.. and no future Columbian girls?</p>
<p>and davidpien - what do you think of NYU and U of C, since you got into NYU and w at UoC... I got into NYU too, but I just ruled it out immediately cus I disliked it when I visited. But this email from that Vivian Cipolla woman now makes me think should I consider NYU too?
But I know for SURE (well at least I think that now) that I would choose Barnard over NYU.. but the Barnard vs. UoC is really confusing me.... so maybe just escape both? LOL... I dunno, it's just really bugging me right now!!!! :(</p>
<p>I suggest you do an experiment with yourself.</p>
<p>Flip a coin and assign sides to a particular school. Pretend the side face up when it lands decides where you go to school next year.</p>
<p>See what happens when you see what side is face up. With any luck there will be a gut reaction. Don't think too hard about it at first. If a gut reaction comes, then you can think about that.</p>
<p>Alternatively, you could have someone else flip a coin with assigned sides for schools. . . and then the person could hold back the answer. As you're waiting for the person to tell you what school it is, hopefully with some suspense building up, what are you feeling? Before the experiment, keep thinking about the schools and researching them to try and remove some insecurity.</p>
<p>Lol, my friends have told me to do this.. and I did it... once with heads being Barnard, and the second time with heads being Chicago.
I made 3 of my friends flip the coin for me. Twice it came out heads first and tails second... ie. BARNARD.
The 3rd friend got tails first and tails second = Chicago, Barnard.</p>
<p>And I couldn't really pinpoint my gut reaction.
When I got the 2 sequences of Barnard, in a way I was kind of relieved to find out that that is reallyl my fate.
But when I got that one Chicago (tails) it didn't disappoint me or anything...</p>
<p>Silver, after being deferred from Columbia ED, I pretty much set my hopes on NYU, and I actually began to really love the school. The whole "no campus" thing seems to be an issue for many, but for me it wasn't a problem at all. After all, what's the point of being in NYC if your gated off on campus? (aka Fordham) The dorms at NYU are really nice and the people seem really cool. However, the issue came down to, how much is an NYU education worth? My family was totally cool with paying 40k plus for a well known and academically intensive school, but whether or not NYU is worth 40k+ per year is one issue many students bring up on websites such as studentreviews.com.
NYU ended up giving me a decent amount of scholarship money, and even now as I am preparing to attend Columbia there is a little pang of regret...NYU and Greenwich village are really an amazing place to live and learn.</p>
<p>As for the U of Chicago, I haven't visited the Campus since I live pretty far away. (I was planning to visit if I got in.) However, I believe the education one can get at the U of Chicago is really on par with some of the best schools in the country. It's known to be academically rigorous and really intense. One thing that turned me off is the "nerdy" chicago kid image. I still want to have fun in college, not necessarily party for 4 years, but still enjoy myself. I was worried that if i went to chicago i would end up in an overly competitive academic atmosphere....kind of like my uber competitive high school is now.......haha. But again, I haven't visited the school so I'm not really a good judge of what its like.</p>
<p>hmmm.. <em>still in dilemma</em></p>
<p>Thanks for your comments boys...
It was interesting :)</p>
<p>If anyone else wants to enlighten me.. please feel free.
But to be honest, I think I've milked advice from EVERYONE for everything it's worth.. it's now up to me..</p>
<p>Thank you again :D</p>
<p>Hopefully, by the very last day of April, the answer will come to me naturally!!</p>
<p>Cheersss!!</p>