<p>I’m currently at Northwestern in the college and music school and really miserable. My sister just graduated from Barnard and I love the school. I keep asking myself why I didn’t apply early decision to Barnard originally. I went to NU to be different from my sis but Barnard would have been a good fit for me too. The classes and students are more interesting and receptive than NU’s. Can apply for admission into the winter semester? or is there any early decision for transfer students?</p>
<p>I just checked Barnard's admissions site and here is it what it says in response to "can I transfer to Barnard after just one semester at another school?"</p>
<p>"No. Students are eligible to transfer if they will bring a minimum of 25 credits from another institution, and have completed one full academic year at another institution before enrolling at Barnard College. Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credit or summer college work completed during high school is not credited towards the 25 credit minimum requirement but credit will be granted, if appropriate, once a student has enrolled at Barnard."</p>
<p>My suggestion: look around and try to find something at Northwestern that interests and excites you. Find a place to be connected so that you are stimulated and challenged. Grow and learn and make friends. You are there for a reason, even if it is only for a year. Barnard will be impressed if you do those things, but if you allow yourself to languish you may come to regret it.</p>
<p>Much easier said than done, I know, but I have faith that you can do it!</p>
<p>Best to you!</p>
<p>well, for one thing the campus isn't that safe. there's a homeless shelter a mile away and instances last year of a man entering girls' dorm rooms at night. I'm also double degree with the music school but dropped my theory classes because they are taught by TAs who aren't even working towards a doctorate. one of the TAs just graduated from columbia and took the same music classes with my sister who just graduated from barnard. so why am i paying all this money when i could easily be taught the stuff from my sister. classes are also kind of boring when they shouldn't be. the school's a little to big for me and the midwest is a change. i'm from CA and although NU is diverse, the different ethnic groups never intermingle with another (which is strange for me) also, i would rather be closer to the city because evanston frankly just sucks. well enough of my gripes. i should have just ED to barnard so i would've been forced to go there, especially since i love it so much.</p>
<p>Chickie, if you are worried about the homeless shelter "a mile away" -- have you taken a look at a map of manhattan? I think Harlem is a lot closer to Barnard/Columbia than a mile. </p>
<p>I do have the impression that Morningside Heights is very safe and that dorm security is pretty good -- but I know that my daughter spends a lot of time of campus for socializing/entertainment (such as going to see a show or movie), so she obviously is spending plenty of time walking around or on the subway. I'm sure she has figured which areas to avoid -- I honestly haven't even asked her because I think it would be second nature to a San Franciscan, as you can easily walk a few blocks in SF and shift from a very upscale neighborhood to a very seamy one, so you just learn to be alert to your surroundings. </p>
<p>But while I see Barnard as safe enough for my street-smart daughter, your comment about the homeless shelter makes me wonder if it would meet your comfort level.</p>
<p>i have spent a lot of time at barnard with my sister and they are excellent about security and the area has greatly improved. They have a guard at the gate and a desk attendant 24 hrs to check IDs. Last year at NU, a man walked into 16 girls' rooms at night before he was caught.</p>
<p>I also can't even go to the practice rooms or library when its dark, which proves a problem when i have class all day. so when do i get to practice?
the area of harlem above barnard also seems a lot safer merely because there are more people around than in downtown evanston</p>
<p>Yeah, having people around is a huge help. I always felt perfectly fine visiting my boyfriend's place at 151st and Amsterdam, even at night, since there'd be families and old men and women hanging out on the stoops. Maybe it's unreasonable, but I think it's a lot less likely to be mugged or raped or whatever in full view of a dozen people.</p>