<p>My best friend went to Barnard and said it was just like being part of columbia, just not. They have access to all of columbia's courses, facilities and opportunities but also offer the smaller class setting that your daughter might prefer. Clearly Skidmore and Barnard are totally different living experiences but I would not classify Skidmore as rural (like Colgate) but small town. It's pretty sophisitcated and very pretty and very amenable to the arts. Way prettier than Poughkeepsie. Haverford is very small, much loved by the students who go there but they are of a particular type. Go visit all of your choices and she'll have a much better idea. Start travelling, it's the most fun part of the process!</p>