<p>A few days ago I was accepted to study Modern Languages at Oxford University. I am so excited and honored, but there is a catch: I am in love with Barnard College. </p>
<p>Quick explanation as to why I’m “counting eggs before they hatch” regarding Barnard - I have until mid-April to tell Oxford of my decision, so I will only have a few days to decide between the two if Barnard does accept me, so that’s why I’m trying to figure this out now. Of course, if Barnard rejects me, the decision will be easy!</p>
<p>Does anyone have any idea of what I should do? I love Barnard. I want to study there. But I also think it would be amazing to be in the UK, and Oxford has the whole “name” factor. I don’t know which is better, small class size or one-on-one tutoring sessions? A variety of courses or extensive work in one subject?</p>
<p>Ugh. I really don’t know what to do and am so very afraid of making the wrong decision and regretting it :(</p>
<p>OP, let me just say one thing right off the bat: you will not regret your decision. both of those colleges are amazing, and when you finally enter one, you should find your niche and be happy. that’s how it works out most of the time. so stop worrying you won’t even remember this indecisiveness by this time next year.</p>
<p>this is really a personal decision on what you prefer. another point to consider is that Oxford is more in a suburb (though you could travel to London often enough quite easily) while Barnard is in NYC. if yuo got into Oxford, I’m guessing you went for an interview? if not you should REALLY VISIT before committing. you can’t really percieve life in another country before living there, but visiting at least gives you a taste.</p>
<p>dont barnard students get columbia degrees?? dont think the name factor will play a huge role if thats the case. u sound like u wanna study in barnard. id say if ur accepted u should study there. i mean ur not gonna get whatever u want outta college if u dont wanna be there. if that didnt make sense sorry but good luck.</p>
<p>The City of Oxford, as the name tells, is a city. (Or town, by US standards.) Its not a suburb of London, ROLF - there’s a whole lot of farmland between Oxford and London. (The same applies to Cambridge, btw. It’s not like Evaston, IL which is technically a suburb of Chicago, but more like Ann Arbor, which is about an hour from Detroit, but no way can be considered a suburb.)</p>
<p>Anyway, the educational systems, as the OP pointed out, differ significantly. Oxford and Barnard are, needless to say, hardly comparable in terms of prestige (or anything, really) but Columbia and Oxford are. The experience and the environment cannot be more different the middle of Manhattan or the dreaming spires of a medieval university. On the whole, Columbia is more grad, while Oxford is more undergrad oriented, but as youll be at Barnard, such differences might not apply.</p>
<p>You cant go wrong with either the fact that youve got into Oxford proves that youre an exceptional student, as getting into Oxbridge from the US (for undergrad) is hard as hell :)</p>
<p>I have no personal experience with Oxford at all, so would not assume I could make any sort of intelligent or helpful observations in that regard (unlike other posters who also have no personal experience with Barnard or Columbia and feel they can make all kinds of “observations”. )</p>
<p>However, I will say that Columbia is, indeed, more “grad” oriented in that it is a large research university. One very unique characteristic of Barnard, however, is precisely that relationship it shares with Columbia. Truly, Barnard students have the experience and benefit of a “small”, exclusive Liberal Arts College undergrad experience----but with the resources of Columbia at hand. Including a more broad selection of classes, extracurricular activities, and research opportunities readily available. </p>
<p>The OP would seem to have a lot of research to do before acceptances are sent out in March…including, hopefully, in-person visits to the various schools, if at all possible.</p>
<p>this is what I thought too, but even though barnard has a lot of independence, it does seem to be part of columbia. when I went for my interview there was a huge metal sign up that said “barnard college of columbia university.” when my dad asked the admissions office, she said that barnard is a part of columbia. the degree has columbia on it too. barnard students take classes at columbia and vice versa too, so it really isn’t any different anyways.</p>
<p>The core curriculum at Columbia is very different from Barnard’s 9 Ways of Knowing, but the schools are very integrated in many ways. Columbia University consists of 4 colleges: SEAS (engineering), GS (General Studies… more non traditional students), Columbia College, and Barnard.</p>
<p>From Oxford web site: “There are over 21,000 students at Oxford, including 11,752 undergraduates and 9,621 postgraduates.” Pretty evenly divided.</p>
<p>(I’m pretty sure that the OP must have been invited to attend one of the 38 independent, self-governing colleges that make up Oxford University. Barnard, of course, is an independent, self-governing college that is part of Columbia University.)</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your responses! Yes, I was accepted to one of the smaller Oxford colleges to study Modern Languages. </p>
<p>Here are the pros and cons, as I see them. Please let me know if you have anything to add!
Oxford:
Beautiful, not too large city
More individual time with profs (tutorial system)
In depth learning of one subject, sort of like grad school
Slightly cheaper tuition, even as an international student
Not much freedom to explore subjects outside of language.
Drinking age 18 (heh)
Possibly difficult transition (moving to another country)</p>
<p>Barnard:
9 Ways of knowing, explore lots of subjects
Access to Columbia
NYC (but I don’t much like New York)
All girls school (I don’t mind)
Great arts program
Really good alumni community</p>
<p>I prefer Oxford’s location, Barnard’s freedom to take lots of different classes, Oxford’s depth you achieve in one subject, Barnard’s all-girl system, Oxford’s amount of time with profs…</p>
<p>I live in a small, rural town (South) and am not sure how well I’d do in NYC. </p>
<p>Still not decided, but thank you all so much once again!
P</p>
<p>At some point after your college career is over and you’re out and about looking for a job the prestige of your education, like it or not, will play a big factor. In that category alone: Oxford > Barnard. The only thing that Barnard wins in is location. I hardly think you want to limit your future just because you wanted to live in NYC for four years. </p>
<p>Barnard is great and I myself hope and pray that I will get accepted this year. However, be rational about this. Oxford definitely sounds like a wonderful choice. (As does Barnard!) I think wherever you go you will not regret it. </p>
<p>For your type of major you definitely want intense, indepth focus. You shouldn’t compromise a good education for a chance to live in NYC. Though you did say you prefer Oxford’s location… Honestly, if I were you, I would choose Oxford. </p>
<p>“Prestige” is not a particular good basis on which to choose a college. It gets old rather quickly once you end up at whatever “prestigious” university you have landed in, take a look around, and realize that there are a few thousand other students attending the same school. </p>
<p>To the OP: if I were your mom, I’d be looking at your personal level of maturity, self-discipline, and self-reliance. The Oxford system simply puts a lot more responsibility on your shoulders, which can be especially difficult for student attending from abroad. (The British students can go home for the weekend; you can’t). </p>
<p>You really can’t go wrong with either choice. I’d suggest that you try to find a way to connect with other Americans who are attending or have recently attended Oxford as undergrads, to get a sense of the challenges they might have faced.</p>
<p>“I’m pretty sure that the OP must have been invited to attend one of the 38 independent, self-governing colleges that make up Oxford University. Barnard, of course, is an independent, self-governing college that is part of Columbia University”</p>
<p>The relations between Oxford and its colleges are vastly different from that of Barnard and Columbia. To start with, all the Oxbridge colleges were founded to be integral parts of the university, which is not the case with Barnard. Theres virtually no difference in the college admissions at Oxford, but the same cannot be said about Barnard and Columbia. Upon graduating, theres also no difference in prestige, which appears not the case with Columbia and Barnard. I have to confess my insufficient familiarity with Barnard, but after reading a bit on the subject, it now it seems for me that theres indeed a massive difference between a BA at Columbia University, and a BA at Barnard College, Columbia University. For a start, Barnard has an acceptance rate of 24.9%, versus the 7% of Columbia.</p>
<p>BTW, Im yet to meet a single Oxon undergrad who goes home for the weekend during term time.</p>
I would remove the word “possibly” there I’m not saying that it can’t be worth it, just that it’ll be hard. how hard varies from person to person</p>
<p>
I’m guessing you already factored in any financial aid? because the price American colleges state is not the price you pay (unless you’re in the top 1% richest families in America)
also consider the price of airplane tickets and how many times you plan to visit home. they’re ridiculously expensive</p>
<p>
my cousin used to commute from London. not the same as dorming and then going home, but still</p>
you won’t even remember this indecisiveness by this time next year.</p>
)</p>
I’m not saying that it can’t be worth it, just that it’ll be hard. how hard varies from person to person</p>