<p>I'm a first year at Barnard College in New York City and I'm thinking about transferring to USC for sophomore year and beyond. I've got a Barnard vs. USC list going, but I was wondering if you guys have any insight. I'm really nervous about thinking of changing to a completely different school just after I've gotten accustomed to the one I am at (even though I'm not that happy here).</p>
<p>Any thoughts??</p>
<p>Here's the list I have right now...</p>
<p>Barnard Pro:
-NEW YORK
-internships, internships, internships
-Columbia classes
-lots of activities
-good economics program
-discount Broadway tickets
-bartending/babysitting program
-grants for unpaid internships
-small campus, plus Columbia
-public transportation
-good FinAid package - only pay $7800 for the year
-tunnels for winter</p>
<p>Barnard Con:
-dinky theatre facilities
-old building, under renovation
-construction
-all girl dorms
-small campus
-stupid name
-northern attitudes/girls
-no microwaves in on-campus dorms
-complete culture shock
-no Walmart
-not that technically up to date
-organic foods
-no school spirit
-pretentious people
-4 hour plane ride
-NO name recognition
-I hate my roommates
-One place to eat
-they lied about it being easy to make guy friends</p>
<p>USC Pro:
-laidback attitude
-good name recognition
-any class I want to take
-great double major program
-pretty campus, with space
-they have chains; Target, Walmart
-boys
-internships
-advert/comm. classes
-great weather, supposedly
-diversity
-decent money - only $11,000 for the year (when I applied as a freshman)
-good dorm room layouts
-good dining variety on-campus
-good theatre facilities
-overall entertainment is important to them
-great teachers/guest lecturers/alumni connections
-general education reqs
-3 hour flight home
-ocean
-not as much culture shock
-changing and developing
-good endowment
-public transportation
-actual sports teams
-good school spirit
-jesse is 30 min</p>
<p>USC Con:
-its not NEW YORK
-not familiar with LA
-did not see the dorm rooms
-public transportation
-everything is spread out
-not as many theatre internships
-LA isnt a theatre city
-worst money of the bunch $11,000
-not greatest neighborhood
-LA traffic
-buy a car in california
-the hassle of transferring</p>
<p>PS: I think I've discovered that I'm most interested in English, Theatre, Communications, Television aspectual majors (yes, i know that's not a word)</p>
<p>Given how long your "USC Pro" list is, it sounds like you should at the very least apply. It's not as big a hassle applying for transfer as it is from high school.</p>
<p>It is a fairly big deal changing schools, but most of the time, it doesn't interfere too much, and if it makes your last 3 years significantly better than the 1st, then it would be worth it.</p>
<p>It's looks like you've given this quite a bit of thought so I'd suggest at least applying. I know several transfers who love their decision to come to USC. I also have several friends at Barnard who love it their. Going by you're interests, it seems like you should stay in NY but as far as having the complete college experience and getting away from the East Coast mentality/lifestyle, I can see why USC appeals to you.
Although it's still you're first semester and you're still settling in. Have you joined any clubs/sports teams? Keeping yourself busy will also keep you away from your roommates that you don't like. As far as name recognition, what do you need it for? Besides, you can always say you go to Columbia...and I think the diplomas even say Columbia on them. I say try to schedule several classes at Columbia next semester and get involved with the student gov (which I believe is associated w/ Columbia) because that way you'll have a better balance between males/females.
So I say apply but keep an open mind next semester and make the best of your college experience, regardless of the college.</p>
<p>This is difficult for me, since I'm biased (I'm from NYC) and I also go to USC. Barnard is a great school (though oddly, a lot of people I know who go there insist that they're at "Columbia"). But if you really don't feel comfortable there (or don't fit in), I'd say go for it! Interestingly, it took me a really long time to make a CA/NY decision: NYU vs. USC for me. </p>
<p>Your listed "USC Cons":
It’s not NEW YORK (well I'll give you that one)
Not familiar with LA (it should only take you a few days to get familiar)
Did not see the dorm rooms (go to TrojanHousing's website)
Public transportation (well it's car country...)
Everything is spread out (LA, yes, but certainly not the campus)
Not as many theatre internships (I don't know)
LA isn’t a theatre city (USC has fabulous programs going on all the time)
Worst money of the bunch $11,000 (Can't answer that)
Not greatest neighborhood (true, but not as bad as many say. Be NYC street smart and you'll be fine)
LA traffic (it depends on how far out you want to go)
Buy a car in california (A lot are split on this one, but I'm getting one next year)
The hassle of transferring (if you really dislike Barnard, you should do it)</p>
<p>You mentioned a lack of "school spirit" over at Barnard; you'll get plenty over here!</p>
<p>I guess I could have put in there that I originally from Texas. So I don't really have a big problem with adjusting to new circumstances. I knew from the get go that New York would be a harder adjustment than LA. </p>
<p>I've had a car since I was 16. Driving doesn't bother me, but I really like the walking in New York. </p>
<p>As far as Wal-Mart/Target thing: I'm from Texas. Absolutely everything is a chain store. I buy my groceries from the Neighborhood Wal-Mart and I buy clothes at Target. When I got to New York, I didn't really know where to buy anything. I know we pretty much have EVERYTHING. But there are those places where people know to go, I am still not in the know. </p>
<p>Regarding involvement; I went especially (at least more than a lot of people on my floor) out of my way to get involved. I auditioned for the Columbia Vocal Groups, I'm a producer on Columbia Television's SOFA (an entertainment critique show), I work at Media Services for my Work Study job, I did publicity for the Columbia Musical Theatre's production of Pippin, and I got a job 3 nights a week at Toys R Us in Times Square. </p>
<p>I've made quite a bit of effort to get involved and even when I do, I don't really like the people I'm working with. The whole north eastern teenage girls are really "arrrgh." </p>
<p>I'm taking 2 or 3 classes at Columbia next semester, but there are quite a few now in my Barnard classes. Its hilarious because they think it will be easier and they end up taking it Pass/Fail because they are doing so badly. </p>
<p>As for name recognition. It's just really hard being at a good school and no one knowing what you're talking about. I started saying that I go to Columbia just because they know what it is. Our diplomas say Barnard College of Columbia University (a lot of CU students aren't happy about that). It is just frustrating, knowing you go to a great school but no one has ever heard of it. </p>
<p>I think I'll definitely apply. My main concern is that whatever college-y stuff I hate about Barnard, I'll hate at USC too.</p>
<p>In terms of name recognition, that depends entirely on who you would ask, I think. </p>
<p>Certainly the atmosphere out here is very different from the east coast (and I don't just mean the weather :)), and you're right, people are a lot more laid back. USC and Barnard are probably polar opposites, though to be honest I don't really know a whole lot about Barnard/Columbia.</p>
<p>Since people are bringing up name recognition, where do you see yourself after college? Do you think you'll be working/living/going to grad school out West or back East?</p>
<p>If you're planning on staying out there, the USC name will carry WAY more weight than Barnard.</p>