<p>I’m deciding between Barnard and Wellesley, yes I know I don’t have much time. So basically, why is Barnard better?</p>
<p>i sortof debated between applying ED to barnard and wellesley; it wasn't much of a debate for me, because as soon as i set foot on barnard i just knew this was home. i think both schools elicit that reaction from a lot of people. have you visited? because the visit could definitely help.
if you have visited and are torn between the awesomeness of new york city and the beauty of wellesley's campus, well.. at barnard, you can basically filter the guys in your life. if you want no boys, fine. if you want lots of them, just go across the street! you don't get that kind of choice at wellesley. the thing is that at barnard, boys are.. secondary. academics come first here, closeknit friendships with strong beautiful barnard women a close second, internships third, and boys somewhere in the very distant fourth. (as a general rule.) when visiting each school, i found barnard students to be more fun, more independent, more artsy, less stuckup than wellesley girls.
i am a women's studies major, and the program at barnard is much stronger, and more appealing to my concentration (international health) than wellesley's. if you know what you are majoring in, you could compare the departments at each school.
ultimately though, the schools are so similar that the choice comes down to new york city or wellesley mass. the city will still be here when you graduate. but i can't imagine going to college anywhere but in manhattan. there are always friends to be made in the park, on the subway, adventures to be had, internships to be explored, exciting things happen here! boston just doesn't have that same spark, and neither does being half an hour outside of boston.</p>
<p>To add to that, I found Barnard much more laid back and cooperative than most other schools I know about (Wellesley not one of them, but I've heard secondhand it's pretty tense and competitive). When people stress about grades, it's usually, "Ugh, I did so much worse than I expected. I'm disappointed in myself," not, "Ugh, I did so much worse than everyone else. I hate them!"</p>
<p>Also, this is just my perception, but I've always seen Barnard as a spunkier, sassier school (than most, not just W). Strong-willed, creative, determined, individuals. Like Barnard students are fighters (but NOT *****es, that's not what I mean at all). I wanted to be a part of that tradition, and I'm endlessly proud of my ties to the school and everyone associated with it.</p>
<p>So those are a couple of other benefits I found in Barnard. Whichever school appeals to you is the one to go with. If you choose that way, you'll be happy and successful wherever you end up.</p>
<p>Edit: oops, pardon my profanity!</p>
<p>My daughter had the same choice. She chose Barnard based on the feel of the place and of course on being in New York. She thought Wellesley was more uptight and that the Wellesley students participating in the accepted student weekend had anticipated every possible question and had preplanned answers while Barnard students more spontaneous and energetic.</p>