USC vs Barnard????

College Search & Selection
1

I was just accepted to USC and Barnard, and I’m really struggling to figure out which to attend. I got into both as a biology major, but the end goal at USC is to switch into biomedical engineering. At Barnard, I would do a five year program and major in biochemistry at Barnard and get a biomedical engineering masters degree at Columbia.

Basically I’m struggling because I really wanted to go to USC and experience the west coast since I’ve never lived there. I was so looking forward to living in LA bc I don’t see myself ever living there after college. I like the idea of going to a huge school with insane school spirit and sports and parties (I’ve grown up attending various small international schools and have never had that kind of school experience). At USC, I’d also be able to minor in their business school which is a plus.

But Barnard has that really close-knit community, and what seems like a better program, along with the perks of living in NYC (even though I’ve already lived on the east coast, and I love change). Also everyone I’ve ever spoken to says they “see me” at Barnard.

As for USC, I’m just worried about its reputation (with the whole scandal and all). But I feel like I’ll end up on the east coast to pursue my mba later anyway and I want to experience cali at some point you know? And if they’re both great schools than does it matter??

Any help would be SO very appreciated. thank uuuuuuu

2

I would go to Barnard and take a summer or two working on the West Coast. NYC has so much to offer. Barnard – that close-knit community that you described. Also, women’s colleges are very helpful for women going into STEM fields. Women at coed schools tend to drop engineering while women at women’s colleges tend to stay in it. In general women’s colleges disproportionately graduate path-breaking and barrier-breaking women, in STEM and other fields.

NYC is amazing in terms of what it can offer your education. Also, by having a subway system directly outside the gates of Barnard means that you can cheaply and easily reach wherever you want to go. CU/Barnard provide low-price and free entry to many of the cultural events in the city, above the several discounted and free events that happen daily there.