<p>Hey everyone .
I'm kind of in the dilemma of choosing a college (this great dilemma I am so grateful to have the chance to be in). At this point I'm sort of leaning towards Barnard with Wellesley very close by and I love Smith too (mainly because of STRIDE). I would be really grateful if any students or parents could share insight on Wellesley to help me make my decision.</p>
<p>I'm interested in Biology (genetic engineering & biotech) and Creative Writing. I would probably like to have theater and journalism as ECs so I would love it if someone could share their experience with those things at Wellesley.</p>
<p>Also, how does Wellesley's gorgeous campus shape the experience?
How is Wellesley's graduate school placement?Better than Smith's or Barnard's?</p>
<p>How often do Wellesley students get the time to visit Boston?Is every weekend very inconvenient?How challenging is the coursework?Is Smith's STRIDE the best work-study you could get?</p>
<p>Hi! So I can’t answer a lot of your questions, because I don’t know that much about Smith/Barnard BUT I can answer your question about Boston. I have several friends who attend Wellesley and they ALWAYS go into Boston on the weekends. I know that the academic load at Wellesley is really rigorous, but they seem to manage their time well, and as a result manage to have LOTS of fun too! I chose Wellesley for various reasons, one of which being the amazing city of Boston. I thought about Smith briefly but then threw it out because it was too small town for me. Western Mass wasn’t what I was looking for. And though Barnard is also an amazing school, with the appeal of Columbia classes, it is RIGHT in the city, and at W you can cross register at MIT. I wanted to have easy access to a city for times when I wasn’t working, but still have a place that was a little quieter and felt really safe for times when I was. Good luck making your choice!</p>
<p>That sounds great :)!My sister lives in Boston and I wanted to see if I could visit her often. Yes, I have that small college concern about Smith too.</p>
<p>I read somewhere (I don’t remember where) that it’s inconvenient to register at MIT since it’s 30 minutes away and only left-over classes are available to non-MIT students…?I have no idea how much truth is in there though.</p>
<p>I don’t know the stats but I’m sure that all three of these schools do just fine with grad school placement. </p>
<p>Realistically, it’s going to take about 40 minutes to an hour to get into Boston/ Cambridge on the Peter Pan Shuttle. Some Wellesley students visit Boston/ Cambridge all the time, while others… not so much. In order to register at MIT, Wellesley students need to show up at the first day of class to see if their is room. Obviously, MIT students get priority. Wellesley is a demanding school. Students generally find a studying/ socializing/ extracurricular combination that works for them. </p>
<p>Which school feels “right” to you? Have you visited all three of them? Do you want a more urban or rural experience? </p>
<p>Generally speaking an “urban school” will have have less of a campus/ community feel, because the city becomes your campus. Students are more likely to have off campus jobs/ internships during the school year, which is good for “getting experience,” but possibly makes it harder to connect with people if everyone else is running in 32 opposite directions off campus. </p>
<p>At Wellesley (and presumably Smith) there is a strong honor code, and a more isolated community. This means that at a non urban school like Smith or Wellesley you will be able to leave your stuff unattended in the library without worrying it will be stolen. People are less likely to lock doors. Wellesley students who live on campus can get into any dorm. (At urban schools you generally have to live there to be able to access the dorm with your campus ID. Thus, to enter any dorm that isn’t yours you usually have to call a friend who lives there to come claim you.)</p>
<p>When you look back on your college experience do you want to remember time in NYC with your friends or participating in one of the many traditions with your college community. </p>
<p>Really, you can’t go wrong with any of your choices.</p>
<p>@as5thouj45- could you explain your reasoning? I’m curious. : )</p>
<p>to everyone else- on a completely superficial level, how would you rate the prestige of these colleges? My mom basically equates Smith with my state university. Huh. My family loves Wellesley because they’re Taiwanese and very familiar with the name because of Madame Chiang Kai Shek.
Sorry Shadowhunter, I felt like I could tack this question on. Good luck deciding!</p>
<p>^I’ve been accepted to Smith and Wellesley (Waiting on Barnard), and Wellesley definitely gets more of the “Wow!” factor among the people I’ve told. Barnard would probably be second due to it’s connection with Columbia but I’m not sure.</p>
<p>Oh right.
To add my two cents, I’ve been reading Barnard vs Smith vs Wellesley threads since December, and I really think it’s a matter of your personality and preference when it comes to women’s colleges, especially if you’re deciding between Barnard and Wellesley. They’re vastly different communities. I’ll love one college one day and have doubts the next, but I think, finally, Wellesley’s come out on top. </p>
<p>Although there are compelling arguments in the opposite, I like that Wellesley’s it’s own place and not the vague we’re-part-of-Columbia-but-not-really thing that Barnard’s got going on. I also feel as if Wellesley’s community and alumna network is so much tighter.
You’re probably also drawn to Barnard because of the city, right? I don’t know if you live near NYC, but if you do, I think you’ll agree with me that the glitz and glamor wears off fast? I love the city-- I live 30~45 minutes away, and although I go there occasionally on weekends, I can’t imagine spending four years there; it’s so busy and overwhelming. I don’t think I’d get too much work done, either.</p>
<p>But see, it’s all a matter of personal preference. If you’re a city person, by all means, go for it. Like many have suggested, definitely visit if you can!</p>
<p>By the way, for some reason, it looks like Smith’s and Barnard’s boards on CC get so much more activity that Wellesley’s. Maybe that says something about the quality of education… but apparently Wellesley students basically hang out in their own online network. Just letting you know- sometimes I feel that CC can be very biased.</p>
<p>Thanks Kenzie. That’s the reaction I’ve been getting. Also, hopefully you’ll get your decision on Monday! : )</p>
<p>^Wellesley is my top choice at this point as well, so I’m not really too concerned about what Barnard comes back with I’m more anxiously checking my mailbox for Wellesley FA than for the Barnard decision, haha. So if the money comes through, I may see you there next year! :D</p>
<p>Wellesley alum speaking here, so I can’t make any comparisons with the Smith or Barnard campuses because I never visited or attended there as a student. </p>
<p>I wanted to give my perspective as someone who has now been out of college for a few years. Honestly - really and truly - you don’t have a bad option between the 3. The things you’re asking about in terms of majors and grad school placement - excellent for all three schools and really not worth the time and anxiety in trying to split hairs between them.</p>
<p>It’s now all about personal fit for you. Urban vs. suburban vs. more rural/small town. Which do you prefer? What’s important to you? </p>
<p>I personally liked Wellesley’s location - far enough away from Boston to have our own community and identity, but close enough to take advantage of all that it offered. I went into the city fairly often. Not every weekend, but I went to museums, shows, ate at great restaurants, and generally liked exploring Boston. I didn’t have a car on campus, but didn’t feel at a disadvantage for getting into the city. Plus, driving and parking in Boston SUCKS.</p>
<p>If you have the opportunity to visit the different campuses, do. I think that will give you the best “feel” for each school. But if that’s not possible, be comfortable knowing that when it comes down to it, you can’t make a bad decision between the 3 schools.</p>
I’m more anxiously checking my mailbox for Wellesley FA than for the Barnard decision, haha. So if the money comes through, I may see you there next year! :D</p>