<p>What comes to your mind when one says, Barnard College and U of Chicago?</p>
<p>And where would you go, and why? (Or what would you tell your children?)</p>
<p>All opinions and comments are needed - from mums, dads, uncles, aunts, grandmas.. everyone - whoever comes on here.</p>
<p>Thank you very much :)</p>
<p>Barnard -- NYC, Columbia, Women's college, very intellectual, wearing black clothes.</p>
<p>U of Chicago-- Chicago, intellectual, quirky, where fun goes to die.</p>
<p>I would tell my child to follow her heart.</p>
<p>Me? While I prefer NYC to Chicago (I hate cold weather and don''t like Chicago's famous wind), I would pick U Chicago because I would not want to go to an all girls school. I know that there are great academic and confidence advantages for women going to girls' schools. I just have always liked having guys in my classes. :)</p>
<p>You've got nice choices. Enjoy!</p>
<p>They're both great schools with justly renowned reputations; there's no reason to choose one over the other on the basis of prestige. They even have rather similar approaches to curriculum, though I believe the University of Chicago's common core is somewhat more intense (which can be a plus or a minus, depending on the student). </p>
<p>If my daughter were deciding between the two, I'd congratulate her and tell her to follow her heart; both options are equally wonderful.</p>
<p>Given how much enthusiasm you had for Columbua, I would think you'll love Barnard,</p>
<p>Lol, wearing black clothes? Where does that come from?? hehe</p>
<p>And "where fun goes to die".... is that really TRUE?
I do have a good balance between "working hard" and "playing hard", but I'm a very social, people person.. and definitely do love to have a good time... I just can't believe that U of C is FULL of people who are nose deep in textbooks...
But so far that's all I've heard.. so would I fit in?
Are these things over exaggerations?</p>
<p>I've never really thought I'd go to a girls' school until Barnard came along.. I've been in a coed school all my life, and definitely need my guys around..
I guess it just makes it that much harder.</p>
<p>I applied to Columbia ED and didn't get in (if this triggers more comments, please feel free).
And I have to say I love NYC so much.. that dictated why I wanted to go to Columbia and Barnard.</p>
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And I have to say I love NYC so much.. that dictated why I wanted to go to Columbia and Barnard.
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<p>Sounds like you know where you want to be... Have a great time in NYC</p>
<p>I don't know if it's still true, but Barnard girls used to be known for always wearing black. </p>
<p>"Where fun goes to die" is what U Chicago students proudly say about their university.</p>
<p>My advice is to go to the web blog Live Journal and look for the U Chicago and Barnard areas. There probably are lots of students from those schools posting with great inside info. If you can't find those areas, perhaps others here can provide more info.</p>
<p>But how can I turn down U of C?</p>
<p>Oh, btw, I want to major in English literature and Art History (I am 90% sure).
And also I was interested in doing the 5 year accelerated program where you get a BA from Barnard and a MA from Columbia.</p>
<p>Oh, and I also need to know.. Career wise, job opportunity wise... (please be candid about this).. what's better/more recognized/gives better opportunities: a UofC degree or a Barnard degree?</p>
<p>And all this about Barnard girls getting the "2nd class treatment" has been something that I've thought about.. and it's a constant topic that comes up not just for me but I find with all girls that go/are going to Barnard (on CC and elsewhere.. everyone always asks)</p>
<p>Northstarmom hits the nail on the head about the common image of the two schools, though they're probably a bit exaggerated; I've seen people at the University of Chicago wearing "Where fun goes to die" T-shirts as a joke. Both schools are academically quite demanding.</p>
<p>And Barnard students take many classes with boys at Columbia (<a href="http://www.barnard.edu/admiss/applying/faq.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.barnard.edu/admiss/applying/faq.html</a>), though the dorms are for women only.</p>
<p>
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Career wise, job opportunity wise... (please be candid about this).. what's better/more recognized/gives better opportunities: a UofC degree or a Barnard degree?
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No difference. Truly (unless the prospective employer happens to be an alum of one or the other).</p>
<p>Hmm.. well I'm a very colourful person and an artist... so although I do love my black tops and the little black dres.. I wear tons of bright colours lol (not that this is relevant but anyhooo lol).</p>
<p>What do you parents think of this.. (I live in Singapore), I'm thinking of (and my Dad wants to) visiting Chicago this weekend.. lol, I know it's very sudden and it's gonna be hectic but I've never been to Chicago.. and this may be a very important step.
But the only thing is, I have my final IB exams in 3 weeks... I know it's risky but...... what do you think?</p>
<p>Go to Chicago! I wanted to suggest a visit, but thought it probably wouldn't be feasible from Singapore. Your choice will be clear once you've seen both schools. (I'm assuming you've already been to New York? If not, or if you haven't specifically visited Barnard, it would be great if you could squeeze in a quick trip there too.) </p>
<p>Your finals will be OK--you can study on the plane--but don't miss this opportunity to see the University of Chicago for yourself. Stay overnight in a dorm if you can. And have fun ;).</p>
<p>I will definitely visit. I don't think NYC can be fit on a tight schedule of 3 days.... I don't want to miss too much school cus I have IB exams soon.
I've been to NYC and seen Columbia and a bit of Barnard so I think I know what I think of all that.
So yeh, just Chicago... maybe I'll love it... I can't really tell till I go there.</p>
<p>Remember that Barnard is an "all girls school" in name only. You can take classes at Columbia, and Columbia students can take classes at Barnard. Each college uses the others' facilities. They're right across the street from each other (practically). So that shouldn't be a factor in your decision.</p>
<p>I know how much you love NY, but don't write off Chicago. It's a fabulous city -- think NY, but smaller, more manageable, and with people who make eye contact. Chicago has fantastic art. The Chicago Art Institute is world class, and there are many, many more museums and private galleries. And the U of C has an excellent art history department (don't know about English there.)</p>
<p>Yeh I know all of that.. taking classes at Columbia etc.
Now I guess the only thing that conerns me is of this so called Columbia arrogance (CC girls vs. BC girls) .. and this issue has been addressed over and over again on the Barnard thread, and elsewhere.... </p>
<p>I just keep hearing... from Columbia Uni graduates and Columbia Uni students.. that there IS a difference. And of course there is, between Barnard college and Columbia college.
And the first thing this guy from CU said was, "Barnard college is well, inferior to CC or SEAS"
I have friends at all 3 colleges and I know that it probably won't be a huge deal, but someone said to me it takes only one nasty comment to ruin your day. I guess I've kinda avoided it up till now, but now that I have another option that I really like, I have to address my concern of being "2nd tier" or whatever. I would like to be able to hold my head up high as a Barnard student... but if there's this constant rivalry, looking down on, or whatever it is... I don't know how I'd take that (cus of my personality)</p>
<p>Yeh one of the art teachers at my school is from Chicago Art Institute.. I think I'll go speak to him tomorrow for some insight as well.
Can U of C students take courses there?
I'm heavily into art and photography.</p>
<p>Oh, and on a sidenote, what is the dance program like at U of C?
And again, the thing that I'm concerned about with U of C is the student sterotypes (and every college guidebook backs up this stereotype image).. the people I know at U of C kinda fit this 'type' too. I know I'm really not like that, I'm scared I won't meet lots of people like me. And I wanted to join a sorority at Barnard... I duno what the greek life is like in U of C</p>
<p>Go to the school that you most love. When it comes to career opportunities, both are very strong. They have great reputations, and are in cities that can give you lots of connections and panache.</p>
<p>It really sounds like you like Barnard. Follow your heart.</p>
<p>You can't do badly at either. (But having been a grad student at UChicago, and taught undergrads, I'd go to Barnard - especially since I'm a guy! ;))</p>
<p>mini, what were you a grad student in?</p>
<p>(sorry to hijack the thread!)</p>