| Barnard: much better advising; more individual attention in classes; no "core"; rather, a much more flexible basic academic requirement based around the "nine ways of knowing"; very rigorous academics for both, though my d seems to feel that Barnard is more so than Columbia (at least for the biological sciences, which are her thing);
Columbia: bigger classes (though you could take classes at Barnard); the Core which is inflexible and will take up a great deal of your time (though many say they like the core and look forward to the common thread it weaves amongst CC students); advising at CC is reportedly dismal;
You have equal access in both schools to all clubs, sports and other assorted campus activities. Housing is handled differently in both, but my d has fared better in Barnard housing than most of her CC friends (though Barnard students CAN apply to live in Columbia housing and Columbia can apply to live in Barnard...yes, even boys).
All said, the biggest difference is the Core and the advising, I would think. |