| Academics are either the same or better (after spending 4 days visiting my d. at Barnard, attending a class and talking to her suite mates about their studies, I can't imagine the academics possibly being "better" anywhere else - though I am sure there are many peer institutions where they are equal) - but I think that the social atmosphere or "feel" of the campuses is probably very different.
So the real question is do you want an urban campus where social life and activities tend to take place off campus, or do you prefer a suburban campus with more of a sense of campus life?
Also, how do you feel about the all woman's environment? Given the location and affiliate with Columbia, Barnard is probably a better option for someone who feels somewhat doubtful or ambivalent about the idea.
Barnard is really a hybrid, both in terms of the women's college/coed university issue and the LAC vs. large research university model -- the good part of that is that you have the benefits of both, the downside is that you deal with whatever negatives you might associated with either along the way. |