In regards to Barnard vs Wellesley, I think location is an important factor to look at as well (besides school resources, fit, and etc). I lived abroad in big cities for most of life, so I only looked at schools in big cities. NYC is my favorite city in the world, so it was a no brainer for me. I was very much looking for a city experience. It completely depends on your preference and what you want out of a college experience.