Help please!! Barnard College or Rutgers University?

hopefulxchange
Sat, 09 May 2015 10:58:34 +0000

Hi there,

I m currently in the process of applying for exchange in the United States. Ideally, I want to be somewhere in New York but the only partner institution my university is affiliated with is Barnard College. I have some hesitation as it is an all girls college, and whilst doing some research around the internet I have read that there is quite some conflict between Barnard and Columbia, and that it is quite hard to make friends at Barnard? Also that it is quiet and not many activities/parties happening… My other option is Rutgers University in New Brunswick as is the closest university to New York (approx. an hour away?) that my university has a partnership with. I have read that the university life is great and generally people are easygoing? I am unsure of which I should put as my first preference, as I really do want to be in New York and I know Barnard College is more academically recognised than Rutgers, but I also want to have a great college experience. I was wondering if anyone living in New York or New Jersey, or have had experience at any of the universities to give me some advice or share their imput/thoughts/their experiences!

Also, is there a great difference in cost of living between New York and New Jersey?

Thank you!