Such different schools and vibes to consider! What are your kid's interests and personality? Perhaps revisit the reasons why she applied to these schools and see how it feels now with an acceptance. There is a lot of 'activity' at Barnard/Columbia these days and campus access is pretty restrictive. Some kids ignore, but for others it is disruptive. I dont see it improving in the next few months so make an informed decision and maybe take a gap year if that is a concern? I would think that your child has a sense of what they prefer. Urban/rural, coed/single sex, etc. If considering Barnard, Be sure to read the new rules of Columbia/Barnard restricting access to intro classes - forcing kids to take more intro courses in their 'home' institution. (As a Columbia alum, I think this new rule is a bad idea)

Anonymous wrote:DD not really keen on going to Maine, but DD trying to weight quality of education, opportunities, etc...

There's no major difference in the quality of education/opportunities - Barnard students can take classes at Columbia. If DD prefers it I'd definitely let her go, it's a good school.

Anonymous wrote:There’s nothing Colby has Barnard doesn’t.

Well, there's Maine, but OP's DD doesn't want Maine.

These are polar opposites. Co-ed vs. single sex. Middle of nowhere vs. as urban as it gets. Weird pair.

Does your daughter have an intended major?

Anonymous wrote:There’s nothing Colby has Barnard doesn’t. There’s a lot Barnard has access to, that Colby doesn’t.

Barnard has a 4-acre campus; Colby has a 714-acre campus.

There’s nothing Colby has Barnard doesn’t. There’s a lot Barnard has access to, that Colby doesn’t.

Colby is not Bowdoin.

Barnard and Colby are drastically different. So it will really come down to your DC’s preference.

A better pair would be Barnard and Wellesley. That would be a tougher decision.

As an alternative source of information, this site provides a variety of categories with which to compare these schools, such as Career Outcomes Rank:

https://wallethub.com/edu/e/college-rankings/40750

Perhaps consider this decision simply. Does your daughter really want Manhattan? Lots of students do, and most of those who do would not be excited to attend a college in Waterville. Barnard being ranked higher in U.S. News might make the decision even easier. Nonetheless, Barnard's comparative structural disadvantage may be its recent financial shortfalls.

I dont' think there is anything we can tell you that you wouldn't learn by visiting these two. They seem very different and a kid who likes one would not obviously like the other

Barnard has all that Columbia and the City of New York have to offer.

Don’t know anything about Barnard but Colby is a GREAT school. Lots of great features, amazing benefactors in the Alfond family, college owned island donated by the Wyeth family, great president. Definite liberal vibe if that is a plus or minus. Maine is great. Waterville is kinda blah, but life is mostly on campus. Cold winters, your kid will survive.

DD not really keen on going to Maine, but DD trying to weight quality of education, opportunities, etc...