Help me decide: Barnard or Howard!!
Background: I'm planning to major in biochemistry/chemistry with a potential minor or double major in data science/computer science. My dream has always been to study in a city for undergrad (dream city has always been Manhattan). I value a well-rounded education and want to be surrounded by students who are excited to learn and enjoy intellectual conversations while also having fun. Also, I have my sights set on pursuing a Ph.D. in bioengineering, leaning towards research or biotech, and maybe even academia as a professor. I want a collaborative environment where I can easily double major/minor and explore my interests while maintaining a decently high GPA and being involved in a lot of research. In terms of personality, I’m pretty shy around other ppl so idk take that into consideration.
Barnard College, Columbia University
PROS:
- Proximity to Columbia/ivy degree
- In Manhatten
- Offers a sisterhood experience with the added perk of not being completely isolated from guys (Columbia boys nearby).
- Culture: It seems to have a very artsy, creative, hippy culture which I really vibe with
- Liberal arts college (interdisciplinary, easier to connect with professors and smaller class sizes) while having Columbia to balance out (as an R1 institution)
CONS:
- haven't received my financial aid package (NPC determines it'll be around 32k/yr (actually more like 22k/yr since I got a 10k/ annual scholarship and I'm getting paid 18k next summer during my internship so it'll be more like 2k-ish for sophomore yr??) (unless I manage to snag 1-2 of the other scholarships I applied to)
- heard they can be very iffy with aid (offer large amounts one yr and not a lot the next and I don’t want my parents to pay)
- I'm really introverted and also competing with crazy accomplished ppl so idk how easy it'll be to get research opportunities (especially since I want to go to a top grad program)
- not very diverse from what I’ve heard
Howard University
PROS:
- Black community
- Got accepted into the KARSH STEM PROGRAM: (More info here: https://karshstemscholars.howard.edu/) (The Complete Package Tuition Scholarship (either 75% or 100% depending on family income), Room + board Books + supplies stipend, Mandatory Summer Bridge Program (incoming freshman), easy access to Research internships (required during summers), Study abroad In-program, Advising, Large & small study groups, Tutoring, Mentoring, Cultural arts, provided support since we’re required to ultimately pursue, a PhD, or a combined MD-PhD) also 90%+ graduates of this program have gone off to ivies/top-20’s for grad school
- Close to home (could visit family on the weekends)
- D.C.
- would be debt-free and save money
- Really liked the environment/people I met during selection weekend but they represent only a portion of the larger school community so I'm not sure about how well I would fit into the overall school environment
CONS:
- Black community?? (I love my heritage sm but I've been going to mostly black schools since elementary and I'm interested in experiencing different cultures as well, especially to prepare for life post college)
- Not as "prestigious"
- Close to home (I’ve always planned to leave Maryland and start fresh in a completely new environment)
Thank you!!