I have a friend who is at Darchei Binah right now, and based on what she has said, I have noticed the following;
Positives:
Very Open- Minded, Chilled, Bais Yaakov
No Uniform
World Renowned Teachers such as Rabbi Nissel, Shira Smiles, and Rabbi Orlofsky.
You get to choose some of your classes.
Located in Bayit Vegan near (Afikei is closing down at the end of this year) Michlalah, and Seminar, so it is easy to see friends who are going to those seminaries.
Great girls from all different backgrounds, all different types of girls.
Growth oriented.
Opportunity to learn how to cook.
Challenges:
Very academic.
Although Bayit Vegan is a wonderful neighborhood in Jerusalem, it is not really located near the center of town, so you won’t be able to do so many things during your free time.
Classes can end between two hours and an hour before curfew.
You have to provide yourself with two meals a day on days you have class, and when you do not have class, they will not provide you any meals (and also the meals will not always be enough to sustain you), this means that you will need more money for your stipend than if you were in a Bais Yaakov seminary, or a more modern seminary.
If you are not used to being in a bais yaakov environment, keep in mind that you will not be allowed to talk to boys.
You are not allowed on Ben Yehuda after 8:30 at night.
Large amount of toranut duties (chores) compared to other seminaries.