Athlete: UPenn vs. Dartmouth vs. Columbia

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I have offers from the coaches at UPenn, Dartmouth, and Columbia to be a student-athlete at their schools. I have been asked to make my decision by next week and I was hoping if I could get input from some current/former students at these schools to help in my decision making process. I'm leaning toward either Penn or Dartmouth, but they are so different that I'm having trouble comparing the two. I have the grades/test scores to get into these schools without athletics, but I want to continue to play.</p>

<p>Columbia
Pros:
-love the coach and the team
-NYC and all the internship possibilities
Cons:
-Heard the atmosphere was very cutthroat?
-Poor social life (how is this so because of NYC?)
-No school spirit</p>

<p>Dartmouth
Pros:
-All the outdoor options
-Strong social life
-Studying abroad
-Sense of community/school spirit
-Alumni connections
Cons:
-Isolated location
-10 week classes</p>

<p>Penn
Pros:
-School spirit
-Social Ivy
Cons:
-West Philly</p>

<p>I've heard from a lot of people that college was one of the best experiences of their life and that's the kind of attitude I want to have. The pros and cons above are compiled from other threads, are they accurate?. I know the three are all really great schools and the workload is going to be tough, but does that vary from school to school? I'm definitely a social person like to have fun, but I do know when I need to settle down and study. Which really has the best social options? As for school spirit, I come from a school that is really athletic and has a lot of school pride. I'm looking for the same kind of mindset in college. I fit the outdoorsy, athletic stereotype and I hate to not have options. Can any student-athletes comment on what it's like for them at their school? Which school has the best alumni connections and internship options?</p>

<p>Sorry that's so long. Thank you!</p>

2

<p>I recently stayed overnight at Columbia, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that social life was not lacking.
All three of those choices are excellent though. </p>

3

<p>University City (Penn’s area of Philadelphia) is an incredibly vibrant place. This is not West Philly. It’s proximity to sketchy neighborhoods is no less immediate than Columbia’s or Yale’s to same; walking distance to Center City, Rittenhouse, Ave of the Arts, Gayborhood, South Street, even Old City. You should visit. And the weather is probably nicer in Philadelphia than in NYC and NH.
Congratulations on an amazing accomplishment with all three schools!</p>