Brown vs Dartmouth English/Comparative Literature

I’m posting this here because from every angle I’m hearing people say that Brown’s Comp Lit/Creative Writing/English departments are much stronger (I’m still undecided, leaning towards Comp Lit). And from my research it seems true, but I do love pretty much everything else about Dartmouth more. Do you guys think that perceived strengths/weaknesses of the programs will really make a difference? Should I just go based on fit? Brown’s English department is so strong, and that’s the only problem I have with choosing Dartmouth over Brown. There are only four students graduating this year in Dartmouth’s Comp Lit program, and they have many fewer course offerings.

Any thoughts would be so helpful. I’m so torn!

You are deciding between two incredible insitutions that have as much in common as dogs and cats.  Have a few thoughts:

  1. Do you have a plan for after graduation?  That might influence recommendations.
  2. Look at the research of professors in Comp Lit/Creative Writing/English at each school. Do any of those papers touch you? Reach out to the professors whose research is most compelling to you to learn how you might help them should you attend. Over four years, you will be seeking a professor that will mentor you. The closer your interests are to their research, the better the chance of a positive, mutual relationship. This may sound crazy, but you are their customer. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions. They will be tickled that you actually are invested in their research.
  3. Ultimately, what you learn in the classroom may be less important than from whom you learn and with whom you learn. Depending on where you are headed, that might impact your decision.

If you can imagine your preferred job 10 years from now, ask admissions if they can introduce you to an alum/na with that job with whom you can speak. Should you do this, maintain that contact and update that person with your undergraduate experiences and seek their input with decisions during your college journey. If you do not know where you want to be 10 years from now, no problem. Go where you feel you will be most successful developing relationships with faculty and fellow students.

The vibe at these schools is so different. If Dartmouth is calling you, I would do that. But only after I had reviewed the course catalog and was sure there was a hypothetical 4 year course of study that really appealed to me.

Isn’t Princeton one of your choices? Not sure why that’s not a finalist- great program, closer to a Dartmouth feel than a Brown feel.

It would help to know what you love about Dartmouth College.

it sounds like you are struggling with two fit issues. One is your potential major and the other is the vibe of the school. You’ve identified the tradeoffs in the comp lit programs. If that were the only concern, Brown would seem to be a better fit (conversely, if you were interested in finance I’d say D would be the better fit). But it sounds like something else is tugging at you. What are the tradeoffs in how the two schools feel to you? What about the atmosphere makes you prefer Dartmouth? This is an important consideration because your major may well change but the school atmosphere will not.

Can you visit both for admitted students days–Dartmouth Dimensions and Brown ADOCH? The two campuses have very different feels to them–social, locale, and more. I expect you will quickly sense you are more at home in one place or another. You also could visit the two departments and talk to profs. For example, you might visit Dartmouth comp lit program and chat with director and ask about your concerns about the size of the program.

Tell us more about WHY you are torn and perhaps we can offer more specific advice. This seems to be about more than just comp lit.

By the way, CONGRATS!

@ddpr03 That’s such great advice about asking to speak with an alum, I think I will do that! From what you are saying, it seems like you feel that what I make of the time there would be more important than choosing the program that is better on paper (correct me if I’m wrong). I think Dartmouth is a better fit for me in every way, just can’t shake the feeling that I’d regret not taking the program at Brown. But they can’t be too disparate… right? The English program at Dartmouth (understandably) has far more offerings than Comp Lit, so maybe that would be a good compromise.

@collegemom3717 Unfortunately circumstance requires me to stay closer to home than Princeton. Brown and Dartmouth are much closer for me. It’s too bad, but I’m not dwelling on it!

@oldschooldad I’ve visited both in the past weeks, and you’re right—Dartmouth felt like home. I think the reason why I am so torn is that everything is pulling me towards Dartmouth, but I just don’t know how to determine if a slightly weaker program will really matter in the end. I guess I am asking will my post-grad prospects be so different with, say, an English degree from Dartmouth vs one from Brown? Because if I could feel that the difference in the degree and the experience is negligible, I would choose Dartmouth and never look back. Campus, vibe, curriculum, location, everything at Dartmouth seems to be a better fit for me than Brown. Thank you so much for your help

@dreamthief001 our daughter is in a similar circumstance. She is also deciding between Dartmouth and Brown. Our advice to you is the same to her, pick the school where you can see yourself being happy, successful and engaged. That really will make all the difference in how successful you are at a college and postgrad. This will be worth any bump in program prestige.

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My son was accepted at several top schools (as is true for everyone in this thread, I’m sure) and ultimately narrowed it down to Dartmouth and Williams - he compared and contrasted but ultimately it came down to the fact that at Dartmouth he felt that he’d “found his people and his home away from home.” Listen to your gut and your heart. You are choosing between two of the very best schools IN THE WORLD and will get a top shelf education at either. Both diplomas will
Open any door you want down the road. Sounds like Dartmouth is your place. Good luck and maybe we’ll see you on the hill in Hanover!

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