Brown vs Dartmouth

Colleges and Universities A-Z Dartmouth College
1

<p>So I've done extensive research between both schools, and I'm still stuck on which college I want to apply to. I'm mainly looking for the opinions of students and alumni from both schools since at this point, I'd rather know how actual people feel about the schools instead of random facts and information the respective colleges have thrown at me. I will give yalls a very detailed portfolio of what I'm looking for in a college. So hopefully you guys take the time to read it and give good feedback. :]</p>

<p>1) HOUSING SYSTEM
I'm looking for a college with a very good housing system that can sort students together very well. For example, I really like Yale's system of placing all students into houses and fostering a sense of community. However, I do not like the fact that it's done completely randomly. My brother's friend, who attends Northwestern University, told me that he took a survey and was matched with a like-minded roommate. I really have no preference of the system, I'd just like to know that I'll be placed in a housing system that will allow me to find friends and feel a sense of community.</p>

<p>2) SOCIAL SCENE
I attended a camp at Yale University this summer, and the main thing that turned me off was the pretentious and snooty personality of pretty much most of the kids. From what I hear, Brown and Dartmouth are the "least pretentious" Ivy Leagues. I'm sure every school will have its share of pretentious and non-pretentious kids, but there are other reasons as to why I've narrowed down the choice to Brown and Dartmouth, so I won't say much more about that. As for Dartmouth, I've repeatedly heard the stereotype that it's a heavy party/drinking school, and I can't help but feel that it's somewhat true. It has an enormous fraternity percentage, which is added onto the fact that it's in a more rural area - one has only so many options. I love Dartmouth for being in the middle of nowhere, because I love appreciating the outside, and being able to hike around a beautiful campus. However, based on what I hear, I'm concerned whether I'll find people who enjoy the same things I do. I have nothing against alcohol, I'm just completely against drinking it myself. And I'd like to have friends who feel the same way as me. I also hear stereotypes about Brown University, mainly their drug scene and the fact that they're extremely hipster-quirky-liberal-hippie. And I don't know if that's a prevalent personality in Brown University.</p>

<p>3) ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES
I'm planning on majoring in English and Philosophy, and from what I've read, both schools are stellar in these fields. I'm personally leaning towards Brown, but I'd like to hear personal experiences before making a final decision. I might also apply to graduate school, so I'm wondering which school has the competitive edge (if at all) when applying to law schools or journalism schools. And finally, I would love the opportunity to travel and study abroad.</p>

<p>I apologize for the extremely lengthy post, but I feel that I would receive more valuable feedback if I provide more information about what I'm looking for. Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>Dartmouth is definitely not the “least pretentious Ivy” and neither is Brown. There is no singular mindset of all the students at any campus and you’ll find your share of pretentious students at every school. If your idea of pretentious is more to the tune of a prep school groomed, old money heir, then Dartmouth can be quite like that. As with all the Ivies, you have many kids coming in from prep schools, and the pretentious mentality will be present at Dartmouth. In fact, if you want to judge the campus on stereotypes alone, Dartmouth is known for being quite pretentious, preppy and conservative, though I think that was more of an actuality in the good old days.</p>

<p>Edit before I get flamed: I’m not saying prep school kids are inherently pretentious. I know that to be far from the truth… I am just speaking to an outdated stereotype.</p>

3

<p>Brown sounds cooler for you.</p>

4

<p>Why don’t you apply to both?</p>

5

<p>Dartmouth is more rural than Brown is.</p>

6

<p>housing:
as a dartmouth, and college, student, i can say that there is no good way of sorting students together. i can also say that there is a fantastic sense of community within your floor especially. your floormates are like your family, and you can go to them for whatever you need.</p>

<p>social scene:
the stereotype is true, though. we are a heavy drinking student body; the “work hard, play hard” mentality reigns supreme. but you don’t have to drink. no one is going to force you to do anything that you don’t want to do, especially at dartmouth. my best friend at dartmouth is a swimmer, and he has a dry season. everyone respected that. no one looks at you differently because you don’t drink. you should also look into the doc (the dartmouth outdoors club). they have their own building on campus and have an incredibly large presence. they plan hiking and camping trips all the time.</p>

<p>dartmouth would definitely have the competitive edge in terms of grad school admissions, and we have incredibly strong study-abroad programs and numerous opportunities to go wherever you want to go. and if dartmouth doesn’t offer a program, they’ll pay for you to go on whatever program that you want.</p>

<p>if you have any questions, let me know.</p>

7

<p>I never really looked into Dartmouth, but I did extensive research on Brown and attended their summer program for 3 weeks and loved it. Obviously the body attending the summer program will probably not mirror Brown’s actual student body, but nothing about the school seemed pretentious to me. My very close friend took a philosophy course at the summer program, and I think he really enjoyed it. However, Dartmouth also seems to have a great curriculum and I don’t think anyone would shame you for choosing D over Brown. Both schools party, both schools will have the flaws you are afraid of, and both schools are amazing. I personally love Brown for its free-ranging academic freedom, but that’s a personal preference. My best advice that I can give you is - if you have the time and money - visit both schools in session and really get a feel for the campus vibes and education etc. Only then will you really know. I personally was in love with the University of Pennsylvania, but once I visited the school and hated the campus, I had to rethink my ED decision - I still am. Visit both again. Maybe even spend a weekend. You’ll know after that. Good luck.</p>

8

<p>Just want to point out that most if not all of the “pretentious and snooty” you met at the Yale camp will not be accepted into Yale, given the historical track record. </p>

<p>To be honest, your comment itself IMHO is a bit pretentious and snooty.</p>

9

<p>you say in the beginning of your post"from what I hear" That being said, everything always depends on who you ask . If I were you and not into drinking , Id pass on D
True no one will force you to drink but why put yourself in that arena ?
I too am not a drinker, and would never apply there bc of that.
Whatever school you choose will have its + and --.</p>

<p>Gd Luck !!!</p>

10

<p>I would suggest to readers that if the academic environment of Dartmouth and Brown interest you, then you should also seriously consider Yale. As an alum, I can attest to you that “snooty and pretentious” HS summer campers don’t represent the actual college student body. Visit the schools while in session and talk to actual students.</p>

<p>If possible, get admitted (yes, I know: easier said than done) and then attend the admitted student events to get a real sense of the campus.</p>