<p>So I've been lucky enough to earn acceptances into these two fine institutions! But I'm torn. I was admitted EA to Chicago and have pretty much fallen in love with it, but today i was surprised with an acceptance letter from Dartmouth! I'm familiar with Chicago's campus, but I've never visited Dartmouth. I don't care much for location. And money isn't a factor, they will cost the same.</p>
<p>I'm fairly confident I want to go premed. And I'm interested in either biology, genetics, neuroscience, and psych. I also want to continue playing in a concert and jazz band (not a marching band).</p>
<p>Here are some of my basic concerns:</p>
<p>Chicago: I've been set on going to Chicago ever since Dec. I love the intellectual culture; it seems really fitting. The students seem really driven and passionate for what they want to learn. Also Chicago has an existent music program.<br>
The problem is I don't know if the academics will be too overwhelming (grade deflation), esp for my path for med school. I have doubts of the rigor, but at the same time I feel like I could handle it. Idk it doesn't make much sense I suppose.</p>
<p>Dartmouth: sadly I don't know as much about dartmouth. I originally applied because they had an interesting looking major called Brain Psychology. The social culture seems to be more diverse, but maybe not necessarily intellectual. Maybe I don't want just straight intellectuals all the time (but maybe i do). I don't like the idea that a keg is an unofficial mascot at dartmouth. Drinking/Stereotype Frat-ness isn't a big turn-on for me. But I heard the student-professor interactions are more intimate. Hanover is overall a quieter town, which I like. And might dartmouth be better for med school? I dont know about dartmouth's music program.</p>
<p>Partially I blame myself for not knowing what i want.</p>
<p>And outside of my own desires...which do you think is overall a better university? Yes, I know we are nit-picking but I just want to see your opinions.</p>
<p>Oh and Duke..yeah I'm waitlisted...in not expecting to get in, but between the other two, it's a three-way tie, so im not sure if its worth staying on the waitlist (consider med school).</p>
<p>If you guys have any advice, it would be much appreciated!!</p>
<p>As a mom whose son was also accepted at both colleges 3 years ago, I strongly suggest you visit Dartmouth at Dimensions weekend[ for accepted students]. You will get a good feel for the college, and be better able to make a decision.
From what I gather- Med schools know about Chicago’s grade deflation and take that into account. All grad schools know how tough Chicago is, and like that Chicago forces students to become better thinkers.
“I don’t like the idea that a keg is an unofficial mascot at dartmouth. Drinking/Stereotype Frat-ness isn’t a big turn-on for me.”
That was a big turn off for him, as he was not into partying and drinking for it’s own sake, or because there is nothing else to do.
Both colleges have good music programs. The really BIG difference for S was that Dartmouth was SO isolated- it takes 2 hours to get to Boston, whereas with Chicago, you can get on a train and you are in downtown Chicago in 20 min.
If you are an independent learner, want to have really intelligent people [ knowing that they can sometimes can be arrogant or quirky] around you, and don’t need your “hand held” to figure things out, then Chicago would probably be the best choice for you. If you want a more “typical” college experience, with bright, normal people, then choose D.
Chicago is not nurturing, and not for the faint of heart.</p>
<p>I don’t usually contribute to this kind of thread, but I’d like to offer one point of clarification as you weigh the pros and cons of each school. My S is a first-year at U of C, and his experience thus far re: the intimacy of student-professor interactions could not have been better. Approximately 3/4 of his classes have had 4-20 students; these have included both core and non-core classes. Needless to say, these have provided many interactions with his professors as well as his fellow students. In the few larger classes (65 students in one instance and 200ish in two others), he’s had weekly discussion sections of fewer than 20 students, in which he’s not only gotten to know his TAs well but also has had some direct interactions with the professors leading the classes. He also has had some very interesting, helpful conversations with several of his professors outside of class, as well as e-mail exchanges in which he’s always received prompt replies to any questions he’s asked. His overall take on the majority of his dealings has been that his professors (and, as he seems to have lucked out in this dept., too, his college advisor) have been not only extremely knowledgeable, but kind, responsive, and supportive as well.</p>
<p>I realize not everyone is as fortunate as my son their first year (he’s probably taken more specialized classes in a somewhat-off-the beaten-path field than is typical for a first-year student), but I don’t think his experiences are that atypical, either.</p>
<p>Ha, we’re almost the same person, except it’s Duke v. Chicago for me. (didn’t apply to Dartmouth) I’m interested in biology and neuroscience as well, and wavering on pre-med. Like you, I’m not big on the frat/drinking scene, and I love the intellectual culture.</p>
<p>Duke’s, by contrast, is 3.44. Either way, pre-med at any of these three places will be quite difficult. </p>
<p>From what I’ve heard, you can find intellectuals at places like Dartmouth and Duke. It’s just more difficult, whereas at Chicago it’s everywhere. I don’t know about Dartmouth, but I feel like this is apparent even from the Duke and Chicago facebook groups. Supposedly the average GPA of students admitted to medical school from Duke is slightly lower than Chicago’s, but I’ve also heard that pre-med at Duke and Dartmouth is much more competitive due to a more preprofessional bent among the students. Anyway, I’m not sure. </p>
<p>I’ve essentially already decided on Chicago, because I love the location and I think I’ll be happier there. Dartmouth is also a great school though. Good luck with your decision =)</p>