<p>Dartmouth is better in many ways but I live in California and would prefer to stay close to home.
I don't mind Dartmouth's cold weather at all; actually I think CMC is too hot a lot of the time.</p>
<p>I like small classes but either college fits the bill.</p>
<p>Dorms matter, I prefer privacy with fewer people sharing a room and bathroom.</p>
<p>Diversity matters; racial, religious, socioeconomic, etc. Geographical not so much.</p>
<p>I don't drink and would prefer not to be surrounded by drunks, and I want to have non-drinking activities to do on weekends or nights.</p>
<p>Want good opportunities for research, internship, etc. (bio/medical stuff)</p>
<p>Dartmouth. Not just because it’s the better school but because as a Socal native who was hesitant to leave CA for college but did, I can tell you that doing so was probably the most important thing I ever did. I was the youngest in a large family and no one else left the state. They all say today they wish I’d gone first and they had seen how it benefited my life.</p>
<p>My DS is a Dartmouth freshman. He shares a bathroom with 3 others. Much better than when I was in college! Freshmen can also get singles.</p>
<p>Many Californians seem to be overly afraid of experiencing bad weather. I can’t say there aren’t days of winter that aren’t worth a good curse or two, but it’s not THAT big a deal. If you’re afraid to go to a place with bad weather, your life will be circumscribed by fear. I wouldn’t make my decision solely on that basis, but be aware that in the eyes of outsiders, fear of bad weather can give Californians the reputation of being rather fragile and weak, despite the famed California beach body. California is a great place, but you might find it extremely interesting to be somewhere else for a little while. I’d be interested to know how hmom felt it benefited her to be away from SCal.</p>
<p>hmom, I think I would feel better leaving if I were the youngest. I am actually the oldest and have a much younger sibling whom I will miss terribly if I move; she would, in effect, “grow up without me.” I don’t want that to happen, and I feel guilty about putting a slight preference of school over family (because it’s not like staying close means I’ll go to a bad school-CMC actually has great med school acceptance rates).
I realize independence is important and I am very comfortable with moving far 4 years from now for grad school (can a CMC education get me into good east coast med schools?) but it doesn’t feel right just now, and I don’t know if all these reservations are worth the benefits Dartmouth offers. Not to mention, if I did move and ended up less-than-successful, I would have so much regret.</p>
<p>I think leaving CA opened my eyes to the rest of the world. I was definitely California centric as I think many Californians are. Leaving and going to school with kids from all over the world turned me into a different person. My goals became bigger and broader and I ended up working all over the world.</p>
<p>Confused, the D Plan means there are lots of long breaks. You are in school less than 30 weeks each year. Soph and junior years you can take off any terms you want. With the credits my DS went in with, he’ll be in school under 20 weeks next year. You will still have almost half of every year to spend with family if you like, and can still achieve your personal goals.</p>
<p>hmom, isn’t there a limit of 3 leave terms?
I could do an exchange at UCSD for 3 terms though and be close if I really wanted to. Is that what you were referring to with spending half a year with family?</p>
<p>I mean that if you take three terms each year, you still have more than 22 weeks off. Terms are only 9 or 10 weeks. Those breaks are also spred nicely throughout the year, I feel like my Dartmouth DS is off more than my other kids. If he had not met so many kid’s from all over the world he wants to visit, and found so many internship opportunities in far flung places, he’d be home a lot:)</p>
<p>I’m not sure about any limit to off terms. I would also make sure 3 terms at UCSD is possible, Dartmouth does tend to be stingy about accepting credits from other colleges.</p>
<p>Based on the criteria you mentioned (class size, dorms, diversity, non-alcohol related social activities, research), Claremont and Dartmouth are pretty similar. Dartmouth is an Ivy and has the prestige that goes along with that. CMC’s classes will be a little smaller. With ethnic diversity, Dartmouth has more African-American students while CMC has more Asian and Latino students. CMC also has a strong reputation for political/ideological diversity. Dartmouth has more extensive research facilities, but CMC undergraduates probably have more access to research opportunities. If you work hard at either school, you’ll have no trouble getting in to top med schools anywhere in the country.</p>
<p>I can attest to the benefits of getting away for college. I’m glad I did. But family is a huge factor. It sounds like you just have to decide how important it is to be close to your family for the next four years.</p>