<p>This is a multi-level question. :) I'm asking these three questions because I'm not sure what I'd like to pursue and would like to hear opinions based on each question. </p>
<p>Assuming financial aid is the same at both (which it will probably end up being), which would you pick and why?</p>
<p>Assuming that I am interested in pursuing a career in business or banking, which would be better and why?</p>
<p>Assuming that I am interested in medicine, which would be better and why?</p>
<p>I was interested in both business and medicine (involving research - like an MD/PhD) for a long while, but don't know which I'll end up pursuing anymore; I figured I'd explore a bit and figure out what my true interests are in college before deciding definitively. However, I am definitely a fan of biology (especially cell and micro) and history (particularly social history), so I will probably major/minor in either of those. Lately, I've been more interested in studying the humanities (which is ironic, since my entire high school career has been dedicated to science and science research, really), but I'd still like to take a lot of science classes even if I don't major in the field.</p>
<p>I would like to do some sort of research as an undergrad, regardless of whether I'll be a science or humanities major. I'm leaning towards Dartmouth because of the smaller, more close-knit environment with the liberal arts focus, but I haven't visited Cornell so I'd like to hear opinions about Cornell's environment, social life, etc. :) I am considering visiting later this month but wanted to ask CC'ers in the meantime!</p>
<p>Business - here (3rd best program in country)
Banking - there (they’re quite proud of it, or so i heard). Probably because so many people are doing it over there and you have more connections. Quite great here too, but it’s probably marginally better there.</p>
<p>financial aid being same, depends on the field. Cornell is good at art, engineering, business, sciences, psych, math, hotel (yes really). Other things -> might want to look into dartmouth. Heard they have a great neurobio program, great at connections for econ majors, and great at humanities.</p>
<p>if you are undecided, Cornell CAS is a must. Cornell is strong in the humanities too, and cornell CAS is very well rounded - it gives you many options to switch into. Cornell is probably better for research as well. As for social life, maybe there is better but cornell definitely has a vibrant party scene if you are into that. If you want a really close knit environment, maybe dartmouth is better for that - but Cornell definitely gets “smaller” once you find a group of people that you identify with. I honestly don’t feel that it’s big here at all anymore.</p>
<p>For medicine, it’s your choice. I would prefer dartmouth for that but Cornell seems to place very well for med schools (>80% for >=3.6 gpa i believe).</p>
<p>I don’t know much about what Dartmouth has to offer, so here are my two cents on Cornell.
I am also interested business and medicine, so I am majoring in AEM, while taking the science prereqs. This might be an option that you could consider, since you are interested in both as well. 1. Cornell’s AEM business program is highly regarded. 2. There are lots of research opportunities available for student in every department. 3. The best part about Cornell is that it has such a diversity of majors, which is unique compared to other Ivies. This gives one a chance to take classes in the most random, yet interesting subjects. 4. Cornell’s premed science courses are notorious for being difficult. I am not saying that science courses will be easy at Dartmouth…just something to keep in mind, since a lot of premeds at Cornell end up with not-so-stellar GPAs. However, Cornell does place well for med schools. </p>
<p>You can’t go wrong with either university. Good luck deciding!</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the advice!! It was really helpful; I’m considering visiting Cornell too. I’ve already been to Dartmouth, so I’m a bit biased already. :)</p>
<p>Nope. Cornell’s med school placement is notoriously below-average. In finance recruiting Dartmouth has a slight edge - but your success in finding any Wall Street job honestly doesn’t have a whole lot to do with your UG, beyond a certain level, so whatever.</p>
<p>From talking to my friends at Dartmouth it’s clear that the place is slightly less of a pressure cooker. So if you’re premed, just go there.</p>
<p>Take the sums of numbers from 3.6 gpa+ (for whatever mcat score) and you get ~81% acceptance. You will rarely find such a transparent display in any other college.</p>
<p>If you like Dartmouth for the liberal arts curriculum, but still want to go into business/banking, then (IMO) Cornell AEM probably isn’t right for you, as it has a comparatively narrow focus. CAS Econ is a possibility, though. I still suggest visiting campus though and asking a few questions.</p>
<p>The premed screening committee is brutal, attrition is terrible due to enforced curves and I’m pretty sure Dartmouth has a slightly higher rate, as do most elite liberal arts colleges. (Williams boasts 97 but I haven’t looked at those numbers closely in years, so I’m taking it with a grain of salt.)</p>
<p>Bottom line: if you’re an aspiring premed do NOT pick a school, especially Cornell, based on its med placement numbers. Chances are (greater than at other schools) that you will drop premed here by the end of second semester. </p>
<p>That said, other programs here are top notch. But for your specific career interests, batfan, I would pick Dartmouth.</p>
<p>You mean the screening at other schools. Cornell’s screening process is the courses themselves. Doubt they have a really “Brutal” if they let people with under 3.1 GPA or 26 MCAT apply. And I’m pretty darn sure Williams does not go above 90%.</p>
<p>But yes but courses are pretty brutal here.</p>
<p>Ya that’s pretty much what I was getting at - premed in general is unnecessarily difficult here. I’m not saying Dartmouth will be a cakewalk but it will have smaller classes/less competition, slightly better/easier to find research opportunities (i think their med school just got a huge donation) & better advising. </p>
<p>Also if you ever want to shadow a doctor during the school year, Cayuga Med in Ithaca is like 3 bus transfers away while the dartmouth-hitchcock med center is much more convenient to campus.</p>
<p>Colene, if I remember right, that 97% stat probably includes alumni as much as 5 years out (therefore it’s not very useful), but I can’t find that PDF on the williams site anymore…</p>
<p>I posted in another thread. I think the best advice to give the person that started this post is to do your own research and pick what is best for you. If there is anything I can say its that I have not seen any college (not even one other), except cornell, talked about here or in the premed forums with any complaints about admissions rate. I’m no expert, yet I can’t believe that all the negative posts about cornell premed for so many years are all wrong. My aunt said there was a segment on a NY News channel about students picking the city colleges ba-md program over schools like Harvard and Yale and that also is a reason why I picked Drexel and their program, whichI am going to be doing as a bs-md. Have a great day.</p>
<p>^ You should really go over to the Drexel forum now DerrickSpa and promote your school. Oh, that’s right, I forgot that you are in all likelihood a ■■■■■ with a hidden agenda.</p>
<p>Derrickspa: right, it makes sense to consider prefrosh’s understanding of the premed programs at different schools and not the opinions of actual students who have taken science classes here. lol ok</p>
<p>That said your situation is totally different; you picked an assured route to med school and that’s your choice. It’s an apples to oranges comparison but either way, good luck sincerely.</p>