<p>I know that there have been several other threads comparing Dartmouth with many other schools, but my case may be a little bit different...I'm trying to decide between Cornell Engineering and Dartmouth. I am pretty sure that I want to do engineering as an undergrad, and I have been considering going into patent law beyond that (as opposed to acually becoming an engineer or something of that nature). Also, I could see pre-med being a viable option for me. I'm still mostly undecided, but I do have some general direction.</p>
<p>That said, here's my dilemma: Cornell seems to offer a much stronger academic climate specifically for engineering, but I think that I can relate to the social environment of Dartmouth a little better. If I were to go to Cornell, I would most likely major in chemical engineering. At Dartmouth, however, my options seem to be a little bit more limited. I guess it would have to be "Engineering Sciences" instead of anything more specific, but also I hear that it is a 5 year program. With sufficient AP Credit, could that become 4 years? Also, given my interests and indecisiveness, would chemistry perhaps be a better option at Dartmouth? If I were to go for chemistry instead, would that eliminate any of my post-undergrad options (i.e., law or medicine)? I think that I would be happy at either school, but a lot of little things make me feel like as a whole Dartmouth might be the better fit.</p>
<p>Other things to consider: I like the size of Dartmouth. Is there anything that is lost in this regard by going to Cornell, which is obviously larger? They still seem to have a comparable faculty-to-student ratio. Also, each individual college at cornell seems to be fairly small, but does that compensate at all? Additionally, while I am mostly certain that I want to pursue either engineering or chemistry, I am not completely sure that that is I want to do, which makes me think that Dartmouth may be a better option, although I suppose I <em>could</em> transer colleges at cornell if I were to change my mind.</p>
<p>Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>IMO dartmouth is a better match. Though their engineering program isn't the greatest, it does have a more liberal arts touch to it than cornell engineering. If you do want to study law later on, pick dartmouth ( which, I think, is better than cornell for premeds as well)</p>
<p>I agree: you can major in anything and go into law or med. I know a kid at cornell medical school (ironically) from Dartmouth who majored in music. As for engineering, 4 years at Dartmouth will meet your needs if you don;t actually want to go into engineering as a job (I have many friends with 4-yr degrees who went to top law schools, med schools, grad schools, into business, etc).</p>
<p>Well, this thread answered most of my questions from the other thread. I have a similar decision to make, except it is that, plus more schools. And I have similar goals in mind, except perhaps business rather than law. </p>
<p>Can you make the 4 year degree a 3 yr w/APs and such perhaps?</p>
<p>You can do it in three years, I have a friend who did it in three then got a BE the fourth. Most AP-loaded kids finish a term or two early but use the time to hang out in Hanover, get a grant, etc. They still often want to graduate and leave campus with their classmates.</p>
<p>If you have a genuine interest in engineering, or have a desire to be involved in cool projects and/or research, then go to Cornell. I have alot of respect for Dartmouth, but their undergraduate engineering program and engineering related activities just can't compete with Cornell. It's not difficult to transfer colleges at Cornell.</p>
<p>If you are lukewarm about engineering, and are sure that you don't want to pursue a career in engineering (or attend an engineering graduate school), then choose the school that you feel more comfortable with. It sounds like you are comfortable with Dartmouth, and it's definately a great school.</p>
<p>In general, law or medical schools won't care what you major in: chemistry, chemical engineering, or engineering sciences; you just need to take the proper courses.</p>
<p>Longer Answer:</p>
<p>Dartmouth's Engineering Science's program (the A.B. - 4 year degree) is nice because it gives you a general engineering background (math, sciences, analysis skills, general critical thinking, etc). With this you will be well prepared to enter law or medical school. It's also easier to switch into something totally different, like history, during graduate school because the engineering sciences program is really a liberal arts degree.</p>
<p>The downside: If you decide that you want to become an engineer, or go to graduate school for engineering, the 5th year Bachelor of Engineering Degree (awarded by the Thayer School) is a must. Without it you do not have an ABET (the board that certifies undergraduate engineering programs) accredited degree.</p>
<p>My advice is to choose based your plans for college - I can't tell you how much plans change in four years. Just do what you are more comfortable with NOW.</p>
<p>For pure love of engineering, I'd also recommend Cornell.
However, if you're looking to go into law, be advised that Cornell Engineering has a median GPA of 3.15. And the weight that Adcoms give to Cornell (name value) and Engineering (dificulty of major) is not enough to offset the discrepancy in GPA</p>
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<p>my b, i was going off of info from a friend who graduated in 2001, long long time ago</p>
<p>cornell it is, great campous, world class engineering, med school, great faculty. it is world class university which stanford is modelled after. Drtmouth is like small collge with limited appeal and lousy alums. look at the name it is drtmouth college. so it is not a university more like amhest bowdoin williams.</p>
<p>Median for many large engineering classes (esp. Math and Phys) is 2.7 but many upper level classes are curved to B+. So the overall is usually in the low 3s.</p>