<p>I got accepted to Dartmouth and Cornell A/S and am having trouble deciding which one to pick. My immediate inclination is to go with Dartmouth, but I would like to hear what you guys think about my tentative majors at the respective schools before making a choice, as well as other pros/cons. I have already Googled Dartmouth vs. Cornell, but the glut of pros for Cornell is that it beats Dartmouth in eng, ag, and hotel which doesn't really concern my A/S acceptance. I will also post this in the Dartmouth forum.</p>
<p>Possible Majors/Minors: Economics, Computer Science, Government
My current plan is to apply to Business or Law school later, but that's 4 years off, so things can always change.</p>
<p>Both:
-5 hours away (I live in NYC)
-great FA package
-great/awesome colleges</p>
<p>Cornell:
-more friends going there, not close friends though
-slightly more accessible
-more research facilities (I would like to do some science research even though I don't intend to major in a science)
-recent suicide rep (This is trivial, but is it saying something about the school? I can handle academic pressure, I'm sure, but is Cornell really intense?)
-good food (trivial, but a plus nonetheless)
-large community/college town (there are more things to do I guess)</p>
<p>Dartmouth:
-quarter system = more classes? (I might double major, so would this make it easier?)
-generally higher ranked than Cornell
-strong undergrad focus
-slightly less accessible area
-dominated by Greek life/frats?
-small, close community
-no friends going there :/</p>
<p>I don't think scenery really matters to me, as they are both beautiful no doubt. Please keep it in the context of Cornell A/S.</p>
<p>Also, just curious, suppose I decide I want to do business. Is it possible to switch schools at Cornell?</p>
<p>yes, you can switch schools at Cornell through the internal transfer division. [Internal</a> Transfer Division](<a href=“http://internaltransfer.cornell.edu/]Internal”>http://internaltransfer.cornell.edu/)
if you transfered to CALS for AEM you’d also get in state tuition.
would this affect your plans to possibly double major? </p>
<p>if you want do science research why aren’t you majoring in a science? this isn’t going to help you decide between schools but I don’t understand the point.</p>
<p>I don’t think I can provide input on any of these other points except to say I’m sure the academics are pretty tough at Dartmouth as well.</p>
<p>Also, I was nominated to be a Dean’s Scholar at Cornell, so I feel distinguished in a way. What’s the likelihood of becoming a Dean’s Scholar? I know 50ish students become an actual Dean’s Scholar.</p>
<p>If I’m not thinking of something else, I think if you’re nominated you get the award.</p>
<p>if you were nominated to be one, doesn’t that mean if you came to Cornell you would be a Dean’s Scholar? I can’t find anything on their website about a subsequent selection process, so that’s what I’d figure unless the materials you’ve received suggest otherwise.</p>
<p>is dartmouth ranked higher than cornell in computer science? </p>
<p>computer science is pretty intense at cornell not sure how it is at dartmouth…</p>
<p>i’m guessing it’s more intense at cornell…not sure if that’s a good thing or not…</p>
<p>Cornell’s Computer Science program is definitely higher ranked than Dartmouth’s. With regards to difficulty, I would say that Cornell’s is probably more difficult. I say it is a good thing because if you’re trying to find a job as a software engineer, the more difficult curriculum will help you more with the interview process, or if you plan to attend grad school, it will provide a better background.</p>
<p>not necessarily essential…</p>
<p>many who strive for CS are already brilliant creatures…and i find that most of the CS projects (or so i hear) are just a pain in the ass…</p>
<p>though i guess that does mean better recruiting at cornell…</p>
<p>For your majors, I believe Cornell would be a better choice. Tons of Cornell students get recruited by wall street firms every year for internships and jobs. Some Wall Street companies have branches in Ithaca just to recruit Cornellians. </p>
<p>Cornell has the second largest Greek system in the United States, so I would say that the Greek life here is much larger and dominant than that of Dartmouth, if that matters to you. </p>
<p>I would suggest visiting both campuses before making your decision; after all, you’ll be living in either school for 4 years, so the campus itself would be a big factor in your decision. </p>
<p>In regards to the recent suicides, this year’s suicide numbers are highly unusual from the normal Cornell trend. Cornell’s suicide is lower than the national average; the media blew it up a bit too much, in my opinion. </p>
<p>Rankings: USWeekly ranks Dartmouth higher, but Cornell is definitely more well known nationally and especially internationally than Dartmouth. You would be surprised to know that many people in the US and most people outside of the US do not know that Dartmouth is an Ivy League. </p>
<p>Both schools are great, hope you pick the one that is the best for you!</p>
<p>Thanks for the helpful feedback! =]</p>
<p>How hard is it to double major? I know Cornell requires 9 courses, 2 phys ed courses, and a foreign language, so that’s like 1/3 of my 4-year coursework, if not more, though some of it could count for my major, maybe.</p>
<p>Dartmouth is ranked higher and harder to get into, lets just get it out of the way.</p>
<p>It depends what type of person you are. Do you want more of a small school feel or a larger university? One advantage of Cornell is you could take courses outside of A&S. My daughter is in A&S, double major in math and econ and a minor in gender studies. She could do it by only taking 4 courses a semester. She had a lot of AP credit, and she take econ courses that could be counted toward her math major(double dipping). She also takes accounting and finance courses at Hotel and AEM. </p>
<p>I have a sister who went to Dartmouth and a brother at Cornell. My brother double majored in math/CS. He went into S&T. My sister went on to law school. You can’t go wrong with either school. I think in this case it comes down to fit. Visit both schools to see which one you feel more comfortable at.</p>
<p>when i think of CS in dartmouth’s neighborhood i think of MIT lol…</p>
<p>i would go ahead and plan out a 4 year course list and see what you can manage :)</p>
<p>when i think of dartmouth i think of a more bostonian/rhode island culture…</p>
<p>when i think of cornell i think of long island and new jersey as well as a little upstate new york (srs)</p>
<p>how do you think Cornell would be for a premed student? I mean, I know/heard its extremally difficult, but would you suggest Cornell over a guaranteed 8year med program?</p>
<p>I personally would be concerned about a guaranteed 8 year med program because it doesn’t give you much time to change your mind, but you’d decide on it at age 17 or 18. that’s nothing to do with Cornell or not but I think that’s too limiting. at Cornell you’d have lots of similar science options if you decided you didn’t actually want to be a doctor, and if you did stick with pre-med you’d get a fine education and have plenty of opportunities for research.</p>
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<p>No. Greek life absolutely is more dominant at Dartmouth. You have to look at the percentages and not the numbers, and realize that Dartmouth students don’t go Greek until their sophomore year. I mean, Hanover isn’t large enough to have a bar scene that rivals College Ave., let alone Dryden, Eddy, Stewart, and the Commons.</p>