<p>To me, and this is what made the difference,
Dartmouth=Dartmouth not Dartmouth=Ivy or Dartmouth=HYP etc.
What makes Dartmouth great is the fact that it is what it is and that is a know quantiy to those who chose it.</p>
<p>Talking to friends and reading posts on these boards you could easily think the reason people chose harvard or yale is based mainly on the school's exclusivity, not what the schools are and offer in themselves. Country-Clubs, in the past, worked along the same lines with rather interesting results to say the least------minorities, women, class, exclusions etc. I'm not saying that those applying do not want to be around different people, but that it is the same impulse to be in a place that is the most exclusive of all. Not all applicants of course, but a great many of them. On these boards they call it prestige, I call it exclusivity.</p>
<p>To clarify the point, I do not think this is true of Princeton. Most people who choose it likely do so because of its real differences and uniqueness, not its exclusivity.</p>
<p>I feel the same about Dartmouth. People choose it for all they know it to be for the most part--not everyone of course, but a lot of students.</p>
<p>I'd like to hear what others think, especially those who have been accepted or are attending or view D as their first choice.</p>
<p>What can I say? You pretty much said it all.</p>
<p>After seeing some of the applicants though, I think some people choose D as a back up for HYP. The people who get in though, are the ones who view Dartmouth for its differences because they know it best.</p>
<p>I always think it's ridiculous when people use Dartmouth as a backup for those other schools. Even though the acceptance rate is higher (what- 8%?), it is sooo different. It is not like Penn (no offense) which targets the same types of students- students who want to be in a large university setting in an urban area. So how can you possibly compare?</p>
<p>Don't confuse preppier and snobbier with being more conservative. Among the IVYs Princeton comes closest to achieving a political balance (liberals outnumber conservatives but conservatives remain a viable force).
Agree?</p>
<p>real good point about prestige being socially subject to exclusivity, afterall isn't that the criteria sub-consciously used by most--less than profound--people to make a determination of prestige? Although, the social comparison you raise-country clubs- seems somewhat harsh I don't disagree with it.</p>
<p>repost of an earlier observation that fits Dartmouth = Dartmouth.</p>
<p>To me, Dartmouth represents everything that is "right" about a college. Small, intimate student community(but not too small). Nearly 100% focus on undergrduate education. Beautiful, well kept campus in a "village" environment. Safe, nearly zero crime area. Excellent academic reputation. There is no doubt in my mind that if I can graduate with strong grades, I will have plenty of excellent options for jobs or grad school...the same as I would have with an equal performance at any of the other top schools.
Dartmouth is a unique environment for learning and living, in many ways THE perfect place.</p>
<p>you have to figure that for the most part, the people at dartmouth all wanted the same thing, so they must be, to some extent, similar to you. a certain kind of person that wants the warm community feel in an outdoorsy setting with positive, passionate people and a first-rate faculty focused on undergraduates will thrive there</p>
<p>It's interesting that most universities seem to get a pass on undergrad focus. One of the most important things I considered in my choosing Dartmouth over all other schools was its obvious and significant undergrad focus.</p>
<p>absolutely! my parents were iffy at first about the 5.5 hour drive, but I was like come on. If you're paying 40,000 a year, wouldn't you want it to be for teachers that actually want to teach, and are wonderful at teaching, undergrads?</p>
<p>is Dartmouth big on extra curriculars... i have outstanding extra curriculars...and my standardized test scores are pretty good right now ( most recent 2200 ) ... my gpa is a bit low tho.. a 3.4 or so..i might be able to bring it up...but not by that much
what are my chances</p>
<p>hahaha. maybe because i talk about how hard it is for people from northern New Jersey to get into college ALL THE TIME? :-D it's okay i know where you're from without checking your info too lol</p>