<p>I am having a great deal of trouble choosing between Dartmouth and Duke. After visiting both schools, I have decided that I like each equally, but for different reasons. Is anybody else facing this problem?</p>
<p>About Me: I am a student from Miami, FL, so I am not used to the cold weather. I am hispanic, but you can't tell unless I say that I am. I would like to study economics, and I would like to create a good relationship with my professors. I enjoy doing things outdoors (camping, kayaking, etc.), and I may like to continue rowing in college. I am conservative, but open-minded. I don't really like cliques. I like a campus where there is a lot to do, as well as one where there is a strong bond between students.</p>
<p>Questions about Dartmouth:
Do students get bored with Hanover?
Do students create good relationships with each other? Does finding your niche mean finding your clique?
Are the professors accessible? Are they willing to become friends with students?
What is the influence of the Frat scene on Dartmouth life?
How does the campus lean politically?
How cold does it really feel during the winter?
Is the D-Plan limiting?</p>
<p>Do students get bored with Hanover?
A few very urban focused students do get bored, but many like it more and more as college goes on. Personally there is so much happening on campus that I just don't see how anyone could get bored. The social life can be amazing. Beyond all the nightlife, I actually had the best time doing things like jumping off the roof of the river ranch (40 feet up) river in the mornings during summer, sipping spiked hot cocoa with friends by the fire, having a snowball fight in the middle of the night, stealing lunch trays and sledding down the street, etc. If you like "casual" silly laid-back fun Dartmouth is the place to be. </p>
<p>Do students create good relationships with each other? Does finding your niche mean finding your clique?
Because you see people so often you end up making many friendships and you'll likely know alot of people. There are SO many opportunities to meet people and make the best friends of your life: sophomore summer (just your class), study abroad (Dartmouth study abroad is Dartmouth only, which makes it much more tight-knit), etc. Also, all the random fun turns into some incredible friendships. Its a tight community. Most of my best friends are from Dartmouth.</p>
<p>Are the professors accessible? Are they willing to become friends with students?
Absolutely. I think Dartmouth excels in this area. I probably visited the homes of at least 6-7 professors during college. Professors go out of their way to be approachable. They will make you their first priority and they do a tremendous job.</p>
<p>What is the influence of the Frat scene on Dartmouth life?
Its a strong scene, but unlike many schools its an open one. The houses aren;t intimidating and everyone is welcome at the parties. Many many people just go to where the party is on weekend nights. Its not cliquey like many other schools. There also is a large non-frat contingent. </p>
<p>How does the campus lean politically?
It leans to the left, and the conservatives tend to be more liberatarian than anything else.</p>
<p>How cold does it really feel during the winter?
Its cold, but you learn to bundle up. </p>
<p>Is the D-Plan limiting?
I actually loved the D-plan. Sophomore summer is the best time ever, and because terms are shorter many people do multiple study abroads. I actually liked it much more than the semester system. I just one year I did an international thesis research in the pacific (winter), spent a term in spain (spring), and did a special program in oxford (summer). I found the flexibility to be a strength of the D-plan.</p>