Dartmouth or Cornell?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Dartmouth College
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<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 Cornell 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.</p>

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<p>I don’t know much about either college (I was accepted to Dartmouth but rejected to Cornell) but one thing my counselor told the senior class was to never choose your college depending on which one had your friends going. She said that it might be tempting to want that security, and it is pretty helpful to have someone to talk to no matter what when you’re lonely, but it should be just an added plus and definitely not a factor in deciding where to go. We will all make amazing friends at college wherever we go.</p>

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<p>Hahha well I guess I can represent a different opinion since I was accepted to Cornell but rejected at Dartmouth lol.</p>

<p>Hmm… well, they are obviously both amazing schools and you really can’t go wrong with either. Dartmouth is a bit more liberal artsy [maybe moe appealing if you think your interests may change] while Cornell is more research powerhouse-esque. </p>

<p>But they are both amazing and I congratulate you! Whatever your choice is, I bet it’ll be the right one for you</p>

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<p>What do you think of the quarter system? Is it fast-paced or manageable? Would taking 4 courses a quarter be really intense?</p>

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<p>dartmouth no question</p>

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<p>You will only have 3 opportunities to take 4 classes a quarter without paying extra tuition.</p>

7

<p>Four classes a quarter is, in most cases, undoable. Well, I guess it depends on what the classes are. But for most people, three classes each quarter is intense enough, thank you very much.</p>

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<p>As a note on the research- Dartmouth’s grad schools are really small, so it really is super undergrad focused, which shows a lot in that its easier to get lab/research opportunities because they aren’t taken up by grad students.</p>

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<p>*Updated list (xD is good, -_- is not so good). </p>

<p>I feel like I’m lacking concrete reasons to go to Dartmouth. My reasons for Dartmouth revolve mainly around it’s step-up in rank, undergraduate focus, better grad school and big financial firm placements (which probably has more to do with the students being predisposed to pursue these paths, but it also says something about the alumni network and the Dartmouth name). But then again I haven’t visited Dartmouth yet, so I will have a better sense of the environment later, but from what I hear, it seems like it’s really in the middle of nowhere.</p>

<p>-Shared-
Excellent for economics, computer science, government
Prestigious
Awesome financial aid
Beautiful campus
Excellent food
Isolated
Winters can be hell…
Distribution requirements (including phys ed & seminars, not includ foreign lang.): Cornell ~16, Dartmouth ~14
(could use ~4 requirements to fulfill major reqs.)</p>

<p>Cornell
-Pros-
Tanner Dean’s Scholar xD
Extensive transportation
Not as isolated, civilization: malls, collegetown, 60,000 town population xD
Cornell in Washington! xD
Science/engineering/research powerhouse: good should I decide to switch majors (keeps my options open)
More friends from high school
All-you-can-eat food
Internationally recognized
Semester system: 4-5 courses a term = 34-40 courses when I graduate (easier to double major?)</p>

<p>-Cons-
Easiest to get in, hardest to get out? -<em>-
Large class sizes (could be a pro since I’m not the outspoken type)
Worst Ivy? -</em>-</p>

<p>Dartmouth
-Pros-
Higher ranked – 11 as opposed to 14 xD
Strong undergrad focus</p>

<h1>1 in undergrad teaching xD</h1>

<p>More prestigious amongst the people who matter (grad school admissions, big companies) xD
Small class sizes (also a con since I’m not the outspoken type)
Small, tight knit community
Less workload?
Strong alumni network
Better placement in grad schools and jobs xD
D-plan: easier to get an internship?
D-plan: 3-4 courses a term (4 is OD?) = 36+ courses when I graduate (could strive for 40)</p>

<p>-Cons-
More liberal arts oriented? (not really a humanities person, literature- and arts-wise)
Isolated: 11,000 town population
Huge Greek life -<em>-
No friends going
Not recognized internationally (or nationally for that matter), Asians don’t know it at all, neither did my parents until I told them I got in. All of my parent’s friends can only comment on Cornell when I tell them I got into Dartmouth and Cornell (but my consolation is that the people who matter knows Dartmouth) -</em>-
a la carte food sounds annoying
Less convenient transportation</p>

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<p>I think the best thing Dartmouth has to offer is the way it treats its undergrads. As someone who has gone to another Ivy before transferring, I think its remarkable. You will have small classes, professors are genuinely available, career services is truly amazing, and everything Dartmouth does has a special touch. Take study abroad. Most schools just send you on a program anywhere with any other school and that’s it. Dartmouth on the other hand (lets take language for example) has special prep classes with conversational drills. When you get to your country you will be with all Dartmouth students with a professor leading you from the school as a chaperon (in addition to local profs). Dartmouth will fund weekly excursions and in some cases week long trips. Its no wonder people graduate with so many close friends and are so loyal. This type of touch comes with everything, from thesis research grants, to meeting alumni and networking.</p>

<p>I think the intangibles of Dartmouth are what make the difference. For someone going to wall street for example, this means special Dartmouth only internships at top firms. Dartmouth does almost everything well, things that aren’t objective, and this goes far beyond rankings or anything else.</p>

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<p>^Thanks. That’s really nice to hear!</p>

<p>I also read about a slews of budget cuts at Dartmouth and pretty much every other college as well. But Dartmouth’s sounds particularly serious since it’s one of 2 top schools that announced a change in their finaid policy this year. Is it anything to be concerned about since I’m on major financial aid (even though they state it won’t affect class of 2014)? How about student activities/classes/funding overall? What do you expect next year and the year after to be like budget-wise?</p>

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<p>Remember that Dartmouth’s change in its financial aid policy still leaves it very generous. Those whose family incomes are less than $75,000 will still have no-loan financial aid packages. The loan component for those with incomes above $75,000 will be $2,500 to $5,500 per academic year, with those with family incomes up to $100,000 assured of not having to borrow more than $2,500 a year.</p>

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<p>Are you going to the accepted students’ weekends? That should help you make your decision.</p>