<p>hey...umm like the thread title says...so...any input? (I also put this in the UPenn forum.)</p>
<p>It depends on what your major is, if it's business or sciences then PENN; if anything else, Dartmouth</p>
<p>oh yeah...I'm going for a bio/public health double major...</p>
<p>i hate bumping this, but i really need some advice. i'm torn between the benefits of an urban, large undergrad school and a rural, small undergrad school..help?</p>
<p>we can't tell you which school is better or which school to attend. both schools will provide you with an excellent education. they obviously are in different environments. you must decide which environment suits you best.if you can you should visit both schools to get a feel for the students and for the campuses. try attending a class or two at each school to get a feel for the instructors and the interaction between the instructors and the students.you really can't go wrong with either school.</p>
<p>i'm going to visit both campuses this month, so i think i'll be okay as far as the "environment" evaluation is concerned. does anybody have ideas or experiences with the difference between a large vs. small undergrad class?</p>
<p>I go to Dartmouth and my best friend is at Harvard, with a definitely a bigger undergrad class. From comparing our notes, here's what we came up with:</p>
<p>Small, student-based class:
-lots of leadership opportunities for grad school (MAJOR +)
-more attention and overall "care"- you get the feeling the school genuinely wants you to enjoy your experience
-can feel claustrophobic for the highly restless, although I think the D-Plan goes a long way in ensuring a steady stream of students coming and going
-more tight-knit, well bonded student body
-more focus on the college "experience" as opposed to simply a step towards grad school</p>
<p>Large, research-based university:
-Better resources for independent study and research
-You'll have to make a significantly bigger effort to seek out and find leadership opportunities on your own, aka you're just another "faceless" undergrad
-Can be more freeing if you like lots of peers
-At schools like Harvard, Columbia, and Penn, there tend to be larger intro "weeder" classes which are especially killer on pre-med and pre-business students. On one hand, these classes suck. On the other hand, if you do well, it's an especially big accomplishment and will stand out more in grad school applications.</p>
<p>My priorities happened to lie more with the former, but definitely, visit both and see what you think. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Man.. i'm faced with the same dilemma (actually, dartmouth vs. Penn vs. Cornell, but cornell is really not holding any ground for me.) What do i do?!?!</p>
<p>The Dartmouth edge to me is: Dartmouth's LACyness (small classes, lots of grants, tea at 4pm, VERY open and friendly student body, administration friendliness), the beauty of the nearby outdoors (skating on the pond, jumping in the river, sledding down the golf course), the D-plan (sophmore summer, multiple study abroads), and the campus (smaller, easier to get around). Dartmouth is intimate, the students love it, and its socially active and friendly. Penn offers more options perhaps (much bigger school), but it loses its intimacy as a result. </p>
<p>(note I just edited a post I wrote elsewhere)</p>
<p>you have good points, slipper...those were exactly on my mind. It's so hard to decide. It's a good thing I'm visiting both places this month. Maybe it'll be easier. I just wanted to hear other people's ideas and thoughts about it. To all who posted, thank you for your insight! It is truly appreciated! ^_^</p>
<p>Granted, Penn is bigger... But I will say that while 10,000 sounds huge, you never feel like it's that big. NEVER. Penn is a cozy place. I think that once you're on campus you'll understand what I mean.</p>
<p>At any rate, either school is fantastic and I think your visits will really help you decide.</p>
<p>THere is no comparision. Dirtmoth is college like wiliiams and bowdoin, not a university. so my experience with dirtmoth alums has been very negative.</p>