<p>Financial aid being equal, which would YOU choose and why?</p>
<p>Definitely Dartmouth!</p>
<p>First, wait for the actual acceptances to come in, you may find that the decison could be made for you.</p>
<p>My D was accepted to both schools and choose Dartmouth because she said you definitely feel the difference between ~1600 students and 4000.</p>
<p>She had been to both schools ~ 3 times but Dimensions sealed the deal for her. She committed to attend with 4 friends that she met at dimensions, who are all still great friends as seniors. She has never waivered in her decision and 4 years later it was been a wonderful experience for her.</p>
<p>Both are really amazing schools and you will get a great education no matter which one you attend. My advice is visit both and see which one you think would be the best choice for you.</p>
<p>all the best.</p>
<p>Thanks for the insight. I did get into both (I got a likely from Dartmouth and an email from Amherst's minority recruitment program). But I was hoping the decision would be made for me a little haha. I'll be visiting both in april I think I'm leaning towards Dartmouth right now if only for the size. But I like Amherst's open curriculum. Ah its so hard because they're VERY similar I think.</p>
<p>How big of a factor is Amherst's small student body? I haven't received my decision from them yet, but I would be a little apprehensive to attend a college that's even smaller than my high school.</p>
<p>I LOVE Amherst's size. I love the town of Amherst, I love Northampton, I love the consortium (Amherst never feels too small, it's in a vibrant college town). I love the open curriculum, I think Amherst is just wonderful.</p>
<p>That said, I'm biased. I heard Dartmouth is great, too, and you'll probably be happy at either school. Go visit the schools and you should get a sense of how you feel about them.</p>
<p>I'd go for Amherst because of:</p>
<ul>
<li>open curriculum</li>
<li>Northampton>Hanover</li>
<li>smaller student body (but the nearby colleges compensate in a lovely manner)</li>
<li>not as much emphasis on drinking/Greek life</li>
</ul>
<p>People really need to get over this drinking-so-much-at-Dartmouth thing.</p>
<p>JEez.</p>
<p>i chose dartmouth over amherst because of 1) financial aid and 2) dartmouth's language and exchange programs. the quarter system is bothersome, but i gotta admit it's very effective in facilitating flexible off-terms and foreign study programs.</p>
<p>well, i would choose dartmouth because of the better proximity to quality outdoor activities and the DOC in general (better, closer hiking, biking, skiing), the larger-but-not-large student body, the off-campus programs and opportunities.</p>
<p>Also, i dunno, but i liked the general feel at d better and the students too.</p>
<p>I would visit both. I clearly am biased towards Dart, but they are fantastic choices. Pick the one you like more.</p>