<p>Hey guys!</p>
<p>I'm really really lucky to have just gotten off the wait-list from Dartmouth and am considering canceling my SIR to Berkeley (Regents). I want to major in something that's not EECS or CS (hence I'm considering bailing from Berkeley), possibly pursuing pre-med or econ at Dartmouth.</p>
<p>I had to go through a similar situation in April when I was deciding between Duke and Berkeley, but Duke's financial aid award was too little (and they weren't even able to take in the outside scholarships I received or even consider an appeal)</p>
<p>The problem is though, Dartmouth's award was only 2 thousand dollars more than Duke, but it was able to accept my outside scholarships. ($44,000 a year Dartmouth vs $28,000 a year Berkeley). They're also currently reevaluating my package after my appeal so I'm really hoping for some good news. </p>
<p>I understand Dartmouth's econ, undergrad education quality, community friendliness, and overall surroundings are superior to Berkeley and Duke, but I wasn't able to visit the place (anyone wanna give me an idea what to expect at Dmouth + internship opportunities, grade inflations, work load)? The only other problem keeping me back from choosing Dartmouth are the hazings going on in the frats (from the Andrew Lohse article), and it would be great if someone knowledgable can comment on that. </p>
<p>I only have until Wednesday to make a decision. Anyone please help!!!</p>
<p>Rather presumptuous to say Dartmouth’s better than Duke and Cal isn’t it? Especially when almost every objective ranking in the world would have you believe that the opposite is true. Also, accept the regents. It’ll be worth it in the long run.</p>
<p>More people have heard of Cal than Dartmouth. Anyway, what the poster above me said. At Berkeley you’ll get more for your money.</p>
<p>The two above posts seem a bit ridiculous and posted by people who don’t really understand undergrad education. Berkeley is a better GRADUATE school, at the undergrad level its not going to offer what Dartmouth does. Dartmouth excels at placing its students into top graduate programs and getting them the most elite jobs. Its not going to have the rampant curves, registration issues, and large classes of Cal. For someone looking to go pre-med or get an elite business job Dartmouth’s rate of placement is much higher for a variety of reasons ranging from more access to internships to better advising and thesis/ grant opportunities. You’re simply going to have a much more tailored education at Dartmouth, not to mention a stronger network and community behind you in the longterm.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about the hazing, Lohse article was way overboard and totally sensationalized. I think if you actually see the frat scene its probably one of the mildest in the country. There are lots of social options, and Dartmouth is one of the few campuses where the greek system is overall very welcoming to anyone. There are no “guest lists” or “closed doors”, everyone hangs out together.</p>
<p>Definitely go to Dartmouth over Cal if the cost work for you. The amazing education, tightknit campus, study abroad, better advising, better access to grants, better intern/ job placement etc all make it worth it. If you were CS, and only CS, would I say go to Cal.</p>
<p>Oh whoops this is a really late response to ya’ll, but as you can probably see from my location, I chose Dartmouth. It was a really tough choice, but I figured in the end that it’ll be better for me to experience something new and that I should be able to pay off the extra debt within a few years of graduation. Hopefully I made the right decision. </p>
<p>@Happyman, I apologize that my original post sounded presumptuous. I actually respect both Berkeley and Duke very much. It’s just that from my personal visit to both schools, I wasn’t too impressed with the qualities I mentioned for each. </p>
<p>Anyway, I’d like to thank you all for sharing your thoughts. With some luck, maybe I’ll be heading to Berkeley or Duke for grad school. Who knows :)</p>