<p>Snuffles,</p>
<p>Thanks for the response on the #of yrs of residency for instate eligibility. </p>
<p>All,
If the answer is different please let me know. It will help my siblings and all the people out there who do not know the answer to instate eligibility.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Dartmouth is a very unique institution with many amazing things that make it very special.
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</p>
<p>Now replace Dartmouth with Berkeley- it's still true! But they're different schools, most certainly. What else are you interested in studying other than econ/finance?</p>
<p>Does either school have much for finance? </p>
<p>I don't think Berkeley weeds too much for econ, just somewhat. </p>
<p>And as to fighthing, I question the notion to some degree. Going to talk to your professor before class, after class, and/or during office hours is not much of a fight in my eyes.</p>
<p>But Dartmouth is incredibly unique even among the Ivies. It has amazing professor interaction, one of the only ones without TAs, the only one that caps class size (unlike other places with 300+ students in a gut). Dartmouth has sophomore summer so you literally know half your graduating class, it has the dplan so multiple study abroads are likely, and it has tons of endowed undergrad depts that literally hand out grants for thesis research (I got 10K for my research in the pacific). It has an incubator for start-up companies (I got free office space and an incredible group of advisors) and the alumni office literally calls you to ask you where you are. And all of this serves only 4400 undergrads. Add the best graduate placement outside of HYPSM and the happiest student body in the country and you have a very unique institution.</p>
<p>I'm going to agree with slipper here. Dartmouth is a jewel among the Ivies for real student interaction. The caps on class sizes is very nice and is reputation for Ugrad is highly respected. Prestige, happiness, small ugrad, Ivy rep/endowment/etc.</p>
<p>Econ/Fin is my primary focus. Considering that we are in such a technology driven world, I would not be averse to looking at some Comp Sc courses. But I do not want to make a career as a Comp Sc person</p>
<p>Is Dartmouth considered tier 2 compared to HYPSM? Why?</p>
<p>I have to say I am beginning feel to just a little bit inclined towards Dartmouth. Almost everything else being equal other than class size, the only other thing to remember about Dartmouth is perhaps the long winter. I ski, but am I passionate about skiing. Nah. I deal well with snow coz I have not had to shovel snow and tread through several inches of snow. I don't know if that might be a damper. </p>
<p>How far are the dorms from the classes in Dartmouth?</p>
<p>Personally, in your case I would definitely choose Dartmouth over Berkeley anyday. I feel that it has the second best undergraduate program in the states only to be beaten out by Princeton. Also, the small school lifestyle offers plenty of attention compared to Berkeley which is nearing about 6,000 a class compared to Dartmouth's 1,000 a class. Also, the prestige of the school will offer more future benefits not to say Berekeley isn't prestigious in its own right. Also, whether either of these will be in-state is key as well as the obvious differences in weather. Finally, visit and research the school. Darthmouth is one of the biggest beer drinking schools and be wary of the D-Plan, with Berkeley, you won't know anyone's name but the diversity of the school will bring its rewards and student involvement is big with awesome publications and political activism.</p>
<p>But don't forget, in the end, make this YOUR choice, go where you're happy and feel comfortable.</p>
<p>Does it make a difference if I go to Dartmouth at a time that is not "dimension days". I might have a conflict with other things scheduled.</p>
<p>Literally many of the dorms are less than a 5min walk, two minute bike ride except for the river dorm which is still very close to many classes. Its a pretty well designed campus. As for dimension days, I would try really hard to go, it will give you the most complete picture.</p>
<p>About capped class sizes, doesn't that limit class availability? Also, like I said before, what does either school offer to you in terms of finance? If you're interested in comp sci, what can Dartmouth do for you there? There seem to be many good reason to go to each school, and if Dartmouth's right for you, that's great. It offers many things that Berkeley cannot, but there are some things Berkeley offers that Dartmouth cannot.</p>
<p>I agree that for "voactional" areas like Comp Sci, engineering, marketing, film, etc going to a big state school with a top program trumps going to a top ranked school overall. I'd say for someone who wants to work for ernst and young in accounting, its almost impossible for an Ivy grad to get that job because they simply don't recruit for it. But for a future banker the Ivies are the ticket most often. Also if you want to live in the bay area after school, Berkeley is also the right choice.</p>
<p>I think most people put Berkeley fairly highly on "top schools overall." Whether or not that's deserved, that's another issue, but being even one of the best 50 schools (including LACs) is pretty good, and most seem to consider Berkeley higher than top 50 including every type of school.</p>
<p>i'm sorry, this has been bothering me for a while as i've been on this forum, but what exactly is an LAC?</p>
<p>Short for a Liberal Arts College. :)</p>
<p>Yeah, of course Berk is easily top 15-20. For many areas its one of the best choices you can make, its just not as strong as the Ivies in some areas.</p>
<p>I am definitely going to visit both Dartmouth and Berkeley. Unfortunately, it seems like I am not going during Dimension at Dartmouth or Cal-day at Berkeley. Maybe I will get to see the campus without all the marketing hype. Both colleges have been very supportive and receptive to my college visit dates.</p>
<p>It might be much better to see each campus sans marketing. It would probably be more representative of each school.</p>
<p>Yes. I agree. I think in a way it will be good for me to see the schools without any marketing hype. Let's see if that helps me make a more informed decision.</p>
<p>TMC, Cal grad here (BS and MBA). </p>
<p>A few points:
-the "weedout" factor at Cal is <em>way</em> overblown here. The average GPA at Cal is now about 3.25, which isn't near the ivies (they're closer to 3.5 I believe), but it's hardly the stuff of nightmares. There are only two truly brutal majors on campus: electrical engineering and molecular bio.</p>
<p>-upper-division classes at Cal are fairly intimate. Not quite the factory as some describe it. As well, as some pointed out, what you lose in class size vs Dartmouth you more than make up in terms of class offerings.</p>
<p>IMHO, the only real advantage that Dartmouth has over Cal is the placement and Wall Street network if you want to go there. You can definitely get there from Cal, but the competition is fiercer. For grad schools however, you're on the same footing, their admissions depts filter out grade inflation and have a lot of respect for Cal.</p>
<p>I will just say that my Cal education and the contacts I've made there have really helped, professionally. Cal is much better positioned to take advantage of the economic rise of Asia, which is the main story of this century. And trust me, very few people have heard of Dartmouth in Shanghai or Mumbai, but Berkeley is second to none there, and elsewhere (outside of the east coast that is.) When you look at reputations, you need to look past the salons of the east coast, and more into the centers of cultural and economic development of the 21st century, where you will find that Berkeley is most highly respected and represented.</p>
<p>Other than international outlook, Cal is superior to Dartmouth in terms of technology. There are some amazing tech business classes. I had a venture capital class taught by one of the top partners in the top law firms in silicon valley. My econ class was taught by the chief economist of the Bank of America. I had several dinners with two chief economic advisers who are on the Bus Ad faculty at Haas. I had two classes taught by Nobel prizes. </p>
<p>A couple more points:
-the skiing is <em>far</em> superior at Cal! No comparison between the gorgeous Sierras and Lake Tahoe vs those miserable icy hills back east... Sailing, windsurfing, kiteboarding--- yearround!
-the beer and food is much, much better around Cal. Probably the most sophisticated area for this in North America. And let's not get into wine (ahem...Napa)
-the setting at Cal is actually fairly pastoral, considering it is in the heart of the fourth largest urban agglomeration in the US. The whole eastern side of campus is a regional park that stretches for 40 miles. Bike trails, cows, redwood forests, gorgeous bay views... Cal beats Dartmouth in terms of countriside too. </p>
<p>No contest, Cal all the way!</p>