<p>If you can stand one more of these "Dartmouth versus ... " threads, I'd really appreciate hearing your analysis of the critical differences between Dartmouth and Brown, especially with regard to: 1) characteristics of the student body, 2) the social scene and 3) student-faculty relations. In general, what sort of person/student thrives at each place? What sort of person is likely to be unhappy? Thanks!</p>
<p>Wolrab -
I really hope some students respond to this because they are who you want most to hear from I am sure. I am the parent of a senior though so I have been listening to her enthusiasm for a few years and have been on campus a few times. </p>
<p>As you will have noted on the Brown forum, all the schools you have (your child has?) been accepted to have very loyal students and alums - who had the time of their lives in college and are eager to point out all the great things about it. I doubt very many posters on the Dartmouth Board are going to be able to address the differences between students who flourish at D vs. those who flourish at B because, they ended up at D. Since there are a lot of cross admits, they might be able to tell you why they decided on D over B and that in itself might give you some insight. For the most part though, the point of view on this board is likely to be Dartmouth-centric.</p>
<p>Anyhow, without saying that any might not also be true about Brown, I have observed the following about Dartmouth:</p>
<p>1) Characteristics of the student body: really, so diverse. As is likely the case with many schools of this caliber, Admissions is interested in crafting an interesting class that is diverse in every possible definition of the word - a class of students who are fun to know and learn from. Clearly, students are all very bright and already very accomplished, but there is a tacit understanding that bragging in frowned upon so it is always fun to discover just how amazing your fellow students are. Maybe it is because of this that certain schools are stereotyped as being "intellectual" but Dartmouth rarely is. Don't think that Dartmouth students are any less intellectual - maybe just not self-consciously so as a whole. The incoming class comes together tightly, and the upper classes are extremely welcoming from beginning, so that the incoming class quickly feels part of the college. I mentioned in an earlier post that the DOC trips go a long way toward setting the tone for the whole experience. If you were to visit you would find students everywhere incredibly friendly and eager to tell you what they love about Dartmouth. If you were to interview a group of students waiting for a bus to return to Dartmouth after the first break, you would find them excited to get back 'home' to Dartmouth. If you were to talk to a lot of seniors right now, you would find that they really DON'T want to think too hard about the fact that all of this is almost all over. </p>
<p>Social Scene: this has been addressed in many threads. The social scene is largely, but not wholly, confined to the campus, but it is certainly still rich. Check out other threads. Check out the social scene in the online version of TheDartmouth. Check out the offerings at the HOP. Frats have a larger presences at Dartmouth than many schools, a fact which seems to turn off more prospective students than it turns on. Surely the case for my D, but yet she has said it to be true that (a), Frats ARE uniquely open to the whole campus; (b) drinking is definitely a social choice for many but you can go through 4 years of college and not drink and not be excluded from any activities, including fraternity events (c) students find many other social groups instead or in addition to, the fraternity/sorority scene. The outing club is an unusually active one and the surrounds encourage this of course. Many intramural and club sports exist at every level. Each quarter has one big, traditional weekend which involves the entire campus.</p>
<p>Student faculty relations: As you have also no doubt heard, close and easy relations are facilitated and encouraged. It is never difficult to seek out time with a professor and know them outside the classroom as well. Dartmouth is more akin to an LAC than a university with doctoral degrees in regard to the fact that teaching is the primary purpose and that plentiful research opportunities are offered to undergraduates.</p>
<p>Who thrives - who would be unhappy: From what I have seen, a vast majority of students thrive and they are by no means all cut of the same mold. Students are generally, genuinely nice - as people and to each other. You could imagine that the climate might be enough to make some from the extremely temperate climes unhappy - but that is not always the case. You could imagine that small town New England might be difficult for the urbanite - but some welcome the change for 4 years. I have a hard time answering this one. </p>
<p>Anyhow - hope some students add their two cents -</p>
<p>Ohmadre - did you attend Dartmouth? Just curious.</p>