<p>Hey guys! I got in RD to Columbia, Dartmouth, UPenn, and Duke. Right now, I'm really considering Columbia and Dartmouth cuz they were my top choices after Yale (deferred then rejected, but it's all good). I'm having trouble making the decision, and while I plan on attending both Dimensions and Columbia's April 11-12 accepted students days, I was wondering if you guys could help me out.</p>
<p>One of the biggest things that draws me to Dartmouth is the tradition and community that comes with being in Hanover, but at the same time, I don't think I can be a frat boy. That being said, I've attended a small, predominantly white private school in suburban, central New Jersey practically my whole life. Obviously I'm no stranger to the city, but I don't know if living in the city is right for me.</p>
<p>So what do you guys think? I know that Greek life dominates Dartmouth's social scene (or should I say comprises?). And I'll be honest, right now I'm trying to escape a group of acquaintances who find their main idea of fun in simply drinking every weekend.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any comments. I realize that my post is rather vague, so if you guys have questions for me to clarify my own situation, I'll be checking this thread quite often, as it is going to be a huge decision for me.</p>
<p>The 2 schools could not be any further apart from one another in terms of just about everything. I would recommend you look up post by Slipper (or perhaps he will chime in on the thread). He can give you a good perspective on both schools (attended Columbia, transferred to Dartmouth).</p>
<p>I had a similar problem last year. I decided on Dartmouth because the school really seemed to have an interest in having me come here. Nobody I spoke to had anything bad to say about it and always seemed to have truly enjoyed all their time spent in Hanover. Columbia was slow with their responses to questions(which they at least called to solicit) and seemed to be ok with the idea of me not going there whereas Dartmouth projects the idea that it wants “you” to attend. Here’s the responses I got.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/692435-three-schools-financial-dilemma-give-me-some-advice.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/692435-three-schools-financial-dilemma-give-me-some-advice.html</a></p>
<p>Both are great schools! Congrats on your wonderful acceptances :)</p>
<p>I’m also a '14, and I can say that I don’t plan on becoming a frat boy. Nor do I plan to drink excessively to have fun. You’re not alone!</p>
<p>I’m a Dartmouth '14 and honestly I really wouldn’t worry about the “drunk frat boy stereotype”. I have a lot of friends there and they have never felt pressure to drink. Columbia is a great school in every respect, except that I feel like it is a bit too graduate oriented, whereas Dartmouth is the opposite. But you really can’t go wrong with any choice! Good luck!</p>
<p>If you want city and things to do, Columbia. If you want isolation, tight-knit community, Dartmouth. Have you ever visited Columbia? I find the wooden lecture hall seats in Columbia to be most unbearable to sit in for even 30 minutes. Does Dartmouth have comfortable seats (this is trivial, but still, it’s so hard to focus in Columbia’s lecture halls)?</p>
<p>My experience with Dartmouth was that it had a very tight knit community, which is helpful in terms of often cutthroat academic environemnts</p>