<p>I posted this in the Dartmouth forum, but I wanted some more opinions: I was admitted in Columbia and Dartmouth and I'm planning to go into economics and finance. I like both of their campuses equally, and really can't decide. They might seem like polar opposites, but I appreciate both Dartmouth's peacefulness and Columbia's vibrancy. Some factors that I don't know much about but would like to consider are: 1. which is better at getting people into top grad schools (especially business schools) 2. which is better at placing people in jobs in finance 3. which has better recruiting. Also, what are the general strengths and weaknesses of each?</p>
<p>1) almost no one goes right into bschool from ugrad, so consider question 2 first, which really is related to question 3. where you work and then of course your gmat (to an extent your ugrad gpa) matter most here. certainly you want to think about getting a good education preparation, but ultimately it is your job that will determine grad school.
2) they are ivy league schools, finance recruits heavily at both, therefore placement is strong in both. i could go off on some rant about how columbia is better, and i think it is in the end very good - but i prefer to say the two are equally good for different reasons in this dept (dart being smaller, i’d say being more conserva-prep), columbia is in new york but is tempered by the fact it is probably has more save the world types
3) ditto. </p>
<p>general strengths - there are tons of threads on this. and in fact a protracted columbia v. dartmouth debate.</p>
<p>but ultimately i think it is important to note that even if you like both campuses equally (a notion that i think if we interrogated we could easily discover not to be true), the experiences are truly different. columbia is as you say about vibrancy, and dartmouth is about peacefulness. so whether it is flipping a coin, or digging deep into your core - come to a sense about what you want for 4 years. in the end there is no wrong answer i believe, they are two top schools. </p>
<p>columbia is best for go-getter types, people that relish the adventure, and can live sometimes without structure (ironic considering the core). that is not to say there is not a full gamut of students at columbia from the conserva-preps to other extremes, but i think there is something rather entrepreneurial inherent in living in new york, and a spirit that you have to want to hold onto. </p>
<p>to an extent though - no matter how entrepreneurial you think you are now, columbia and its culture will make you that. it will make you want to grab hold of something, shake the life out of it in a way. its a fun place.</p>
<p>When it comes to business and finance, keep in mind its FAR easier to get an internship when your a student at Columbia in New York City, as opposed to at Dartmouth in the middle of New Hampshire.</p>
<p>You could get school year Friday-Saturday-Sunday internships at Columbia, because there’s very little commute with almost everything available in the city. If you like media, you’ve got major newspapers and TV outlets, if you like Business you obviously have Wall Street, if you like fashion you’re obviously in a good place, and etc.</p>
<p>When it comes to internships and recruiting, you’re going to have a way easier time at Columbia than Dartmouth just because of location.</p>