<p>I know this is the dartmouth forum, but i'd really appreciate a few unbiased posts on topic. I got accepted to both, they're both AMAZING universities and i'm sure i'd love either one. The problem is since i'm in both, and since i'll be spending the next four years at one of them, i have to make sure they're perfect...hence the nitpicking.</p>
<p>okay first off, I'm interested in doing pre-med. I'd prefer courses taught by professors rather than undergrads, strong undergrad research (in the sciences), and a strong creative writing department. I'm not a partying person, and i'm not really that into sports. One more thing, (though it really shouldnt have any bearing on my decision) which ones harder to get into?</p>
<p>Dude, I am in the EXACT same situation as you. I got into Duke and Dartmouth, and I was convinced that I was going to Duke but now I am not so sure. I am also pre med, and I am visiting Dartmouth next week. It's going to be a tough decision. </p>
<p>I would like to hear comparisons of Duke and Dartmouth also. Help me choose the right D school!</p>
<p>I think that the schools are completely different. Duke is much bigger and the campus less homogeneous, in my opinion. Also location wise and... people. We are talking New England vs North Carolina ( Durham sucks! ) Make sure you visit. I have been a part of TIP at Duke for several summers now and eventhough I liked the school, I was really turned off by the idea of spending 4 years in Durham...</p>
<p>Lol I hate Durham. But if it means anything to you, one of my friends is an AB Duke who grew up in the San Francisco area. A senior at Duke, my friend says she's just about never left the Duke campus except for the airport! And she loves it--turned down Harvard for it and never looked back.</p>
<p>Seriously...if you are going to turn down Duke because of Durham...don't do it for effing New Hampshire lol.</p>
<p>Many good observations so far. although these schools are comparable on paper, they are really different. You must visit and see where you feel the most comfortable. If you don't like Durham, Raleigh and UNC are very nice and close by.</p>
<p>hmm...ammarsfound you should be aware that Dartmouth has a heavy drinking atmosphere and the whole fraternity sort of thing isnt attractive at ALL, specially if you come from a conservative background - precisely the reason i chose not to apply to dartmouth. </p>
<p>I don't know much about Duke except that its ranked above Dartmouth in USNEWS rankings.</p>
<p>In the end, choose the college that's right for you as person and not necessarily based on its name or prestige</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'd prefer courses taught by professors
[/quote]
In most departments at Duke, this is definitely not an issue. In biology/chemistry, it could be. Upper level classes are usually small, but the intro classes (Intro Bio, Eco/Evo, Genetics, Orgo) are fairly large (80-90 people). Although professors give the lectures, the weekly discussion sections and labs are run by graduate students. How Dartmouth structures their biology program, I have no idea. </p>
<p>Research in the sciences is common, and there's a special research grant for freshmen and undeclared sophomores. </p>
<p>Duke does have a great English program with various courses in creative writing. UNC, with a superb creative writing program, is a mere 20 minute bus ride away. The Chronicle is widely considered one of the best college newspapers in the country, a bonus for those interested in writing.</p>
<p>Duke has just as much drinking on campus. The big reason I chose Dartmouth over Duke was that Dartmouth has a much more LAC-like, warm and fuzzy feeling. Dartmouth has unsurpassed access to professors, no TAs outside a FEW classes, the D plan is great because of the amazing study abroad access and sophomore summer (which you hang out with your entire class, its the best), and a great social life that is more inclusive than Dukes in my opinion (everyone welcome at every party, etc).</p>
<p>Other reasons I like Dartmouth more: No campus shuttles, everyone knows everyone, people are less "jocky", arguably better reputation in business (at least in the northeast), better access to professors, no TAs, BEAUTIFUL nature nearby (We own a ski slope, the river is beautiful and its awesome to swim in during sophomore summer and in the spring for those daring enough), incredibly spirited alumni, more happy go lucky student body.</p>
<p>Dartmouth has a sense of place that's hard to quantify but I think strongly differentiates it from most schools.</p>
<p>"...and the whole fraternity sort of thing isnt attractive at ALL."</p>
<p>Is this based on your experience or hearsay? Fraternity environment has a lot to do with the type of fraternity, their members and the activities they foster. That's a sweeping statement to make regarding fraternities, specially for one bright enough to get accepted to Ivy league schools. I hope you didn't buy into the "Animal House" movie too much.</p>
<p>I'm just gonna steal this thread to ask a question because creating a new thread would be silly: How cold are the winters for a person from Maryland? My folks are like "pssh, dont consider it mannnnnn youre gonna freeze up in NH!" and so it's like Duke/UVA right now instead of Duke/Dartmouth/UVA (blah waitlisted at Brown).</p>
<p>And how're the hospitals nearby for interning? (Really? Dartmouth > Duke in pre-med? Neurosci major?)</p>
<p>Winters: really hit or miss lately, probably an effect of global warming. This most recent winter, there was actually a snow day at Dartmouth, but other than that was pretty mild from what I heard (l was on a study abroad program). The winter before was very mild--highs were in the 30s and 40s most of the time.</p>
<p>If you're pre-med, there are plenty of opportunities for that--the Nathan Smith Premedical Society helps organize a job shadowing program at the DHMC, only about two miles away and reachable by free shuttle service. There are, I'm quite sure, opportunities at the medical school and student health center (Dick's House) adjacent to the undergrad campus.</p>
<p>I'm also a neuroscience major and pre-med, and once you get past a bad prof in the intro course, the neuroscience major is pretty highly regarded and VERY popular at Dartmouth.</p>
<p>hey i made the same exact decision last year- premed also. im actually from california so the warmer weather at duke was a big plus for me. my dad does medical research and he asked a few doctors around about duke and dartmouth and they hands down went for duke. also i visited both schools, both have great campuses, dartmouth's is a lot of white buildings on green lawns, duke is more of a forest setting with gothic architecture- personally i loved dukes! in terms of the students i felt like the kids at dartmouth were a little quirkier- thats a good or bad thing depending on what you're looking for. anyways good luck making your decision, cant go wrong either way.</p>
<p>Both are great schools. For the people who complain about Durham, At least duke is within a couple miles of life, I felt stranded in the middle of nowhere when i visited Dartmouth. I could see why people would like dartmouth is they are into the whole rural/LAC feel. I liked Duke's campus more and it seems to have more going on. I say it really depends on what you want. If your more social and into school spirit: Duke. If you are more into the hippy school feel (not to say duke isn't liberal) and like the D plan: go with Dartmouth. You can't go wrong with either choice</p>