<p>If you want an ivy name, a great school with an undergrad focus, yet less school spirit and more isolation, Dartmouth might be your choice. Also, there is no way that northeastern Dartmouth is frattier, and its impossible that Dartmouth's girls are prettier, although Dartmouth is better at both categories than most Ivies. </p>
<p>Both schools have a conservative slant. Both schools will get you into good jobs or good grad schools if you work hard. You can't go wrong either way.</p>
<p>I don't think you grasp the amount of school spirit that Dartmouth has. It's more than just school spirit for the basketball team (which...as far as I can see) but it's also as a tight, close-knit community as a whole. In sports, academia, and nation-wide representation, and especially alumni support.</p>
<p>I'm not doubting that strawboy. However we're comparing Duke and Dartmouth here. Duke's alumni giving rank is second only to Princeton. Dartmouth's rank is third, so again, very comparable there.</p>
<p>Athletically Duke is impressive because Duke is able to give out athletic scholarships while still maintaining high academic standards. Until the Ivy league eliminates its rule against athletic scholarships (which it never will), Ivy athletic programs will rarely be among the nations best, and school spirit among the Ivies will never reach its highest potential.</p>
<p>Schnork unless you have been to or attend Dartmouth its hard to understand how much spirit there is. Its the only school I know of with FOUR big weekends, one every term. Alumni attendance at the five year reunion is 80%. I cannot imagine a school with more spirit, athletics or not. </p>
<p>Also the social scene is incredibly dynamic. I've been to Duke, in no way is there more happening there than at Dartmouth on a given weekend. the difference is I believe Dartmouth frats are more relaxed and less "fratty" in the traditional sense. Its a very familial environment.</p>
<p>Also this Dartmouth conservative thing is just false. Only 13% of the class of 2007 identified themselves as republican, in the 2004 election poll 84% voted for Kerry. Neither Dartmouth nor Duke even remotely lean conservative.</p>
<p>And slightly better grad placement? Come on, the difference there was as close as you can get. Any given year Dartmouth and Duke could switch places. </p>
<p>Dartmouth in my opinion offers a tightknit community feel that is unique. That plus the D-plan (sophomore summer plus ample study abroad), the undergrad focus, the lack of TAs, the outdoor beauty (its own ski slope) are reasons why I chose Dartmouth. But you can't go wrong.</p>
<p>Duke kids drink A LOT. Most of my friends drink from Wednesday to Saturday. Do Dartmouth kids drink more than that? I seriously doubt it. Duke kids hookup A LOT. There's not really a way you can tell which school has more hookups unless you've spent a considerable amount of time at both schools. Both schools have a large hookup culture. I'm not even sure that's a good thing lol.</p>
<p>I know I'm "just" a parent (who is trying to decide if I should pay full price here, vs use scholarships elsewhere ) but this is a troubling perspective. Glad you added this;</p>
<p>I think the atmosphere of a smaller, closer knit community is the significant differentiator here. Your definition of school spirit is based on a standard of athletics, whereas students at Dartmouth have a tendency to identify strongly with the school as a whole. The difference in alumni giving is negligible and, as you pointed out earlier, essentially the same.</p>
<p>Also, I don't understand how this discussion of drinking and hooking up is supposed to be impressive. If the OP wants that, s/he can get it at whatever school.</p>