Hello CC,
So decision time is here and I’m so grateful that I have plenty of great college options to choose from. I’ve been accepted to 8 schools and have received similar(ly fantastic) aid packages from all of them. I am planning to visit most of these schools, but I have a feeling that the final decision will be between Dartmouth and Hopkins. I’m pretty sure I want to do international studies, but if I change my mind it will be either to Econ/math or possibly an English-related field.
In addition to that, I am interested in doing a cappella in college, along with mock trial and literary magazine. I would also like to try to join a club volleyball team (but nothing too serious there).
Which school would offer me the best opportunities for these fields? What are the pros and cons of location, student body, and campus activities for each? Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Thanks so much!
Dartmouth is really isolated- 2 hrs from Boston, and has the well deserved reputation of being frat centric. If you have no interest in joining a frat or playing beer pong on weekends, because there is there are few social options I recommend you go to JH.
I was worried about the drinking/frat culture at Dartmouth, but is it really as bad as everyone makes it sound? I’ve always heard that people at Dartmouth tend to be absolutely thrilled to be there - is it only because of the drinking culture?
I guess what I’m asking is - is there nothing else to do in Hanover besides drink and party? And also, is the social life at Hopkins better than Dartmouth?
Hopkins is in a city, Dartmouth is in a small village. There is lots more to do in a city than an isolated village.
The stories about there really not having much else to do in Hanover outside of class time, besides party, [unless you are an athlete], ring true because they are true. .
A very large % of Dartmouth students join frats. What does that tell you?
I have a friend who’s at Dartmouth. Never imagined he’d join a frat. He’s in a frat. He also said he never leaves the campus other than heading towards Boston to fly home.
What about academically? For International Studies (Middle East) with a possible minor/double major in Econ, which would be the best choice?
I also want to do a cappella and mock trial - is there a clear choice here?
I’m also a girl, if that helps. I’d be joining a sorority if anything, not a frat.
JHU is pretty renowned for International Relations at the undergrad level and especially at the grad level due to SAIS (arguably top graduate school in IR). Due to SAIS’s location in DC with tons of JHU alums, you’ll have lots of connections to opportunities in DC (about 45 minutes away from Hopkins).
"(arguably top graduate school in IR) Due to SAIS’s location in DC with tons of JHU alums, you’ll have lots of connections to opportunities in DC (about 45 minutes away from Hopkins). "
For those 2 reasons there should be NO doubt about where to go for your UG years.
Being at a U that has the TOP IR program trumps all other options. And you will be close to Washington- that alone will mean lots of internship opportunities!
Congrats again!