<p>So up until today I was happily planning to head off to Dartmouth in the fall, but just got off the waitlist at Midd, and since I've always loved the school I want to think the choice through.</p>
<p>Middlebury and Dartmouth seem like pretty similar schools to me, although Dartmouth is bigger (although not by too much) and I'm a bit worried about the impact of the frats on the Dartmouth social scene. Academically I'm interested in creative writing and film, along with social sciences. Mostly I just want to be around smart, outdoorsy, happy kids who love the school they go to and don't take themselves too seriously.</p>
<p>Any particular pros and cons you guys can come up with?</p>
<p>Wow flippydoo - a true dilemna. Given your statement "Mostly I just want to be around smart, outdoorsy, happy kids who love the school they go to and don't take themselves too seriously", you seem to have struck gold twice - you clearly just described Dartmouth, but I think you might have described Middlebury too. If you haven't already, search the websites for the the departments you are particulary interested in. Here are some Dartmouth links to get you started:
Film: Department</a> of Film & Television Studies Student</a> Work Film</a> and Television Studies</p>
<p>"Mostly I just want to be around smart, outdoorsy, happy kids who love the school they go to and don't take themselves too seriously."</p>
<p>Sounds like Dartmouth to me.</p>
<p>I wouldn't worry about the frat scene. I don't go to the frats, and many of my friends don't go to the frats, and we're doing fine and happy. I must admit though, the student body does seem a bit segregated between the frat-goers and the non-frat-goers. But this only proves my point that the frat parties do not have to apply to everyone.</p>
<p>Whatever you do, do respond quickly! I am sure you would be happy at either, but it is this sort of summer melt that might, just might allow Dartmouth to use its waitlist.</p>
<p>Choose Dartmouth.
Middlebury is a great school, but still not Dartmouth.</p>
<p>As for worrying about the fraternities, Don't. If you've been watching these forums, every other accepted student writes on here to say "I don't drink... will I be ostracized!?!?!" The same was true with about half the students I met at Dimensions. Trust me when I tell you that there are tons of other students who are less than thrilled about the idea of fraternities/sorrorities. What happens once they get here, though, is that they are not that big of a deal to not drink. You can still enjoy the tons of dance parties that go on. Plus, you will be in good company if you decide to never go out.</p>
<p>I'm assuming you also posted this question on the Middlebury board.</p>
<p>Edit: Yes, you did. More people responded to you on this board than on Midd's. Does that mean anything? (Yeah, like that's what you should base your decision on . . . .)</p>
<p>Good luck. There's no right answer 'cause there's no bad choice. You will love wherever you choose and you will never look back.</p>
<p>You can always go to Middlebury for undergrad and Dartmouth for grad school, but if you go to Dartmouth for undergrad, you'll never again have the opportunity to attend Middlebury College (unless you do a summer language program, which isn't the same experience).</p>
<p>Re size: Dartmouth's undergraduate body is almost twice as large (4,100 vs 2,300). For two schools in small towns in the mountains of northern NE, I think that makes quite a bit of difference. (Leaving graduate programs aside.)</p>
<p>Hmmm...I was in your position just three weeks ago. Dart and Midd were basically tied for me, but I ended up selecting Dartmouth. Dimensions really sold me, but I love both places immensely. Honestly, go for fit, wherever you feel right. Try to recall impressions of the campus and the people, and go from there. And I have to agree with everyone, the decription of your ideal classmates fits both Dartmouth and Middlebury students.</p>
<p>Your description fits both perfectly. Dartmouth IS the "happy go lucky, outdoorsey, fun" school with students who are hilarious and fun loving yet intellectual. Middlebury is very similar but the truth is that many more students choose Dartmouth over Midd than the other way around.</p>
<p>hmmm...both places seem so great, I'm thinking Dartmouth, but I want to be sure to think it out as much as possible.</p>
<p>as a prospective film/english (w/ creative writing) major I'm got to say that Midd's opportunity to spend a year/semester studying at USC or NYU film schools sounds kinda tantalizing, anyone know if something similar is possible at dartmouth?</p>
<p>You can study at any school for transfer credit, you just have to apply (and get approved). It probably wont be 'guaranteed' like I assume Middlebury's is.</p>
<p>I decided to stick with Dartmouth, which was my original instinct, but I wanted to make sure I explored all the options as fully as possible. Thanks for all the help!</p>