Dartmouth vs. Penn

<p>I have gotten into dartmouth and am still waiting to hear from Penn. If I have the decision to decide between the two what is your guyz vote. I could see myself in either setting and would like to have a great social life, especially since this year at my current college was not fun at all.</p>

<p>I am tempted to stay away from penn because i am an econ major in the college and feel that i would maybe be overshadowed by wharton and my dad went there (kinda want something new). Then again, Penn may be a better time. I would greatly appreciate your advice.</p>

<p>-jeff</p>

<p>Dart over Penn for academics and fun. No brainer.</p>

<p>Penn over Dart for academics and fun. No brainer.</p>

<p>^ haha you guys are funny.</p>

<p>jeff5 just visit both colleges and go from there. Try to find that inner feeling that will make you sway towards one more than the other. BTW what were your transfer stats?</p>

<p>Dude,</p>

<p>How did you get into Dartmouth? Don't they only accept like 3 (30) people a year? what were ur stats?</p>

<p>hey guyz thanks for the responses im goin to spend a nite at dart this weekend i dont feel like postin stats on this site since im not sure who looks at it give me ure email if u wanna know anyways is anyone on this board plannin on goin to dart next year</p>

<p>get at me at <a href="mailto:matm1@umbc.edu">matm1@umbc.edu</a></p>

<p>I appreciate it bro</p>

<p>dartmouth is beautiful!! my sister graduated from there. there isn't really much to do though... just a street of shops that you can walk through in about an hour. but the atmosphere is nice if you like green. there are parties and good people wherever you go. good luck!</p>

<p>there is so much to do at Penn- I mean, thats a given, being in the middle of Philly. And its a really beautiful campus for such an urban environment- lots of trees and old architecture. </p>

<p>I dont know what Maize&Blue22 is talking about- economics is not only the largest department in the College at Penn, but its also one of the top 10 econ programs in the country. Don't worry, you won't be overshadowed by Wharton. And as far as social life goes, Penn is known as the "social ivy" for a reason- people there work hard during the week, and then go party hard on the weekends.</p>

<p>thanks for the advice silmon77. do u go to school there now</p>

<p>
[quote]
Penn is known as the "social ivy" for a reason

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Only to Penn!</p>

<p>Dartmouth is much more fun (hell, "animal house" is based on Dartmouth's rowdy frat scene) . Also, unlike Penn, you can wander down the block and not be assaulted with a deadly weapon.</p>

<p>I'm not saying that I prefer one over the other...</p>

<p>But "work hard, play hard" is hardly compelling. In fact, from my experience, it's a pretty poor excuse for a "social life."</p>

<p>I've visited (and have quite a few friends at) Dartmouth and I am at Penn. I'm not big on Dartmouth's location. Claiming their academics are better is purely subjective as the rankings tell quite a different tale. </p>

<p>According to the '95 NRC rankings, Penn had the 8th best econ dept in the country. Dartmouth wasn't even ranked. Obviously, I'd visit both schools but I like Penn more (obviously).</p>

<p>Also, according to the NRC rankings (the only such list that I know of that has a comprehensive statistical ranking), Penn is the 9th best research university in the US. Dartmouth isn't in the top 60. How much this might affect your undergrad is debatable, but it might give you an idea of relative program sizes/strengths.</p>

<p>what's so great about dartmouth besides the drinking?</p>

<p>(Posted elsewhere also)</p>

<p>Totally go to Dartmouth. Honestly, as a transfer the reason is something not immediately perceivable. Transfers fit into Dartmouth faster than at almost any school in the country. I was one and 99% of people dont even know I ever transferred. My friend who transferred from JHU to Penn (who I can put you in touch with) didnt have nearly as easy a transition. Here's why: 1) Dartmouth is small so its easy to meet people 2) people don't rush frats until sophomore winter so you rush with your class if you want that scene 3) there is sophomore summer a BIG chance to meet people 4) a majority of students do study abroad so you meet alot of awesome people there 5) transfer orientation occurs at the same time/ place as regular orientation.</p>

<p>As for Hnbui, Dartmouth is an amazing community. What can you do with 4000 awesomely talented people who are amazingly friendly and cool? The answer is everything. I didn't have a TV for over a year and never missed it! Whether it was hiking, jumping off the rope swing into the beautiful connecticut river, pulling a prank, or sledding down the golf course it was awesome. You will find people drink at every college, they just make it more fun at Dartmouth. Also, Dartmouth is amazing about making the EXPERIENCE special. A majority go on study abroad, and many do research funded by the school. I lived in Oxford England, in the Marshall Islands, and in Barcelona all in one year and paid normal tuition (and Dartmouth funded me in the Marshall ISlands since it was my thesis research).</p>

<p>Dartmouth is an undergraduate college first and foremost. It was the best four years of my life (I am still waiting on being a millionaire (I'm only 24), then I'll see if that changes haha)</p>

<p>Actually, I'm going to Penn this fall as a freshman, but I've done a lot of research, talked to a lot of people, and spent a weekend in the dorms a month ago. The more I hear about it, the more I love it.</p>

<p>However, to be objective about it, remember that you're basically getting the shaft as far as housing goes. All the popular dorms are taken, and since on-campus housing is NOT guarunteed, you may have to rent an apartment down the street over or something. Also, I've heard that if you're not social as a freshman, it gets harder to find your niche of friends, so I'm not sure how well transfer students fare.</p>

<p>Penn for me was an easy choice. But if I were you, and location/weather didnt matter, I think I'd stick with Dartmouth. But its up for you to decide which school fits you better.</p>

<p>I chose between Harvard, Brown, Duke, and Dartmouth and I largely chose Dartmouth because I felt it would be much easier to assimilate socially. It honestly turned out to be true. Dartmouth transfers actually get some of the best housing, you have special events, get to go on first year orientation, etc. They treat you almost better than the first years, which is the opposite of how most schools treat transfers.</p>

<p>Thanks for the responses! Yeah I heard dartmouth transfer students live with other non-transfer sophomores. Sounds like they make it an easy transition.</p>

<p>The housing situation isn't that bad from what I've heard, but I chose to live off-campus simply because I enjoy the freedom. Dartmouth may be better for a transfer, I'm not sure. At Penn I've had some difficulty getting transfer credit (it's just an arduous process) but I know the profs are mostly world class and the students are probably very similar to those at Dartmouth. I'd be fairly certain that you'd get all of your in-major credits, though. The others will probably be mostly "free" or general departmental credits. Unless you took something insane you'll get ALL of your credits at Penn...most likely at Dart too.</p>

<p>"Dartmouth is much more fun (hell, "animal house" is based on Dartmouth's rowdy frat scene) ."</p>

<p>Maize, you ever party at Penn?! I've partied at both Penn and Dart and Penn's parties tend to be better overall IMO. You aren't limited to just a frat. You have ALL of Philly to do crap in.</p>