Dartmouth vs. UC San Diego

Colleges & Universities A-Z Dartmouth College
1

<p>Three of my friends picked UCSD over Brown. Anyone who has been to both campuses or studied at both places give any reason why they would? </p>

<p>I personally cannot imagine going to any other school outside of California unless it was Harvard or Yale. But I digress, UCSD vs. Dartmouth. Anyone would really pick Dartmouth and why?</p>

2

<p>I personally think these two schools are on different levels. Dartmouth is an Ivy, and probably has better undergrad focus than UCSD. IMO, most non-Californians would choose Dartmouth over UCSD.</p>

3

<p>I never understand people who are HYPS or nothing. Dartmouth offers as much if not more than these schools to its undergrads, and is in the same consideration set for grad schools, jobs, etc. Why go to HYPS anyway too? You can go to UCSD and get a high GPA and do many of the same things. The reason you go to any Ivy is because of the amazing people you will meet, the resources at your findertips, the incredible networks, the tremendous teaching, and the instant credibility. Using these criteria Dartmouth is right up there.</p>

4

<p>Yeah, the only benefit Harvard or Yale could offer over Dartmouth was the fact that more people in my hometown on Long Island would have heard of it. But in terms of applying to top grad schools/top jobs, there is no advantage.</p>

5

<p>Cal1600 -- if you have 'narrowed' your search to those two disparate schools, you really need to stop and prepare a list of what you are looking for in a college education and experience. While they both have top notch academics, the experience is completey different. Plus, regardless of its attempt to add humanities, UCSD is still heavily tilted to bio-sci, even in undergrad.</p>

6

<p>i live in S.D.... and i applied dartmouth ED, a lot of people i know go to UCSD and most of them say the same thing: good education, big classes, NO SOCIAL SCENE... </p>

<p>I know many San Diegans that would not pick UCSD over Dartmouth (or any other Ivies). Maybe they would pick one of the other UC's since at least the other ones offer social opportunities over an ivy but...</p>

<p>frankly i don't know what is so appealing about big class sizes, getting f*$#ed because you cant take the classes you want to for your major, and going to a school with no social life</p>

<p>i dont know maybe i'm just biased since i've lived in S.D. all my life and i had lots of annoying co-workers who attended there</p>

7

<p>I'm from California, and I chose Dartmouth over UCSD (and UCLA, Berkeley, etc.) It was a non-issue for me, I never even considered UCSD once I knew I got into Dartmouth. I love CA, but I'm an eighth generation Californian and I've lived there my whole life, so I really wanted to try something completely different. I've extremely happy with my choice and have never regretted being here, but I definitely think I would have regretted passing up Dartmouth for a UC...To each his own, I guess.</p>

8

<p>^^ thats an interesting but unusual perspective. To pick Dartmouth over UCLA is rather perplexing, but in reality, the ivy league is just a figment of ones imagination, and athletic conference really.</p>

<p>But you are right, to each his own.</p>

9

<p>The Ivy League, as a non-athletic entity, certainly is a status symbol created by Americans throughout the centuries, but it doesn't mean that the schools are imaginary. All 8 of them are fantastic schools that embody the wide array of undergraduate experiences. I disagree with viewing the Ivy League as a whole-- in fact, I only find two of the schools appealing enough to apply to it-- but I also disagree with a reactionary dismissal of the schools.</p>

<p>You've said here and on other boards that Harvard and Yale, to you, are the only schools in the country that are worthy of matriculation outside of California, so what are you really asking? You do realize that college preference is a "to each his own" situation, so the answer to your original question is that all of us (on the Dartmouth board...) would prefer attending Dartmouth over UCSD for our own personal reasons. For me, those reasons are location, spirit/culture, history, people, calendar and life.</p>

10

<p>I felt that UCLA was kind of a mess to be honest with ya... The classrooms there were like skyscrapers >_<</p>

11

<p>Dartmouth is a small, warm, tight-knit community. UCSD is a huge school with cold strangers. If you like meeting lots of people, USCD. If you like knowing everyone in school, Dartmouth.</p>

12

<p>^^ I suppose that is a fair argument. I personally love the La Jolla area. its so beautiful and its right next to the beach. Its rather perplexing to hear about students who study on the beach and hear walruses flapping their fat flippers in the water. It must be rather surreal. </p>

<p>But I agree with what someone else said. To everyone their own. I know several out of staters who turned down good east coast schools for the San Diego/California experience and lifestyle.</p>

13

<p>I like the way you Dartmouth people are handling yourselves. You guys are making very good points. I happen to be a bias West Coaster (you guys are probably bias as well) but I do agree with you all in that it all depends on fit. If you like what Dartmouth has to offer, then that is the best place to study for you. Jetmaster2k5 said that he thought UCLA was a mess but that was his own opinion. I visit the UCLA campus and get a “warm fuzzy” feeling inside because I just love the school that much. Visiting Dartmouth will invoke no such emotions. When comparing great schools, it truly does boil down to “fit.”</p>

14

<p>Willy Wonka writes:

[quote]

You do realize that college preference is a "to each his own" situation, so the answer to your original question is that all of us (on the Dartmouth board...) would prefer attending Dartmouth over UCSD for our own personal reasons. For me, those reasons are location, spirit/culture, history, people, calendar and life.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I did an exchange term at UCSD. I wanted to transfer there. All those reasons willywonka listed, (except for calendar, which is the same) are why I like UCSD better. I'd rather be in La Jolla than Hanover, less school spirit means less annoying people, I like newer things better and history means nothing to me, and I like that the people at UCSD are more laid-back, less cliquey, and less crunchy.</p>

15

<p>Wow...I don't know who you're hanging out with, but Dartmouth students are some of the most laid-back and least cliquey I've ever encountered.</p>

16

<p>The calendar is not the same, in the way that I was thinking about it. The D-plan is the backbone of a Dartmouth education, and while it may be a quarter system, it's so much more.</p>

17

<p>"^^ I suppose that is a fair argument. I personally love the La Jolla area. its so beautiful and its right next to the beach. Its rather perplexing to hear about students who study on the beach and hear walruses flapping their fat flippers in the water. It must be rather surreal."</p>

<p>walruses flapping their flippers... uhh i think you're talking about the one closed off area in la jolla that really isnt on the beach... its walled off and rocky and it smells pretty damn bad</p>

<p>the only problem with la jolla is that its really ritzy and theres no good place to get a good bite to eat. not to mention the rent is really high as well after you get kicked out of your dorms.</p>

18

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<p>Yes, if you have noticed the skyrocketing prices of housing in Southern California, it would also apply to areas around universities as well. Now that I think about it, if less people want to go to UCSD, that would actually help depress prices.</p>

<p>Shhh... don't tell anyone to come here. lol</p>

19

<p>California1600 is a troll, please don't feed him/her by responding.</p>

20

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<p>Jeez. Columbus Ohio, the scene of the famous voting scandal of the 21st century. Your time would be better spent helping with the recall and Diebold investigation rather than on college ranking discussions.</p>