<p>All right so I've narrowed it down to 6 schools. I have a favorite so far, but I won't say which one it is to avoid getting those "If ___ is your favorite, apply there!" threads- it's not ahead by that much, anyways. Soo my basic info is:</p>
<p>-applying ED (hence the need to pick a school fast)</p>
<p>Likes:
-a "work hard, play hard" atmosphere (IMPORTANT)
-prestige (also super important! Yes, I'm a prestige-whore. No, I didn't pick these schools out of a hat merely because they're prestigious. I like each of them for a different reason.)
-a friendly, unified student body
-strong biology program
-high rates of acceptance into prestigious med schools
-attractive guys (haha)...and along those lines, a school where dating isn't non-existent. I"m all for occasional flings :p but I don't think I can take 4 years of only that.
-not super-competitive (although I know that pre-meds are usually pretty competitive...I mean that I don't want to be in a situation where the girl sitting next to me will rip up my notes when I'm not looking or something)
-professors who are highly regarded in their fields of study
-professors who put their students before their research
-well-rounded students (who live for more than academics, while still acknowledging that academics are very important)
-Nice campus (definitely a perk, but not a necessity)
-pre-professional focus- pre-med, pre-law, pre-business, etc. (again, not a necessity)
-lots of opportunities to do health-industry related community service/research as an undergrad</p>
<p>See my problem? Several of the schools fit into multiple categories. If you need to see my stats to help determine how well I'll fit each school or whatever, just check my profile for recent threads. </p>
<p>I would really appreciate any help you guys can give me...</p>
<p>Out of all the schools on your list, the ones most similar to one another socially and academically are Dartmouth, Princeton, and Dartmouth in terms of preprofessionalism - Stanford is rumored to be more laidback, and since its on the West Coast its a bit different than its Eastern counterparts. Its almost 40% Cali students, so apply California stereotypes to Stanford if you wish. Columbia socially is not as fun in terms of the party scene as the other schools. Brown is fun and laidback, not sure how preprofessional it is but its an enjoyable school.</p>
<p>All of them have excellent rates into med programs, stellar academics, prestige, etc. with Princeton and Stanford slightly ahead of the other four - but these are arguably 6 of the 10 best schools in the country, so you have quite a strong list.</p>
<p>Socially, if you want students who drink hard/party hard sometimes and study hard as well, look at Duke and Dartmouth and their social scenes - in particular, Duke's social scene was given plenty of media coverage as you've probably seen, and it still maintains top academics as well.</p>
<p>With that said, you can't go wrong with any of these schools - based on the social characteristics you've stated, I would say look at Pton, Dartmouth, and Duke the most closely out of the six.</p>
<p>If you don't have a clear favorite, apply EA Stanford and the rest RD - a pretty easy strategy.</p>
<p>DUKE fits all of these reasons of yours pretty well.</p>
<p>-work hard, play hard" atmosphere (IMPORTANT)
-prestige (also super important! Yes, I'm a prestige-whore. No, I didn't pick these schools out of a hat merely because they're prestigious. I like each of them for a different reason.)
-a friendly, unified student body
-strong biology program
-not super-competitive (although I know that pre-meds are usually pretty competitive...I mean that I don't want to be in a situation where the girl sitting next to me will rip up my notes when I'm not looking or something)
-professors who are highly regarded in their fields of study
-well-rounded students (who live for more than academics, while still acknowledging that academics are very important)
-Nice campus (definitely a perk, but not a necessity)
-pre-professional focus- pre-med, pre-law, pre-business, etc. (again, not a necessity)</p>
<p>THanks for the replies...thethoughtprocess (or anybody else who knows): I've heard that Princeton and Dartmouth focus a lot on their undergrads (vs. other schools who care more about their grad students, etc.). Does Duke do this, as well?</p>
<p>Don't necessarily apply to your favorite school early- get some experience with your apps first, your later apps will be noticably better than your first one. I wouldn't worry about "focus on undergrads" vs "focus on grad students".</p>
<p>
[quote]
I've heard that Princeton and Dartmouth focus a lot on their undergrads (vs. other schools who care more about their grad students, etc.). Does Duke do this, as well?
[/quote]
It's all relative. Compared to major research universities, Duke definitely has an undergraduate focus. Classes are generally very small, programs like FOCUS and Dannenberg Mentorships put undergrads in close contact with faculty and research advisors, and only intro foreign language classes are taught by grad students. By the end of my freshman year, for example, I was on good terms with the heads of the Biological Anthropology, Biology, Classical Studies, Environmental Science, Earth & Ocean Sciences, Philosophy, and Religion departments. On the other hand, Duke isn't quite LAC-like. Office hours are usually very limited (1-2 hours a week), although profs will definitely help you if you schedule another time. Some science professors have no office hours at all; you have to go to your TA for help. In my experience, the smaller departements tend to be more undergrad friendly.</p>
<p>I'd assume that Dartmouth and Princeton have more undergrad focus than Duke - neither have three professional schools like Duke does and have smaller grad student bodies overall</p>
<p>However, all three have a strong focus on undergrads and several opportunities for undergrads, its just that Dartmouth and Princeton are a bit smaller in size</p>
<p>I think all these are great fits except Columbia, which is missing many of the qualities you are looking for. My vote goes to Dartmouth, but I'm biased lol.</p>
<p>i'd rule out brown too--not pre-professional at all and not really in the category of work hard play hard, since the social life is more low-key and arts/music oriented than raging parties.</p>
<p>Hm...out of the remaining ones on your list, Princeton is best academically, then Dartmouth, Duke, and Brown are tied (though some argued ones better than the other...) But you cut Brown too, which I agree with - not any better academically and not a social fit.</p>
<p>so, Princeton, Duke, or Dartmouth - like the midatlantc, or the cold, or the humid?</p>