Hi, I know the topic itself has been far overdone, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to provide a more specific outlook and see the responses. Obviously, both are amazing schools and I would be ridiculously lucky to receive an acceptance letter from either, but I’m trying to figure out which one is the better fit for me. I am a prospective psychology major and I love the feel of both in that they’re academically strong schools, but not competitive. I don’t thrive in a cutthroat environment because I’m far too anxious.
Initially, I was set on Brown. I’d done a pre-college program there once and the kids I knew there were really kind and interesting people. I am very passionate about learning and I love that the open curriculum provides the opportunity to explore and take whatever I want, with the option to do pass fail on top of that. Providence is a great location and from what I’ve seen of the school, there’s a multitude of things to do at anytime. I had a cousin there and she absolutely adored it. The kids are diverse and really passionate people. The CLPS program is strong and the other courses available for me to take are extremely unique and interesting. I thought I was set, and I finished the supplements.
Then, last weekend, I visited Dartmouth. At first, I was convinced I was going to hate it. My hometown is very small as well but is a suburb. Similarly to Dartmouth, there’s a very live and die there mentally. I wasn’t entirely enamored at first, but then the girl I was staying with (a family friend I’d met once or twice) offered for me to come out with her friends and visit the frats. I agreed, but I should preface this by saying I NEVER drink (so much so that I’m part of a coalition against substance abuse) I figured it was a novelty I should experience at least once in my life. I went, and instead of hating it, I LOVED it. The kids were really awesome and kind. I didn’t drink and nobody cared. I spent like 3 hours talking to this one guy who was so nice and everyone I met that was in a frat or sorority was so kind! It was just really welcoming and such a community feel. I love the events they host, like the winter carnival, and the school spirit even the alumni have. The kids are amazing there, the teaching is very personal with so many opportunities to get to know your professors and to excel and the campus is stunning.
Now the only problem is I’m a little stumped as to what to do. I feel like Brown has the stronger Psych program, but as an undergrad I think the experience the school provides is equally important to the education. I’m trying to get in touch with somebody who is a Psych major at Dartmouth, as well as see if I can spend a weekend with someone I know at Brown (fortunately enough I live close enough that these are weekend trips) I’m getting the feeling that Dartmouth has that closer community feeling and I’m incredibly swayed by the kindness and inclusiveness I found at Dartmouth. I just feel torn and I don’t want to accidentally box myself in at a more rural school (although I do love how green and beautiful the area is since I’m a self-described vegetarian tree hugger) I almost feel like Brown is the safer- socially, certainly not admission-wise- option for me since the city is right there and it’s larger undergrad wise. Any thoughts as far as the psychology and social facets of both schools? Any and all advice is extremely appreciated!