Harvard vs. Dartmouth

College Search & Selection
1

<p>My son is generally a good student at school. I am encouraging him to get into Harvard because i think he will have the most opportunities there (and i admit, partly because i want to tell my friends that my son goes to harvard) but he wants to go to dartmouth instead, which i know is good but not as prestigious and wont open as many doors, especially to high-paying finance jobs, as harvard. </p>

<p>he visited both and says he "loves" dartmouth and doesnt like harvard, and that he has no interest in finance. However, he is only 17 so i dont think he knows what he wants and I think he is making a poor choice; other than threaten not to pay tuition what else can i do?</p>

2

<p>Why would you make him go to a school that he doesn’t like? Dartmouth is an excellent school and I’m sure he would get a good education. Besides which, both schools are reaches for even the most talented students. There is no guarantee he will get into either school.</p>

3

<p>Nothing. Let him live his life, and choose the college of his choice should he be fortunate enough to be admitted to either Dartmouth or Harvard.</p>

<p>“Generally a good student” will not be enough to gain admittance to either school. He will have to have top-notch scores, recommendations, ECs, and top class rank. </p>

<p>Dartmouth has plenty of successful alumni in finance, and there are plenty of Harvard grads who do not land jobs at top I-banking and consulting firms, even after dutifully concentrating in economics. He will have to make his own choices.</p>

<p>If you support him in HIS passions, instead of yours, he will most likely be successful. If you demand obedience to your whims, he may likely lose interest, fail, or drop out. Please step back and reconsider your strategy for his sake.</p>

<p>cross-posted with ^^.</p>

4

<p>I believe Dartmouth has the highest starting salary of any ivy league, and I know it places many, many students in top finance jobs.</p>

5

<p>lol… he’s a ■■■■■. don’t get too worked up</p>

6

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<p>This is based on the Payscale study that excludes alumni with advanced degrees. So take it with a grain of salt…</p>

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<p>Apparently…</p>

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<p>Two Words - </p>

<p>Helicopter Parent</p>

8

<p>I’d choose Dartmouth over Harvard as well to be honest.</p>

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<p>Obviously a parent who’s trying to score A+ in parenting but instead will probably lucky to make it out with a B-.</p>

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<p>Actually, I disagree with all of the posts above and I agree with the OP… </p>

<p>But the only thing I can come up with too is to threaten not to pay tuition lol</p>

11

<p>What fauve said. Also, your son is almost an adult; I think he would know what he wants now.</p>

12

<p>I’m in the same situation as the OP’s son. At least, I am if I get into both schools.</p>

13

<p>I think both are great schools. I have a daughter in each. </p>

<p>But I must say that I suspect Harvardfan is really a Dartmouth fan who has constructed a question designed to elicit praise for Dartmouth at the expense of Harvard.</p>

14

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<p>Name one CC parent who doesn’t (at least partially) fit this description…</p>

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<p><<name one=“” cc=“” parent=“” who=“” doesn’t=“” (at=“” least=“” partially)=“” fit=“” this=“” description…=“”>></name></p>

<p>That parent with two arms, two legs, two eyes, two ears, ten fingers, ten toes, one nose, and has hair. Forgot his CC handle, though.</p>

16

<p>Just call the Dartmouth Office pretending to be your son and rescind the application. They won’t be able to tell the difference between your son and yourself.</p>

17

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<p>Oh, I’m sorry. Is your mom and/or dad a CC regular??</p>

18

<p>Dartmouth is bad for finance? Are you aware that the past two secretaries of the treasury (Hank Paulson and Tim Geithner) are both Dartmouth alums? My mom works for Goldman Sachs and she has told me Dartmouth is one of their MAIN feeder schools. Dartmouth is not bad for finance. Dartmouth is excellent for finance. One of the best in the country.</p>

19

<p>I have a sister at Harvard and I’m going to Dartmouth next year. I absolutely HATED Harvard…just hated the feel of it, everything about it. Maybe your son is like me. So just let him be…</p>

20

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<p>That’s horrible!!</p>