HELP plz: dartmouth vs berkeley

<p>i am an international and i am getting much better aid at berkeley than dartmouth..... my parents say berkeley has better brand recognition, better weather and obv the better money factor.... but i am very keen on dartmouth... its just that the finaid office is a little cold... i think i wanna study economics (and minor in computer sc.) n go into top consulting or banking jobs though one part of me really wants to study law too - just that it requires additional time/money.... i think i am a person who really likes to constructively debate in and out of class with professors and fellow students and i think that berkeley might be too impersonal for me.... i tried to request my parents to somehow think of dartmouth as an investment (a real deep-in-the pocket one though) and not as expenditure, but they are like - getting jobs for internationals is next to impossible, so better go with berkeley..... but then my sixth sense says dartmouth although berkeley is definitely an amazing university.... i am very very lost.... plz help...n quick</p>

<p>anybody any thoughts....... would my academic experience and subsequent recruiting at dartmouth be significantly better....
thanks again.....</p>

<p>Hey, I think we are in somewhat similar positions. I am a California resident so I would be getting in-state tuition, so Berkeley is about 20,000 for me i think. Dartmouth on the other hand, very little aid, mostly smaller loans. Anyways, I am picking Dartmouth regardless. As much as I respect berkeley for graduate, I think that Dartmouth will probably provide more personal attention and also a better overall college experience, and in general high peer quality, not that people at Berkeley are not smart, but there are a lot of rather mediocre students there. Overall, Dartmouth undergrad is significantly stronger with the exception of engineering.</p>

<p>so could u just give me a few tangibe examples or cases, where personalized attention n more intellectual peers actually results in better education.... plz dont get me wrong.... i am not a cynic, but i just want to understand this crystal clear... i know these things sound great but since the whole liberal arts education thing is slightly alien to me, could anyone explain</p>

<p>smaller, more discussion based classes and getting to know your professors are two benefits of liberal arts education. Classes are less likely to be graded on a curve if they are smaller and more personal.</p>

<p>dirtmouth sucks</p>

<p>Hi, I am also a California resident and my college decision came down to between Dartmouth and Berkeley. I liked Berkeley's vibrant atmosphere and social scene. I also liked the fact that there are so many courses and majors to choose from, and many renowned professors teach there. Berkeley has a wealth of student groups and unique clubs -- I knew I would find something that would fit my every interest. For me, Berkeley would also mean that I would be closer to my family and high school friends. </p>

<p>However, when I went to visit Dartmouth, I realized what a difference small classes and a tight-knit community can make. I didn't make it to Dimensions, but everyone I met was so friendly and ready to convince me why Dartmouth was the place for me. Now that I go to Dartmouth, I love it. I run into people I know every day, but the campus never seems claustrophobic. Almost everyone at Berkeley is from California, but at Dartmouth people are from all over the country. I have learned so much about life in other states just from talking to my friends. </p>

<p>Most of my classes have consisted of 20-30 students, and the professors are very available after class. My intro government class this term only has 100 students, and my prof is so animated and clear I never get bored. I have had no TAs, and all my professor grade my work and give feedback themselves. </p>

<p>Hanover isn't the most amazing town, but there are several diverse cuisines served here and a fun movie theater. Dartmouth really makes a special effort to keep students entertained here -- the Hop and Loew theaters show movies almost every night and Programming Board brings comedians, trivial pursuit nights, and even some guy called The Regurgitator. Fun stuff, believe me. There are always interesting and moving lectures to attend, and politicians always make a special point to stop by on their campaign trail (I can't wait for the presidential primary!). </p>

<p>As for reputation, hardly anyone I've met on the east coast applied to Berkeley, let alone have heard of it. Dartmouth gives you the best of both worlds -- it is a member of the Ivy League and is also extremely undergrad focused. Many corporations and business firms come recruit here. Just yesterday my friend went to a mock interview hosted by JP Morgan. I think you would learn a lot at Dartmouth and be well prepared for a future in whatever field you choose.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>