<p>I've narrowed my choices for university next year to Penn State (for an accelerated medical program) and Dartmouth (where my education is basically paid for).
Basically, at the current time I'm pretty sure I want to go to PSU for the medical program...the more I think about it the more I become convinced that PSU is the right choice for me.
THis is my dilemma: do you think I should visit Dartmouth anyway? I'm thinking about going to dimensions, but if I go, Dartmouth will have to foot the bill (which I think they will do...). The thing is, if I send in my deposit to PSU, I will feel like I made a decision blindly, and didn't keep an open mind. However, I'm highly convinced that I want to go to PSU.
So, would should I still visit dartmouth? Should I give dartmouth a chance, or am I just wasting their money? (I feel guilty spending their money to visit, if I have little intention of going there anyway). </p>
<p>Opinions needed, please help! (btw, I've visited PSU already. I've just never been to dmouth).</p>
<p>Visit Dartmouth whether or not they foot the bill. Don't make such a major decision without getting all of the facts. Presumably, you have until May 1 to make your decision, so visit before then and don't send in your deposit until you have to. No need to rush your decision.</p>
<p>I'd absolutely visit Dartmouth. You might fall in love with it and change your mind, Dartmouth is one of the most amazing college experiences in the country. </p>
<p>BTW- I would choose Dartmouth given these two choices. If you were good enough to get into PSU accelerated, chances are you'll get into a better med school out of Dartmouth and you'll likely to enjoy your first few years much more at Dartmouth. I am an alum and it seems like almost all of my friends who went to med school are at the top 20 or so, most at the top 10. I know they say it doesn't matter, a doctor is a doctor, but it does matter to some extent. Go to Dartmouth and then Duke med and people in your hospital will know that and give you an extra benefit of the doubt when it comes to referrals, etc. 60% of your business doesn't come from patients directly. Also, if you want to be chief of staff, head of your dept, etc going to a top school will help a lot. Dartmouth for "basically free" is the opportunity of a lifetime. And you are likely to get into a better med school than Penn State in the end anyway.</p>
<p>if you don't visit you will never know if dartmouth was a better fit for you. It's one thing to take a trip if you've already accepted PSU, that would be wrong. But many kids start out leaning strongly one way and then change their mind. Maybe that's not you, but maybe it will be. So I see no moral qualms involved in taking a trip since right now you could still decide to enroll at either school.</p>
<p>you should definitely visit dartmouth before making your decision. both are great schools tho...but for example, i thought i liked boston college, but then i went to both boston college and bu, and i definitely felt like bu was a better fit.</p>