<p>So, I've finally got it narrowed down to 2 schools. I like a lot of things about both of them and I am having a hard time making a final decision. I like the Catholic identity of Notre Dame as well as the way the campus feels. I have also been admitted to the Honors Program, which seems to offer many benefits. Dartmouth has the advantage of an Ivy League name (although in the Midwest it is no more prestigious than Notre Dame) and also has a slightly higher USNWR ranking, for whatever those factors are worth. I have yet to visit the campus (will be attending Dimensions), but from everything I've read, it is equal in beauty to Notre Dame's and offers the same welcoming campus feel. I have also heard that the Aquinas Club is very good (which helps counter the fact that it lacks Notre Dame's religious affiliation).</p>
<p>At Notre Dame I would also have a merit scholarship (not affiliated with the university) of <10,000 over the four years- not much when you consider the cost, but every little bit helps. Unfortunately, since I can't use this scholarship at a non-Catholic school, it would not follow me to Dartmouth. My parents would also prefer that I go to Notre Dame (they have been trying to stay out of it and not make my decision for me, but have, of course, been dropping subtle hints). These factors won't make my final decision for me, but they are, of course, a factor.</p>
<p>I'm planning on majoring in biochemistry and monoring in Chinese. I would also like to study abroad in China for a semester/quarter and would like to keep the option of medical or graduate school open (although I am not concerned with attending an Ivy league grad/med school- I will probably apply to the University of Minnesota medical school if I decide to go that route).</p>
<p>I would really appreciate any suggestions anyone has as well as any info on how the two schools' science/Chinese programs compare. Thanks for your input!</p>
<p>There seems to be pretty strong feelings on this board that given any choice between reputable colleges, it is a slam dunk in favor of colleges that are (1) in the Northeast, (2) even slightly higher ranked in prestige, fame, or academics, and/or (3) not Catholic. So you're not going to get many people who will advise against Dartmouth in this case.</p>
<p>I've been to both places, and think they are two of the most beautiful and magical campuses you will find anywhere.</p>
<p>Both seem to have intensely loyal alumni. I will risk the scorn of the others here and say that the academic differences between ND Honors and Dartmouth would not be significant enough to be a deciding factor. And I agree with you that in the Midwest, where people aren't as likely to worship US News rankings, the prestige between these two isn't nearly as great as it is in the Northeast. Also, if you plan to settle in the Midwest, the ND alumni would be far more prevalent than Dartmouth's. The most obvious differences in the two are the religious affiliation and the importance of sports. You seem to like the Catholic aspect of ND. You didn't mention sports. All I can say is if you've never seen an Ivy League football game, you haven't missed much.</p>
<p>If you want more fun...ND
If you want more success...Dartmouth</p>
<p>Im from the midwest and everyone i kno knows that Dartmouth is much more prestigious than ND. ND is the team that so many like...but Dartmouth is a school that can more easily be admired.</p>
<p>Let's fast forward 7 years...(this disregards any grad school efforts on your part...in which case fast forward 12 years!)...you are interviewing for a job...your resume lands on the desk of someone outside Indiana (OK, even within Indiana). They see some relevant experience, but its a bit on the margin...then they see where you went...</p>
<p>IMHO, the view of the general resume reader (not all, of course) is that the Dartmouth pedigree will get you a hearing over the ND one. Superficial, perhaps, but it happens every day...Ok...every OTHER day.</p>
<p>Palidad, have you ever lived in the Midwest? Also, since OP plans on going to med school, the scenario you outlined seems a bit of a stretch...more likely a higher undergrad GPA would serve better than higher snob appeal.</p>
<p>Yup, and my wife grew up in Chicago...your question is?...</p>
<p>My reading of the OP's comments is an interest toward graduate OR Med school. You seem to have narrowed it to Med school...I also broadened the topic to include those situations where the OP opts NOT to go to grad school...(things happen...) and gets a job...and THAT happens EVERY day.</p>
<p>I've lived in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco, Honolulu, Toronto, and several European countries. In a lot of ways Chicago is more like a Northeastern city than a typical Midwestern city. One of those ways is that people there would tend to be more likely to worship at the altar of USNews rankings than they would in the rest of the Midwest (the smartest guy I ever knew went to Michigan State, and made no apologies). Since the OP seems intent on going to med school in Minnesota, and I'm guessing living there also, a more apt scenario would be: if the OP hangs her various degrees on her medical office walls, will it serve her better if the name Dartmouth or Notre Dame appears?</p>
<p>My point is that in many parts of this great country, the difference between ND and Dartmouth is not what it would be perceived to be in the Northeast, coastal California, and parts of Chicagoland (there are a lot of people in Chicago who would choose ND over Harvard, MIT, Oxford, etc).</p>
<p>People know Dartmouth is better than ND. II've lived all over the country and Dartmouth is more prestigious to almost anyone with a top 25 degree. And ignoring Prestige, Dartmouth is also one of the best college experiences in the country.</p>
<p>Have to like very cold weather to enjoy Dartmouth experience not that South Bend is Miami. If interested in any Catholic experience-advantage ND. For good students, a degree from Notre Dame and Dartmouth is very comparable. Both great schools but big time college sports atmosphere at ND v Dartmouth's LAC scene.</p>
<p>I am not sure its comparable. Dartmouth's graduate placement, recruitment, and overall perception (ask any top ten school grad which is better - 95% will say Dartmouth) is far above Notre Dame. Notre Dame is a great school, but its more along the lines of Emory, Dartmouth is a couple levels ahead.</p>
<p>Please read more carefully. Nobody's saying that in general ND is better or has higher prestige than Dartmouth.</p>
<p>My points were (1) that the op could go through the HONORS program at ND and get just as good an educaton as at Dartmouth, and (2) that the prestige difference between Dart. and ND is NOT AS different in many parts of the country as it is in the Northeast.</p>
<p>I would agree that in the Northeast it's a no-brainer for Dartmouth. College prestige IN GENERAL isn't AS big a deal in the Midwest (excepting certain parts of Chicago) as it is in the Northeast. I went to high school in Michigan and Massachusetts, and the differences were stark. In Mass. it seemed like second nature that everybody begged, borrowed, or stole to go in the best college possible. In Michigan, the valedictorian at my school was happy to attend Central Michigan. Not only wasn't she worried about not going Ivy, she wasn't even worried about not going Big 10. I live in the Detroit area, and every summer the newspapers list the top few graduates from each high school and where they are going to college. There are always a few who go to Princeton, MIT, Northwestern, etc. And there are a lot who go to Michigan-Ann Arbor. But there are a significant number who don't even want to go to Ann Arbor, and end up going to Wayne State, Western Michigan, Michigan State, Generic Bible College, etc. Please try to grasp the concept that there is a middle ground between people who will do anything to go to Ivy/Stan/Chicago/Duke/MIT and the ones who are tickled pink to cheer on the Eastern Michigan University Eagles. There are a lot of people who just don't allow prestige to be the main factor in their decisions, even huge differences in prestige, much less minor ones. And in this case, where the OP wants to go to med school in the Midwest, what's wrong with going to a fine college where she will get a fine education, and will probably get a higher GPA than at Dartmouth?</p>
<p>They are both highly ranked schools. They are both very prestigious. I don't think that it makes a bit of difference for med school admissions and future success. Focus and attention to details such as pulling top grades, preparing meticulously for the MCAT, and acquiring good references will determine that. Both schools are great for premed. I would go to Notre Dame and keep the scholarship.</p>
<p>Its true - for an eventual pre-med it probably won't make that much of a difference. Things like reputation matter more in other areas. If there is a financial difference and you like ND more for some reason it wouldn't be a bad idea to choose it at all.</p>
<p>Before you decide to go to Darmouth and major in science, be forwarned that they are the most difficult classes on campus and your gpa may suffer, but Dartmouth is a wonderful school.</p>