<p>I'm deciding between Brown and Dartmouth. So yes, I know that either one will be a fine choice HOWEVER that doesn't mean I don't have to choose. Honestly, I "felt" better stepping on to the Brown campus -- that fabled "gut feeling" -- but objectively there are some things about Dartmouth that seem better (also, they gave me a little more financial aid.). Particularly with regard to the following areas:</p>
<p>-Studying abroad - seems easier at Dartmouth b/c of the "D-Plan" quarter system. And there seems to be more money to help you do so. How easy is it to study abroad at Brown?</p>
<p>-Class size/Student-Faculty Relationships. Dartmouth's seem smaller/closer-knit. How do the class sizes at the two schools compare? How does the strength of the connections between students and faculty compare?</p>
<p>-Strength of poli sci department</p>
<p>-"Intellectual life"/"life of the mind"/"nerdiness". Brown seems a bit more so, but maybe that's just my Dartmouth stereotype of everyone going to frats and getting drunk. Or is that true (that Brown is more intellectual in the student body)? How big is the difference? Basically, I'm looking for assurance that I as a professed nerd who would rather talk politics than go play beer pong will find plenty of people like me..</p>
<p>-any other comments/comparisons</p>
<p>I feel kind of weird doing this, but I'm really stuck so at this point I'm just turning to wherever to get advice. Thanks!</p>
<p>On the left side write down everything that is important to you in a school and your college experience.( Include things like gut feelings) </p>
<p>Then make two columns: Brown and Dartmouth</p>
<p>Then rank each school on a scale of 1 (low) to 5 (high)
Rank each school DIFFERENTLY on each line.</p>
<p>Then add them up and see which one falls out.
You can even weight the items, if you want to ensure that academics weightier to your decision than the number of entrees offered at dinnertime.</p>
<p>At this point, I'd suggest following your gut. Remember, you're not just choosing a school. You're choosing a home where you will live for the next four years. Don't neglect that aspect of your life.</p>
<p>"-"Intellectual life"/"life of the mind"/"nerdiness". Brown seems a bit more so, but maybe that's just my Dartmouth stereotype of everyone going to frats and getting drunk. Or is that true (that Brown is more intellectual in the student body)? How big is the difference? Basically, I'm looking for assurance that I as a professed nerd who would rather talk politics than go play beer pong will find plenty of people like me.."</p>
<p>The stereotype is borne out in hard data. You will be able to find nerdy-bliss at either school, but at one you won't as often have to step around the beer pong game to find 'em.</p>
<p>I live near Brown, and I can tell you that there are plenty of drunks there as well. </p>
<p>They are both great schools, and personally I wouldn't make the decision based on the stereotypes of the student body. Both attract similar students, and you will find plenty of people at either place who share your interests.</p>
<p>In my mind, the biggest difference is location. Brown is an urban school in a mid-sized city, but is easily accessible to Boston and New York. Dartmouth is much more remote, but if you are an outdoors type--it is idyllic. So are you the city mouse or the country mouse?</p>
<p>"They are both great schools, and personally I wouldn't make the decision based on the stereotypes of the student body."</p>
<p>They're not stereotypes. In their last survey, 52% of the student body had binge drank in the prior two weeks (higher for males, and for whites). </p>
<p>There are plenty - lots - of bingers at Brown as well. Just not, percentagewise, as many (though I've never actually seen data for Brown - but it lacks several of the characteristics that Wechsler at the Harvard School of Public Health associates with high binge drinking rate).</p>
<p>Mini, funny - I had deleted a post, partially because the poster really has a pre-disposition, partially in deference to your knowledge in this area and the sense that quibbling over small differences somehow might diminish the problem. Which I really do agree binging is - a problem and not something to be diminished. But, its hard to compare hard stats to no stats and so I am glad you made the qualification that there are plenty of bingers at Brown as well. I know you can statistically prove the relationship of binging to presence of certain characteristics, of which Frats is one that D has a B lacks, but its misinformation to suggest that its not a nationwide problem and that it is not actually a really issue even at Brown. Despite no formal stats, substance abuse, including binge drinking, is a self acknowledged problem at Brown</p>
<p>"but its misinformation to suggest that its not a nationwide problem and that it is not actually a really issue even at Brown. Despite no formal stats, substance abuse, including binge drinking, is a self acknowledged problem at Brown."</p>
<p>I wouldn't dare suggest such a thing. Brown does indeed have stats (as do all schools that receive federal funds in any form), but, as far as I know, they haven't published them (and aren't required to.) Dartmouth has, and they are more than a standard deviation above the national average. </p>
<p>It is no more meaningful to say that all schools have drinking than it is to say that all Ivy Leaguers have toes. The differences can (and often do) make a major difference in the experience -- for some. For others, they could care less. And for some, "play hard" is exactly what they are looking for.</p>
<p>I am not merely saying all schools have drinking - I am saying, that (despite the fact that Brown is not required to publish figures so we don't know where it falls) while Brown doesn't have Frats, Brown students, Brown polls, acknowledge significant drinking and students should not expect to land on that campus and not find that it is real fact of Brown social life.</p>
<p>It's not just lack of frats. It is also urban. It also has less of a spectator sports scene. It also has a higher percentage of non-white students (who, statistically, binge less). You put those together, and unless it is a real statistical outlyer, it is likely that Brown is close to the national campus average, not more than a statistical deviation above.</p>
<p>And, if that is so, it would be definitely noticeable. You'd find PLENTY of drinking, and binge drinking. But you wouldn't find it at the level of Dartmouth (which, in Wechsler's risk factors, goes a perfect 8 for 8.)</p>
<p>Congrats. great choice. Putting drinking and sports and city/country aside. The Watson Institute and the excellent Brown Faculty in Political Science, plus 100 majors per year (one of the largest concentrations--all those students can't be wrong) supports your gut choice. I'd go to Brown.</p>
<p>The intellectual life at Dartmouth is fine and is not crowded out by drinking - I live on a small floor, but over half my floor doesn't drink and I have never felt like there's nothing to do (this is a randomly assembled floor of freshman). Did you visit during Dimensions?</p>
<p>Hmm... can anyone speak to the ease/availability of study abroad, internships, research etc. at Brown? That was something I was really impressed with at Dartmouth (partly the amount of $ available, partly the D-Plan)... kind of the one big "sticking point" for my gut.</p>
<p>i think i helped you on the other thread...but I'd say go with your gut (Brown)</p>
<p>Undergrad research is very popular and accesible to undergrads at Brown...study abroad is not AS popular but is very easy to do, from what I know</p>