<p>I am a Houston cat, and I can handle snow and such. In fact, I love the snow. I want to major in biochem and I will either go to DUke or Dartmouth. WHy should I go out of my way to persuade my parents to go here? THere are not a lot of URMs, so will I be welcome here? Is the social scene here better than a Blue Devil's celebration party? How is the food? This is the most challenging decision I ever had to make and I am 50/50.</p>
<p>Does Dartmouth have a good....
1. biochem program
2. dorms
3. food
4. FUN FUN FUN! Will I have FUN here?</p>
<p><em>gets down on hands and knees</em> DONT GO TO DUKE!!! GO TO DARTMOUTH!!!</p>
<p>(was that persuasive enough?) </p>
<p>Ok well in all seriousness, I was considering applying to both schools but didn't end up applying to Duke in the end. Both schools are great and will take you far, it's just that for me after talking to people that went to Dartmouth and Duke, the Dartmouth ones seemed more enthusiastic on the whole about thier experience. But as far as your comment about not wanting to go because not alot of URM's are there and you wouldn't feel comfortable, etc..I would never base a decision on something like that. Besides, I mean maybe there are more than you think and they just don't post on CC, I'm a URM and I have tons of friends that applied that are URM's as well. People are people, URM or not, there will always be people who are nice, and people who are aren't regardless of race. I wouldn't worry about that. In regards to food, my interviewer even brought up how wonderful it was and how she rarely felt the need to go out and eat somewhere else because the food wasn't good or something like that. In the end, its your decision and the only way to get a better idea of what feels like "home" for you would be to visit the campuses, if that's possible.</p>
<p>lol. if this was the Harvard board, i'd praise the crap out of Duke while in my mind thinking "heh heh...if he goes to Duke, that's another spot open!"</p>
<p>but it's not. SO. does Duke have the undergraduate focus? will you get as much bang for your buck?</p>
<p>What do you want or need in a college environment. What quality of life issues that you feel need to be taken care of. If money is an issue, definitely take a close look at your financial aid and the school's FA policy. If Duke is going to meet 100% of your demonstrated need at the same rate as Dartmouth, go to the next thing of importance. If it all merit, read the fine print.</p>
<p>Is study abroad mportant to you? What are the opportunities available? Do they have exchange programs with other schools? Which ones?</p>
<p>Are there intership opportunities? when do they happen- are they reserved for upper classmen?</p>
<p>Opoortunities to do research? when does it happen?</p>
<p>If work study is in your life? What are the work study opportunities? (I know for a fact I told my daughter I would borrow every cent before she went someplace to clean tables-but that's my own personal thing)</p>
<p>What do people do on the weekend? Is everyone jumping into cars off to somewhere else?</p>
<p>Even from the CC post, do the prospies seem excited to attend in the fall, does it seem like a level aof cohesiveness is already forming, because these willbe the people that you will be spending the next 4 years with.</p>
<p>Daughter of one of my friends (total scholarship student) left Duke because she could not handle the pressure of the haves vs the have nots in terms of flaunting wealth (students driving luxury cars to campus) the bourgsy, bourgeoisie the lac of cohesiveness. She felt it is aplace where you gotta have some cash as part of the social life. </p>
<p>But I have another friend who was in the same postition who had a wonderful time at Duke, so it depends.</p>
<p>You will be visiting both places, sometimes you have to go with your gut. But also remember when people show you who they are- believe it.</p>
<p>Dartmouth has alot of people from Mass and similar. Pretty much everyone is nice, but its absolutely integrated. I am Indian, and I know all the Indians but we didnt have a hardcore clique even though many of us are friends.</p>
<p>Duke overall is much more jocky/ waspy BUT the minorities tend to have pretty strong cliques. I pretty much have friends ranging from football players to science nerdy types who never went out, so Dartmouth was perfect for me. If you want a place where everyone is cool go to Dartmouth, if you want a place where you are more part of a clique go to Duke. Its not an easy choice but choose for this reason, its what will make you happy.</p>
<p>oh ok. Also, does getting a likely from Dartmouth give me the right to talk as if I have already been accepted? I think Imight be jumping the gun.</p>
<p>I always thought for med school, Duke was better. And aren't they in some sort of special deal with UNCCH and some other college? That probably provides a lot of good resources.</p>
<p>I really can't say with much confidence what I'd do because I've never thought of med school too much, but I might possibly pick Duke over Dartmouth in this situation.</p>
<p>But both are wonderful schools and you really can't go wrong with whichever you choose! Good luck and congrats!</p>
<p>I think its absolutely silly to pick Duke over Dartmouth because Duke has a good "med school". In fact Dartmouth does amazingly well for placement, just like the LACs! Its funny how many times people on CC post things like "good school for history" when 9/10 times its much more about the overall school. When a top med school sees Duke and Dartmouth they get weighted the same.</p>
<p>Choosing Duke over Dartmouth or vice versa for this or any reason like prestige is ridiculous. Its like choosing a Porsche over a Mercedes because of "prestige". Choose for atmosphere!! You are picking between top schools, its a freedom you get.</p>