<p>Sorry for the stupid title.. I couldn't think of what else to title it. So I want to apply to either Duke or Dartmouth ED. I'm wondering I know that duke is a university and dartmouth is a liberal arts college. Where could going to a liberal arts college hurt me? There rankings are so close but dartmouth is an ivy leauge. So I guess i'm asking is a liberal arts school "lesser" then a university? And if so would dartmouth being ivy leauge fill the gap? I'd like to go to law school so that's what i'm gearing twords!
Thanks!</p>
<p>That post came off like I looked down on Liberal Arts Schools and I really don’t AT ALL. Everyone where I live always talks like they are lesser and I’m just wondering If so, how?</p>
<p>I’m really tired… Please exuse my absolutely auwful grammar.</p>
<p>I suggest that you stop trying to think about which is more prestigious, or how either one “looks” and try to dig into which environment would be a better fit for you. They are both fabulous schools and either will be a great preparation to go to any law school. I have a son at Duke and one about to start at Dartmouth and each of them chose the school due to the FIT for them. Dartmouth (IMHO) is smaller and offers a more intimate learning environment with a stronger focus on undergraduate teaching, while Duke is a bit bigger and with broader opportunities for research, tied to their more expansive graduate offerings. The greek/social scene is pretty similar at both schools, although I believe Dartmouth’s greek environment is a bit more open and accepting of everyone. If you can, visit both and decide which feels like a better fit for you.</p>
<p>Thanks, Yeah both schools I feel like I would fit in well at. You must be such a proud dad! Both of your son’s in top schools!</p>
<p>I agree with Dukedad. Sorry DD, I already have Dartmouthdad!</p>
<p>“happyman2” isn’t giving Dartmouth much credit; Duke may have more name recognition among the international community because it is a “large research university”, but I believe Dartmouth has more academic name recognition in the United States. It is an ivy league school and is much older (albeit smaller). Duke is equally respected but some of it’s recognition come from it’s basketball program which is both a positive and negative. </p>
<p>That said, prestige doesn’t really matter when you are talking about this caliber of schools. Since you are applying ED, choose the school you would feel more comfortable attending. </p>
<p>I chose Dartmouth over Duke, by the way.</p>
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<p>It would only hurt you in the case where you don’t integrate well into a smaller, more tight-knight and intimate community. People often paint out the LAC experience to be fantastic and “cozy”, but for a lot of people, their personalities were just not made for the small school experience. Regardless, while Dartmouth does have the LAC feel, it still has a lot of graduate programs and quite a bit of research going on, so it really is more like a small university. This fact will afford undergraduates lots of opportunities to research in fields of interest, which is something you may want to consider. </p>
<p>If your interest is in the law, both schools have perfectly fine humanities and social sciences faculty. Of course, you don’t have to major in those fields to go to law school, but many students do as it is a genuine interest of theirs. Basically, applying to either school would, on an academic basis, be fine for you. Dartmouth has smaller classes on average, so perhaps you would be on better terms with more professors there, but as you reach higher level courses in your major, most classes will be quite small. </p>
<p>Honestly, it comes down to fit. If you’re applying ED, you’re willing to commit to the school, so make sure you’re fine with the big Greek scene at Dartmouth or the big Basketball following at Duke. The seclusion in New Hampshire or the small city in North Carolina. These factors are most important when deciding between the two schools.</p>
<p>First of all, Dartmouth is a research university and not a LAC. Second of all, Duke actually has smaller class sizes and a smaller student to faculty ratio so if anything, Duke offers the more “intimate” classroom experience. Dartmouth will offer the more “intimate” social experience since its a bit smaller so alumni may feel more connected.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.dartmouth.edu/~oir/pdfs/cds2011_2012_final_estimated.pdf[/url]”>This Page Has Moved;
<a href=“http://ir.provost.duke.edu/facts/cds/Duke%20CDS_2011-2012.pdf[/url]”>http://ir.provost.duke.edu/facts/cds/Duke%20CDS_2011-2012.pdf</a></p>
<p>Student to Faculty Ratio
Dartmouth: 7.52/1
Duke: 7/1</p>
<p>
Nope, its the other way around.</p>
<p>Number of Classes Less Than 20
Dartmouth: 64.72%
Duke: 71.56%</p>
<p>Number of Classes Greater Than 50
Dartmouth: 8.36%
Duke: 6.04%</p>
<p>
Duke has a big Greek scene as well and has tons of trails to go running and biking in. It is also like a 2 hour drive away from beaches and mountains to go hiking or simply relax for the weekend. “Beach Week” is a popular student tradition after Exam Week.</p>
<p>To be honest, the only reason Dartmouth is considered to be on par with Duke is because its an Ivy League school. The advantages it offers-small classes, great advising, a strong alumni network, and incredible business recruitment-are shared by Duke as well but the latter has much stronger graduate programs and international prestige.</p>
<p>I have to admit-the D-Plan is pretty cool!</p>
<p>Good point, goldenboy. Both the schools are actually quite culturally and academically similar. Though Duke does have the better grad school programs, Dartmouth will forever have the Ivy League label attached to it, attracting many students away from Duke who would otherwise find the school to be a perfect fit. Oh well…</p>