<p>Hi everone. Is there anyone who can tell me about the pros and cons of these two schools? Also, based on the description I'll provide below, can someone give me an idea of which school I'll fit best? Thanks!!</p>
<p>I'm a minority student who goes to a parochial private school in the east. I would like to major in international relations or history. I guess I'm pretty motivated academically, but I can get a bit lazy at times. I love fresh air, and I like to be at places that are pretty chilly, since I have sinus infections when the weather gets too warm or hot. I like to study about different countries, and I like having serious conversations. What I don't like is having endless debates that go no where. Although it has only been two years since I came to the U.S, I love this country and my school so much. I'm looking for a place where the entire student body can have fun together without forming cliques. I also hate academic competition and pretentiousness. Although I don't drink, I do like partying and dancing.
Sorry if my post is a little too long, I think I got carried away without thinking about it's length. Do Dartmouth and Yale fit my personality? I am going to visit both schools, but I just want to have a general idea of which school is better for me. </p>
<p>Please reply to this thread only if you are willing to help me out or give some real advice. Thanks!!</p>
<p>You'll be happy at either school. The best thing you can do is visit both and decide afterwards. I'd rather not rattle off general stereotypes of both schools so I'll end my post here.</p>
<p>Agree with Flagship that you could happy at either school for the general friendliness of the entire student body, the lack of cut-throat academia, chance for lively discussion and solid programs in your areas of interest. Dartmouth edges out Yale a bit on the clean air, pretty chilly requirement, but New Haven will not be hot most of the time school is in session and Dartmouth sophomores attend the summer quarter together as a class, during which time the days can get hot (but the nights are relatively cool). {Although because of visa requirements, international students are sometimes forced to forego the sophomore summer. } But the two campuses and their surrounds have a different look and feel, the undergrad populations are differnet in size. Your visits should help you make distinctions and establish preference.</p>
<p>I also had to choose between Dartmouth and Yale. I decided on Dartmouth and it was the best thing I ever did. Not to say that Yale's not nice, but for me Dartmouth is the most amazing place. Dartmouth students are brilliant but unpretentious, you can have those serious, long-winded conversations, but then shrug it off and go out and have a good time together. 60% of Dartmouth studies abroad, so there's always someone recounting their latest trip to Europe, South Africa, the Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Egypt, etc. And the History Department is amaaaaazing - it makes History one of D's most popular majors. Dartmouth relies heavily on the Greek system, though the uninitiated may have misconceptions about what this means - we're not locked into cliques and the houses aren't some kind of exclusive members-only terrain. You can't rush until you're a sophomore (most schools do it freshman fall), so that means that you accumulate friends during your freshman trip, from your residence hall, your sports team, and any other extracirricular activities, and then you get a house a year later. Because everyone has most of their friends outside of their fraternity or sorority (or coed), the houses are very open to the campus at large. Even if you think you'll never go greek (I said never as a freshman and ended up joining and living in a sorority and loving it) and don't drink (I don't either), the greek system will be the supplier of your major party fixes - we're experts. We're big on the campus-wide party thing and have a lot of traditions that everyone comes out for - Homecoming (esp. the Bonfire), Winter Carnival, and GreenKey will rock your world. It's a very social school, hanging out and making memories of crazy nights is essential to your personal development. Talk to any Dartmouth alum - they love their alma mater more than any other school's. We have a sky-high senior giving rate, alumni always come back for big weeknds, and seniors live in a state of denial, refusing to believe that they'll actually be made to leave this place. Sorry to gush and ramble, I really can't say enough about how incredible it is here. Dartmouth Row and Baker Tower, bordered by the CT river and surrounded by the New England woods, from your freshman fall you'll thank God you're lucky enough to be here. This post probably made very little sense, but just attribute it to overwhelming enthusiasm and a touch of homesickness - this is the first summer I've spent away from D since September 2003, and I only got as far as Cambridge!</p>
<p>Thankyou everyone for such informative replies. I'm so happy to hear such good things about Dartmouth! I'm visiting there on the 27th and am planning to stay at the Holiday Inn Express (all the other ones including Hanover Inn are said to be full). Once again, thankyou for your help and I hope my trip would ascertain my passion for Dartmouth. Thanks!</p>
<p>I hope you hae a great time in Hanover. The reason that most of the other hotels are full is because you are visiting during sophomore family weekend and some families are arriving on thrusday ;)</p>
<p>this is the tentative schedule...things do change so pick up an official
one at collis hall friday am.
i too will be at holiday inn express thursday aft on
perhaps will see you early in the breakfast room
(i have a full head of gray hair, think taylor hicks but 50) father of an 08
have a great visit</p>
<p>Ahha! I never knew that. I thought that the hotels were full due to a tremendous number of applicants visiting Dartmouth at the same time. Haha. Anyways, thank you for your reply and enjoy your summer!</p>
<p>Thank you Isacc for the information. What a coincidence! Although my parents are not comming, I hope I can take a peek at all the interesting events that are open to visitors. Have a safe and wonderful trip!</p>
<p>To Isacc
Planning on visiting Dartmouth also. Would it be most beneficial to visit on Sophomore Family Weekend or a different weekend during the summer to get a feel for the school. I only ask about visiting during the summer as opposed to the schoolyear because I've read about how Sophomores take summer classes as part of the D-Plan. Thanks.</p>
<p>parents weekend is this weekend....hanover will be a bit more crowded
restaurants like lous will be long lines...nice lectures for parents though</p>
<p>the rest of the summer only 1/4 of the school is on campus
yes its a regular and apparently a much harder study summer than
most students anticipated..but they have regular classes</p>
<p>if youre there on a weekend the daytime will seem quite quiet(sleeping late)
so go on a weekday </p>
<p>however if you can wait til the fall youll really see the full college
experience..just check calendar they start very late fall..
go first weeks october see a football game but not home comiing also crowded...</p>
<p>if application is for this year go this summer love it and apply ED
if application is for following year wait til fall</p>
<p>I've seen both campuses, and I would say that if you prefer an urban setting, Yale's location would be more to your liking, but if you prefer rural settings, Dartmouth is more for you.</p>
<p>I visited Dartmouth yesterday, and it was exactly how I've always expected it to be. Actually, even better. I was also stunned by Yale's campus, but I felt more attracted to Dartmouth. The community seemed more inclusive and closely knit. The only thing that I couldn't see that much was ethnic diversity. The campus seemed predominantly white. Maybe, I'm totally wrong, but can someone explain to me how it is really like? How students from different ethnical backgrounds interact?</p>