<p>Okay, I know people on this board will be a little biased, but I just got a likely letter to dart and was also accepted to rice a few weeks ago. I was pretty much bent on going to rice, but now im not so sure. my question is, what does dartmouth have that rice doesn't? the most obvious differences to me are that dart has the prestige factor, being an ivy and all, whereas rice is more renowned among texans. i suppose weather is also a big difference, but besides that, both seem to have an interesting social atmosphere and an undergrad focus, with a small student faculty ratio. i want to major in english or philosophy by the way. i know rice is more sciences oriented, but ive heard that the school just got a very large donation to their school of humanities and their really trying strenghthen this dept...so any comments on the differences between the two would be appreciated. thanks</p>
<p>Deadhead,</p>
<p>if you do a search you can probably find a number of threads on the rice v. dartmouth debate as there were a number of students that were choosing between the 2 schools.</p>
<p>Right now you may not get a lot of responses from current Dartmouth students because they are in the mist of finals and will soon be going home for spring break ,</p>
<p>I would also check for rice on the parents forum as there are currently a number of parents who have kids at Rice(momofwildchild) as well as a number of parents with kids currently at Dartmouth (myself, cangel, ohmadre, sophiehorse, isacc, sjmom, usrdad). There was a recent disussion earlier this week about the housing situation at rice following freshman year (starting with 09, housing is guaranteed for sophmores who are usually at the bottom of the food chain for housing). </p>
<p>good luck</p>
<p>my understanding is that dartmouth has very strong english and philosophy departments. Besides, a lot of money doesn't neccesarily mean a good department. It is a long process and might take years.</p>
<p>I don't know a thing about Dartmouth, but I've lived near Rice my entire life. I can honestly tell you that Houston is probably one of the most diverse cities in the U.S. The city is set up as a collection of communities, each with its own character and attitudes. The only thing about Rice is that you definitely need a car to get around outside of Rice Village. However, you can find lots of cheap places to eat and shop and cost of living is generally lower than the rest of the nation. The school has an excellent party life, even though most of it is for people above the drinking age. It's not a party school but it's full of really fun and interesting people and I'll recommend it fully to any of you.</p>
<p>While the two are very similar in size, student/faculty ratio and undergrad focus, Hanover and Houston are vastly different. Even so It would be really helpful to your decision making process if there was any way at all you could attend a weekend at each school because likely much of your life, even in a city the size of Houston, will be spent on campus. Not sure that is an option for you.</p>
<p>I don't know much about Rice, but I went to Dartmouth. Dartmouth is an amazing school with unique factors. The D-plan allows multiple "Dartmouth only" study abroads and sophomore summer (best term on campus, called camp Dartmouth), the LACishness (Tea at 4pm in Sanborn library, small intimate classes outside in the spring, etc), an awesome outdoors life (not just hiking - swimming in the Connecticut which feels like spring water, tons of green space, lots of fun in the snow with sledding on the golf course and occum pond), tons of tradition (homecoming and its fun bonfire, winter carnival and swimming in the frozen river/ snow sculpture, etc, green key and its concerts and "hiding" your drinks in orange juice containers while you stumble around campus w/ friends), some of the coolest and most friendly down to earth yet brilliant students on earth, an awesome party scene, and alumni who love the place to no end.</p>
<p>I agree with ohmadre, the location will definitely help you to decide. I live in PA, and as crazy as it may sound, I love the constant, idiosyncratic weather we have here in the Northeast. I applied ID to Rice, and while Rice has an incredible student/faculty ratio and undergrad resources, the smaller Hanover community feels more like...for the lack of a better word, me.</p>
<p>in terms of academics you probably can't go wrong with either school. if you can visit the two schools you probably will get a better feel for which school suits you better. i would also suggest reading the student newspapers at both schools (thedartmouth.com) to get an idea of the issues that are of importance at the schools. you certainly have an interesting choice.</p>
<p>Both schools are greatly respected academically. Its up to you to ask what location/system you prefer</p>
<p>I was making this decision last year - they were two of a few finalists. I ended up choosing Dartmouth because of the location (both because I love the NE and also just because I didn't want to be hat far from home) and because I wanted to study foreign language, which Dartmouth is famous for. BUT, I loved them both - both offer amazingly close communities and great academics. You can't go wrong.</p>
<p>Have you visited Rice? I'm not sure about you, but I would not want to go to school in Houston, and everyone I have talked to feels the same way. I don't want to offend anyone from Houston (I do have family there), but it's just not a great place, especially for college. And while Hanover is isolated, it has a great college feeling. Hanover is there because of Dartmouth. It's a great college town and for me it would be a no brainer. But if this is the decision you're making, you can't go wrong. Maybe visit both of them again? Talk to some more students?</p>
<p>Thanks for all the posts...I still haven't decided for sure, but I'm leaning more to Rice bc my parents REALLY want me to go there. I'd have to do some major convincing for them to allow me to even VISIT dartmouth, let alone attend. Don't get me wrong though--the only down side I see to Dartmouth is the weather. Having spent much of my life at a ranch, I love living in a rural environment, but H-town aint so bad either. Ive visited rice and the school is located in really nice part of town, close to some decent shopping, museums, and clubs/bars...so i suppose i can't go wrong either way, but you know whatever...i love dartmouth</p>
<p>I'd make sure to at least check Dartmouth out at accepted students weekend. Also, Dartmouth is a more national name, while Rice is much more known in the Southwest. If you want to stay in Texas Rice is amazing, but for the Northeast and other areeas Dartmouth has a better reputation.</p>
<p>Slipper is totally right--</p>
<p>And in terms of Dartmouth weather, are you from the Southwest? If you are, maybe the Houston weather is ok with you. I personally think the Dartmouth weather is much nicer. It's nice to have seasons. The seasons there are beautiful.. The fall is really picturesque with the leaves changing colors. It looks classically collegiate at that time of year. The winter is fun too. Yes they get a lot of snow, but don't you think they're prepared? It's not like they get 15 foot snow falls and you can't leave your dorm. It's cold, but you're not going to die walking from class to class, you'll just need some warmer clothes. The snow creates a lot of recreation too. And the spring and summer are great too (you would spend one summer there for D-plan). It gets really warm, believe it or not. And considering how outdoorsy the school is, you'll enjoy every season. Believe me, weather is no reason not to go to Dartmouth.</p>
<p>Have you asked your parents why they want you to go to Rice so badly?</p>
<p>I've lived in Houston my entire life.. and with all honesty.. If I get accepted to Dartmouth I will go there in a heartbeat.
I love everything about it.
Oh...The Houston weather isnt too fun.</p>