<p>Slipper,</p>
<p>You have misread me and my facetiousness. You, in fact, make my point. I believe all that you say about critical thinking and the like. They are right-on in terms of what the so-called “elite” firms are looking for in its candidates. And Dartmouth has a very strong record with them. </p>
<p>It is also the case, in answer to the OP’s question, “I’ve always heard Dartmouth had one of the top economic programs in the country, just behind those of Yale and Chicago. Is this an illusion??” that it is safe to say that Dartmouth’s economics department is not in the same league as MIT, Harvard, Chicago, Yale, etc. </p>
<p>We are making two different points. It is possible to hold them both in the mind at the same time.</p>
<p>Finally, do not ever underestimate the role tradition plays, including in recruiting patterns, and the importance of the “social” aspect of the Dartmouth experience in the production of business elites. Dartmouth’s history as a “work hard, party hard”, traditionally male-oriented school is important in undertanding its success in the production of business elites.</p>
<p>Your point on the role of critical thinking is an important one, just don’t oversell it.</p>