<p>Which school is more badass? I mean, which one has a better academic program? Especially in the sciences, such as Biology? Which one has a better overall environment for undergraduate students? Which one will give a better standing for graduate/med/professional schools? Which one is nicer?! I know they're both great, but I need some more opinions! Thanks!</p>
<p>I have visited both, and I like Dartmouth, but I LOVE Tufts. I don't think I could say that one has better academics than the other. They are both highly respected academic institutions. That being said, Princeton Review gives Tufts an academic rating of 93, which is higher than a lot of peer schools - like Brown (89), Cornell (92), Penn (92), and Johns Hopkins (88). Dartmouth's academic rating is a 96. Is there really a difference between them? Not really. Maybe not at all.</p>
<p>Tufts is known for international relations, sciences (mainly bio), premed, and predental/vet. Both Dartmouth and Tufts will give you an advantage when applying to graduate/med/professional schools. Tufts allows its undergrads to apply early to its professional schools (med, vet, and dental).</p>
<p>I sincerely believe that Tufts will provide me with the best undergrad environment/experience possible. It's in a safe suburban area, but super close to Boston. So, I will have the best of both worlds. One of the few cons I had listed concering Dartmouth was the fact that it is so isolated. </p>
<p>Tufts also has numerous student clubs and sports, tons of speakers come to campus, and there are art shows, drama productions, etc. And Tufts is a larger university, so there will be more resources for students. At the same time, Tufts' undergrad schools are on a different campus than its vet, dental, med, and biomed schools. Therefore, undergraduates get to experience the intimacy of a liberal arts college, but take advantage of the resources of a prestigious research university.</p>
<p>Also, Tufts has what is probably the best school of international law and diplomacy in the nation, and undergrads can take classes there.</p>
<p>I hope I helped.</p>
<p>It seems to me that one of the most significant differences between the two schools is the location. Tufts being in a suburban location, very close to a city, and Dartmouth being out in the middle of nowhere in a lovely rural setting. The lack of graduate school resources at Dartmouth might be another concern. But with all things being equal, I believe Dartmouth totally trumps Tufts in terms of reputation and prestige.</p>
<p>The facts are that Dartmouth does a lot better in placing its students (WSJ) and with recruiters (vault).</p>
<p>dartmouth is more prestigious, but tufts nips at the heels of many more prestigious universities. tufts is already a good school and appears to be on the rise--they keep getting enormous 9 figure donations and their medical center is in the process of being revamped. aside from the prestige issue, it wouldn't be a big step down in quality.</p>
<p>dartmouth and tufts were my two top choices. i debated between them for AGES. they both had a very similar feel to me. in the end i choose tufts. i liked it a little better because of its location and its student body. i can definitly understand why it is such a hard choice. either way you will be happy. good luck.</p>
<p>Dartmouth was, long ago, my first choice. But I think you'd fit in at Tufts just for asking which is more badass. That's awesome.</p>
<p>I think Dartmouth will likely have more name cred, and of course Ivy status is important to many people. What I now realize, however, is that I wouldn't have been as happy at Dartmouth - I thought that the campus was beautiful and the student body was positive and passionate, and the D-plan was marvelous, but in the end I think that the isolated rural atmosphere plus tons of snow would leave people with little to do for entertainment other than drink. And drinking can be fun, but it shouldn't be the only option. At Tufts I feel like there's always lots to do besides drink, and that includes going into Cambridge, Boston, and other area schools to find entertainment and opportunities.</p>
<p>So for academics, they're both superb, and it's hard to say which one will guarantee a better grad school placement (I think it depends on the program).</p>
<p>Good luck with your choice!</p>
<p>Dartmouth has the better name.</p>
<p>That's pretty much its one advantage.</p>