<p>I am a Presidential Scholar at USC, but I live in CA and I really want to go to the east coast. But the fact that Dartmouth isn't in or near a city is holding me back from there. I am pre-med, but an anthropology major, and I am really looking for a balance between getting the "college experience" and preparing myself for medical school. Can someone tell me some pros and cons of each school? I really need help deciding...</p>
<p>I accidentally posted this in the wrong forum, so I'm just re-posting it here.</p>
<p>I think Dartmouth is probably the best school in the country for what you are looking to do academically, its honestly incredible. For Anthropology there is an FSP to New Zealand to start, which is a unique way for about 20 Dartmouth anthro students to do research together Internationally. But what really separates Dartmouth is the Clare Garber Goodman Fund that pays for individual International anthropology research. After taking a reading course (1-1 with a professor) to set up the application, Dartmouth fully pays for your independent research anywhere in the world. I got $10,000 to do an ethnography on a remote island the Pacific (might be the best time of my life). Someone my year did medical anthro work studying health delivery in Africa, a friend did archaeology work deep in Peru (Indiana Jones style). Its absolutely incredible, Dartmouth 100% foots the bill for everything and the research occurs during one off-term. After this you return for your thesis (if you decide to do one) which is also 1-1 attention for the year. So between the FSP, the Goodman Fund, the reading course, the 1-1 thesis, and a culminating seminar that is 3-5 students, its hard to imagine a more tailored, welcoming department for an undergrad. Its extraordinary.</p>
<p>Similarly for medical school Dartmouth’s advising is amazing, the Nathan Smith society advising is for med-school applicants and my friends who were pre-meds got a lot out of the program. Additionally, Dartmouth just built a $35M program for Health Delivery Science (Dartmouth donated the most of any undergrad to Haiti relief and our president helped found Partners in Health.) Built for undergrads and med students, its a very unique program that mixes anthro and medicine!</p>
<p>[Valley</a> News ~ Full Story](<a href=“http://www.vnews.com/05172010/6600171.htm]Valley”>http://www.vnews.com/05172010/6600171.htm)</p>
<p>In addition you won’t get bored at Dartmouth. The social life is very active, you’ll make great friends and there is always something happening on campus. Between Internships, grants (if you do Goodman), Foreign Study Programs, and language study abroads, if you’re ever getting stir crazy Dartmouth will give you a passport to somewhere around the world.</p>
<p>Given your specific interests, at least academically Dartmouth will give you an incredible opportunity unlike that available anywhere.</p>