<p>I don't agree entirely with your reasoning, dcircle, but I am coming around to the idea that Dartmouth could grow its grad programs without hurting the undergraduate focus. Princeton I think is the best example of an undergrad-focused school with strong grad programs. I don't agree about Columbia, though, just based on what I've heard from friends who go there. I also agree that some of the most meaningul parts of your college education do not happen in the classroom, which is one of the reasons Dartmouth was so attractive to me. It has the highest percentage of students who study abroad out of any school in the Ivy League. (and the study abroad percentages of the other Ivies don't even come close. I mean, REALLY not close. That's not an opinion, it's a fact.) And the d-plan allows for awesome internship (including science research internship) opportunities, which I think I may have mentioned in a previous post, I don't remember.
"the best part of your undergrad education could be learning how to use your knowledge--writing a thesis, doing a major project, helping faculty indulge in research." Those can definitely contribute to the college experience, and there are great opportunites to do all of that here. (Yes, even on-campus science research with faculty in state-of-the-art laboratories. ;) General info here: <a href="http://www.dartmouth.edu/%7Edof/undergrad/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.dartmouth.edu/~dof/undergrad/index.html</a>, info specifically on chemistry research here: <a href="http://www.dartmouth.edu/%7Echem/undergrad.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.dartmouth.edu/~chem/undergrad.html</a>, <a href="http://www.dartmouth.edu/%7Echem/undergrad_research.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.dartmouth.edu/~chem/undergrad_research.html</a>, bio here: <a href="http://www.dartmouth.edu/%7Ebiology/undergrad/research/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.dartmouth.edu/~biology/undergrad/research/index.html</a>.) </p>
<p>I agree that more/larger grad programs might provide even more opportunities, and as long as Dartmouth is careful and thoughtful about doing it, think it could be a good thing. However, I also understand Dartmyth's "where's the fire?" mentality. I don't see the rush to change what's already a good thing, and don't think Dartmouth has a pressing need to grow its grad programs.
Oh, and as a huge Rand fan, I didn't really agree with your "you are investing of yourself so that you can learn how to serve" comment. :) But that's definitely a matter of opinion.</p>