<p>So I'm currently behind (very behind) and in the process of assembling the list of colleges I will apply to. In addition to doing my own research, I was hoping to get trustworthy opinions from you guys.</p>
<p>I'm probably applying in either the biology or economy fields, but please give me an opinion based strictly on your thoughts in regards to say... atmosphere, weather, the people, or just overall appeal. (I tried getting the scoop from the students who go there, but they no matter what school it is, they always like it... that's not very helpful when I'm trying to narrow down my list haha.)</p>
<p>Here it is:</p>
<p>1) UPenn
2) Dartmouth
3) Brown
4) WashU in St.Louis
5) Duke
6) JHU
7) Cornell
8) Northwestern</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Ok maybe that list was too long haha.</p>
<p>what if I shorten it?</p>
<p>1)Dartmouth
2)Brown
3)UPenn
4)JHU
5)Duke</p>
<p>Dartmouth and Johns Hopkins are complete opposites. Brown and Duke aren’t very similar either. </p>
<p>Dartmouth, Duke and Penn share a lot in common though. If those types of schools appeal to you, you may want to check out Northwestern and Cornell. </p>
<p>If Brown and Johns Hopkins appeal to you, check out Rice and Columbia.</p>
<p>At any rate all of the schools above reaches or matches, even if you have a 4.0 GPA and a 2300+ on the SAT. </p>
<p>You need some safeties.</p>
<p>I thought Brown and Duke were his safeties.</p>
<p>Cute, newhope. Brown and Duke are nobody’s safeties. Well, maybe if your parents are pledging a few million to build new dorms, they are.</p>
<p>Weather and “appeal” are in the eye of the beholder.</p>
<p>Random thoughts: JHU is reputed to have a very cut throat pre-med scene. Dartmouth alums seem to be particularly devoted. Duke has more in the way of big time sports than the others on your list. (Of course, the large number of faculty who signed a statement condemning the innocent lax players have yet to apologize, AFAIK.) Penn’s location is viewed as iffy by some: the campus is fine, but if you stray too far off the reservation it’s dicey. Same thing for JHU. Dartmouth is in the most remote location, a beautiful area and campus that is a plus for some a a minus for those who prefer a more urban scene. Dartmouth has the D-plan, which similarly is either a plus or a minus, depending on your tastes. Dartmouth is the most undergraduate focused of the bunch. Brown is the least pre-professional and does not have distribution requirements, although advisors reportedly urge students to take a range of classes.</p>
<p>THey are all good schools and all very selective. You need some safeties and matches.</p>
<p>Penn and Dartmouth are opposites in so many ways. One is a large urban research university, the other a small, rural liberal arts college. Ask yourself questions like:</p>
<p>-rural, urban, suburban?
-LAC-ish or Universty-ish?
-core curriculum, distribution requirements, no requirements whatsoever?</p>
<p>Penn and Dartmouth are opposites in so many ways. One is a large urban research university, the other a small, rural liberal arts college. Ask yourself questions like:</p>
<p>-rural, urban, suburban?
-LAC-ish or Universty-ish?
-core curriculum, distribution requirements, no requirements whatsoever?</p>