danroz27

I'm choosing between Dartmouth and Williams and need some advice. Though I am not yet 100% sure, I am interested in studying a combination of Econ, Neuroscience, and math. I like that Dartmouth is bigger than Williams and (I think) has better sciences. My biggest concerns with Dartmouth are a) the frat/drinking culture and b) it doesn't seem very intellectual. I'm afraid that Williams may be too small but it does have a reputation of being an intellectual school, although it is also known for its jocks (I am not a jock).

Can anyone help please?

tinkiewinkie

I am going to Dartmouth next year, and I am not at all into drinking. From what I've heard and seen during my visits, its not a huge thing if you don't want it to be. There are always other things to do. I am very artsy (as opposed to being a jock), and am planning to go to alot of performances at the hop. New Age music has a huge culture on campus, as does theater. On the academic side, if you want econ and math, Dartmouth is the place to go. The alumni networking for jobs on Wall Street as well as in science related companies are ridiculous. When applying for jobs in the sciences and business, the name "Dartmouth" will cause a reaction. Also, go to Dartmouth if you want to learn a language as well. I want to study French, and go abroad, so Dartmouth was a natural choice for me because I also want to major in a science. The D-plan makes this possible; at no other school would you be able to do a double major in the sciences as well as study abroad.
Good luck! Make the right choice...

tinkiewinkie

Oh yea, forgot to mention the intellectual thing. I would DEFINATELY consider myself an intellectual. At all colleges, there will be a range of intellectual-ness, and Dartmouth is no exception (neither is Williams). I know some people who went to Williams who were total idiots and only interested in making alot of money when they grew up. I have also met some very sensitive intellectuals at Dartmouth. Both schools are outdoorsy, but for those of us who aren't outdoorsy (like me) there are definitely other things to do.
And may I add yet again that, at the end of the day, you want what you want and Dartmouth will get you there much faster than Williams.

wolrab

My son is deciding between Dartmouth and Brown. He is very intellectual and nerdy, not at all athletic (though he does do wilderness backpacking, so the outdoorsy stuff has appeal), plays the viola, and has no interest in frats or alcohol (having seen enough of that, thank you very much, at the Big Ten school we live near). He spent two days at Dartmouth last week, spent time with current students who went to our high school, and met a lot of other people. None of them were into the frat/alcohol scene. All were very smart and intellectually engaged, as well as involved in truly impressive social action projects. I don't know how he's going to make a final decision, but I will be thrilled with either one.

I should say that he's let go of the smaller schools he got into -- e.g., Williams, Carleton -- because of the greater range and number of opportunities at the somewhat larger schools (though the friendliness of the Carleton students still pulls on him -- I suspect it's the familiarity of the midwest).

Sesquipedalian

I actually heard that the career services really lacked at Darthmouth, am I correct in believing this?

slipper1234

how many students found job in big banks after graduated in dartmouth?

That actually could not be more the opposite. Dartmouth probably has one of the top 5 career services offices in the country (in terms of getting elite firms to recruit). Its legacy in business is a huge strength.

IvyIsGreen

Have you investigated Dartmouth's Neukom Institute? That might provide a tilt to Dartmouth if you haven't fallen over yet.