DarkHorse90

I'm deciding between Notre Dame and Dartmouth. Will probably be a liberal arts major in undergraduate, and go for an MBA or law degree for graduate school. Both schools have similar weather, and similar small surrounding town. So, I'm more focused on the differences within the campus. Thanks for your help.

ursdad

two great schools. as long as you apply yourself you will receive an excellent education at either school. obvious differences would include more diversity at dartmouth, and more school spirit at notre dame for athletic events. dartmouth is run on a 3 ten week term system and notre dame is run on the traditional 2 semester system. there are probably better study abroad opportunities at dartmouth and that is partially because of their use of the term system. in some ways the schools are similar. both schools produce extremely loyal graduates. i would say you are in a no lose situation as you can't go wrong with either school. i would recommend visiting for the accepted students event at each school. that might give you an inkling of where you are more likely to fit in.

DarkHorse90

ursdad, thank you for your response. I noted somewhere that you mentioned you were a father of a dartmouth student. What did she like most about Dartmouth? Is there anything in Dartmouth that she did not like? Are the frats "cliquish"?

Wwoody123

I am a HS Senior admitted at Dartmouth and also was curious if the frats were cliquish. I asked a current student who emailed me back this response:

"going in, i didn't think i was going to like the frats. i do now, and i will likely join one. they are super laid back, even the stereotypically pretentious houses like SAE."

ursdad

my daughter is not a member of a sorority and she is not heavily involved in the frat scene. she said she does use the frats to party when she is in the mood to do so and she is comfortable doing that. she also said there are many other ways to spend your time at dartmouth instead of partying at the frats. you can attend athletic events, attend any of the multitude of cultural events held throughout the campus (she recently attended concerts by sonny rollins abd mccoy tyner). she also likes to get together with small groups of friend to hang out and or watch movies. she also said it requires quite a bit of your time if you want to receive good grades. i think the things she liked most about dartmouth was the tradition, being surrounded by like minded students and being taught by a talented and engaged faculty. she also felt the size of the school and its' undergraduate focus were ideal. as far as dislikes it probably would be the winter weather.

rjkofnovi

Darmouth over ND. South Bend is a dump.

phase2

Dartmouth - unless you are looking to be an acctg or engineering major. I went to Notre Dame. My son is at Dartmouth and loves it. But if you are the type who likes to light candles at the grotto and cheer for football - ND would be the school for you. I found that atmosphere hard to take. Both are excellent schools - that will take you far in life. South Bend is a dump - no question about it. The campus is beautiful - but it Dartmouth still has it beat. Visit both and chose the one that is the right fit for you. You can't go wrong - you have two great choices.