Dartmouth is a phenomenal school with many advantages Harvard lacks – while Dartmouth’s Greek life has gotten some negative attention, the school has been working to make Greek life open and accepting. Many consider Dartmouth the best of both possible worlds – top notch academics in a smaller academic community. Meanwhile, at Harvard, there are thousands of kids trying to find a way to stand out, and there is controversy about pseudo-Greek life such as finals clubs etc.
No one in business or academic world is going to judge a Dartmouth grad differently than a Harvard grad. And, while just one data point, many of the Harvard College alums I have known struggled to find their place in college, because there was such pressure to live up to the label. Dartmouth is a place which focuses on the student, a much more student-centered environment, albeit with top notch programs.
Time to focus on the opportunities ahead, rather than whether people will recognize the status of Dartmouth acceptance.