Dartmouth vs. Swarthmore

Crumpledpaper
Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:57:25 +0000

1sokkermom -

Thanks… I appreciate surfing the thread and the progressive posts. Though I am not too worried about taking measure of a school by trying to interpret the Ph.D rates, seeing others’ perspectives on what is important is exactly why I posted the thread in the first place.

I guess one point/issue/concern that I am trying to navigate is that of weighing the balance of what seems to be a better personality fit at one school (which appears based on our perception to have slightly less recognition/cachet) vs. the value our daughter places on “seeing” herself at an explicit IVY after all the work she put in though high school (13 college courses + AP work). She will do very well in either location there is no doubt… I just don’t want her to be left with the perception that she might not be at the right school. My wife and I are trying to guide by helping her figure out what is important to her… It seems like the list is 1) highest quality academics and teaching 2) Cachet/reputation 3) Social comfort… but I could also add campus “feel” ( we are small town folk)… Creative writing program quality… immersion based foreign language… etc…

As far as what she would like to do… this is not at all clear !