Dartmouth vs. Swarthmore

amykins
Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:28:34 +0000

I think the PhD can be a a sign that students really, really, really like school. I agree that it doesn’t mean that if don’t get a PhD, then you’re not an intellectual, but I think you can say that if you DO get a PhD, then you ARE an intellectual. However you define intellectual.

The percent of students who go on to get a PhD might also be an indicator of how the school’s academic program is. PhD admissions is not easy, and I’m sure the rigor of the undergrad academic experience is one of the deciding factors.

I can’t really offer any advice on the Dartmouth/Swarthmore conundrum-- it’s like asking somebody if they prefer M+M’s or Skittles. Anecdotally, I know more students who got into Dartmouth and didn’t get into Swarthmore, and I think that I would prefer Swat, but I don’t think that’s a good measure of a school at all.