<p>Cornell is a bad idea compared to other choices. It has 14,000 undergrads (40% of whom are in NY state contract schools), much larger class sizes than OP’s other choices and its med school is hours away in NYC. Dartmouth trumps Cornell in every respect. It campus and town are quintessentially New England in character. Dartmouth is clear a pick over Cornell </p>
<p>For a Texas OP, Rice holds advantages over Duke, especially in the area of hospital opportunities adjacent to campus. Before there was a Coach K, Rice was considered the best university in the South. Rice has more of a undergrad focus than Duke and residential colleges. Unless OP is in love with Durham, NC or the idea of school spirit, he should pick Rice.</p>
<p>Thus, Dartmouth or Rice.</p>