Having been admitted off of Dartmouth’s waitlist, I am looking for any input (on any aspect of college life) on which school I should attend. I plan on pursuing a degree in either econ or finance/accounting depending on the school, and would apply to Kenan Undergrad at UNC.
If your goal is Wall Street, D’mouth is a more significant feeder. UNC is great, though, and I’m a fan. As far as “college life,” well, Dartmouth’s small size is the biggest difference, as well as its very rural New England location.
Is cost an issue? If not, and you’re focused more on opportunities, Dartmouth is significantly better at placing in to Wall Street.
If it’s affordable, Dartmouth.
I would pick Dartmouth as well and I would NOT describe that area as “very rural” either.
Unquestionalbly Dartmouth, unless you have a very strong reason to want to go to UNC. Dartmouth is one of a small handful of universities and LACs that are feeders to elite finance and strategic consulting.
It is a no brainer, isn’t it?
Whichever you feel more comfortable since both are good. However Dartmouth will give better “connection”…if that’s what you are looking for.
What’s the source of your hesitation? You were on the waitlist for a reason. Now you’re off. Is Dartmouth lacking in some area that is causing you second thoughts?
UNCCH is a feeder for investment banks in Charlotte, and it has a lot of alumni on Wall Street, although obviously not as much as Dartmouth. Both schools can get you to where you want to be. Just choose the school you would be happier at.
Firstly, I would be able to enroll in Kenan-Flagler at UNC, which would offer me significantly more coursework relevant to my interests in finance. Additionally, I would probably seek to transfer to an elite feeder school, as I had a disciplinary blemish in high school that likely hurt my candidacy this year. This, coupled with my concern for the quality of student life at Dartmouth (weather, school size, recent rule adjustments surrounding frats) has lead me to seek more opinions on the matter.
@pelican15 you mention wanting to transfer into an elite feeder school? Well Dartmouth IS an elite feeder school so you might not have to transfer if you go there. I can’t really comment on the quality of student life but if you really are considering an elite feeder school, do give Dartmouth some serious consideration. That’s of course if it is affordable.
It sounds like you have considered the issues that are important to you and UNC comes out on top. It does sound like a better school for you considering what you are looking for and your plans.
Dartmouth is #3 out of all US colleges and universities in terms of quality of life. drops mic
In addition, Dartmouth has also been #1 in terms of undergraduate teaching for 5 out of the last 6 years.
http://now.dartmouth.edu/2012/10/best-quality-life-colleges-princeton-review-list-huffington-post
http://now.dartmouth.edu/2013/09/us-news-dartmouth-again-no-1-teaching-top-10-overall
Dartmouth also has the D-Plan which allows you to take internships/study abroad in the Fall, Winter, or Spring terms, which means you can easily get a Wall Street or other finance related internship during a period where there is little or no competition. If you are tired of internships, you can study abroad pretty much anywhere you want. 70% of students study abroad at least once and 10% study abroad at least three times during their time at Dartmouth. Once you graduate, the Dartmouth Alumni (esp. on Wall Street) will take care of you. In fact, Dartmouth is Morgan Stanley’s largest recruitment school.
Finally, Dartmouth has a strong Greek scene and is a party school. We work hard and play hard. We invented beer pong, and we inspired the movie Animal House. That being said, the Greek scene at Dartmouth is EXTREMELY inclusive. Almost all events besides formals are open to all students. That’s what separates Dartmouth from other state schools (esp. in the South) where the frats are super exclusive.
UNC-CH is a great school, but it does not compare to the intellectual and social atmosphere at Dartmouth where you can interact and befriend 4,000 of the brightest students in the nation and around the globe.
Pelican, u should check with a.lawyer. I’m not sure its even LEGAL to turn down an Ivy in favor of a public (except, of course, if the Ivy is Cornell).
OP, as has been said, Dartmouth is about as elite a feeder school as you can get in to (your chances of transferring in to Harvard and Wharton are, like most people’s, nil).