Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

i'm trying to decide whether or not to apply for dartmouth rd. i was accepted early at yale, but i still like dartmouth...so why would anyone choose dartmouth over yale? what can dartmouth offer that yale can't?

By Warriorlax22 (Warriorlax22) on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 - 08:47 pm: Edit

lots and lots of parties. personally, i would go to yale.

By Flgirl04 (Flgirl04) on Wednesday, December 17, 2003 - 10:27 pm: Edit

The two are totally different. I have stayed overnight at both schools. Personally, I liked Dartmouth, but it depends on your personality. Dartmouth puts a lot more emphasis on undergraduates than Yale does. I found the students to be more welcoming and friendly at DC. The campus was classic and beautiful. Yale is a great school for undergrads if you want to go into buisness, law, or the arts. The two locations are completely different. Yale is urban; DC is well let's face it, Rural, but still accessible.
It's great that you got into Yale EA. Congrats! But dont feel that because you got in, you HAVE to go there. Go with your gut. Personally, something didnt quite feel right at Yale. I just felt more comfortable at DC. Make sure you like the school for the right reasons. Name and ranking isn't everything. Visit both again. If you haven't stayed overnight, do so. Go to the dinning hall at both campuses and just talk to people. (you have probably already done this) The good thing is, if you feel that you made the wrong decision, you can always transfer.
Both are great schools. Just go with whichever one you feel more comfortable at. Good luck to you!
BTW...I found the Yalies to be more drunk than those at DC. DC's frat parties were way better. Less puking, more talking.

By Aisforadmission (Aisforadmission) on Thursday, December 18, 2003 - 01:27 am: Edit

No contest, Dartmouth! Okay, I'm joking around but I did go to Dartmouth and work in the admin office and if this means anything, I'd still attend Dartmouth over any other college today. But of course Flgirl is right -- they are quite different. If you hate being in a smallish town in NH, Dartmouth will NOT be for you. However, Dartmouth students have among the highest rates of student satisfaction of any college in the country. Talk to Dartmouth students and they'll simply RAVE -- talk to Yale students and they like school, but do they LOVE it? But for certain academic areas Yale would win, for others, Dartmouth. If you have very specific academic interests, look carefully at those departments -- how big are they, who teaches in them, how is the major structured, etc... Ultimately that should be a big part. And then pick D, hee hee

By Usamad (Usamad) on Thursday, December 18, 2003 - 06:05 pm: Edit

hi...i applied early to dartmouth and i got in...but i'm starting to have second thoughts...i'm thinking i might have gotten into yale if i applied early. honestly, i have not visited yale OR dartmouth...yes i know its retarded, but there were family problems that didn't allow me to visit...but i still applied to dartmouth because my research showed that it was a good school. and i had thought about applying early to yale, but since i hadn't received my SATII scores, i had no confidence in myself and i applied to the lesser (in terms of ratings and prestige and fame) of the two schools, namely darmouth. i just want to ask tho...is dartmouth good enough? and i've heard weird things...about drinking (i don't drink), and how it is very commonplace. i'm worried about the isolation, loneliness, etc. anyway, can someone tell me more about life at dartmouth? thanks!

By Flgirl04 (Flgirl04) on Thursday, December 18, 2003 - 10:57 pm: Edit

Well Usamad, since Dartmouth is binding, you're kinda stuck. Dartmouth is a great school. You will love it. Congrats on your acceptance! I'm applying RD and really hope I get in. BTW, Dartmouth is serious about academics. They have never cancelled a class for snow. That can be good or bad depending on how you look at it. hehe

By Isacc (Isacc) on Thursday, December 18, 2003 - 11:06 pm: Edit

usamad
have u been reading the yale boards no one got in !!...no matter how great your scores it was a crapshoot and the odds were horrible..you should been so proud u made the right choice both application wise and for the next 4 years..every one my son and i speak to loves dartmouth.

By Yalie05 (Yalie05) on Thursday, December 18, 2003 - 11:45 pm: Edit

I personally LOVE and ADORE Yale! a lot of people here would also say that they love it. it's a beyond incredible experience!

By Humburdy (Humburdy) on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 12:23 am: Edit

yalie05: how is yale beyond incredible? (i've never been to any university campus in the us)

By Yalie05 (Yalie05) on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 02:51 pm: Edit

Ok...let me try to sell it to you Well, when you first get here they treat you like kings and queens. Freshman year they pamper you like crazy. They make you feel really at home and loved That's what first struck me when I came to Yale-the friendliness of the population. Almost everyone here at Yale is awesome! I've made some of my best friends here. Besides that, they provide you with amazing opportunities. I'm on this email list that informs you of the fellowships and scholarships that you can apply to if you need any sort of funding to engage in whatever random project or research you want. Yale's resources are amazing. There's a library about everywhere you go, including one in every residential college, which brings me to the next point. The residential college system is great. I've never been at another school, but the residential college makes it seem like you're at a home away from home because of it's big house-type atmosphere. It's more personal than just a dorm system. Also, during finals period they treat us so well. Every residential college has daily study breaks where they buy us take-out food or have personal cooks prepare the food. And, this year I discovered that they have this stress down event during finals where you can go and play games, get free stuff, and get massages! It doesn't get any better than this! I LOVE THIS PLACE!

Although the academics are quite hard, which was something I struggled with sophomore year(esp. if you're a science major), I do believe that it's great that we're being challenged. Yale does live up to it's ivy league reputation in that it is difficult, but at that same time you get that feeling of accomplishment when you actually do well because you know that your work was actually of quality.

In addition, you get to meet a plethora of famous people, which are simply cool extra perks. During my time here I've met Bill Clinton twice and shook his hand both times. I've also seen Stephen King, Ben Carson, Christopher Reeve(his daughter goes here), Barbara Bush(she's a student), the governor of DC, Tony Williams(i'm from the area), etc, etc. While meeting those people have not been the highlight of my yale experience, being able to meet these people shows the kind of treatment and experience that yale students get!

Overall, what's made my Yale experience that greatest is the people that I've met, whether it be some of the great teachers that have become my mentors or the wonderful students who have become my friends! Yale is awesome! I'm already more than half way through, but I'm still constantly reminded of how blessed and fortunate I am to be at a place like Yale, expecially after being on this site and seeing the amount of applicants who were numberwise more qualified than me get rejected. I feel so thankful

By Yalie05 (Yalie05) on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 02:53 pm: Edit

oh, and the campus is sooooo beautiful! i fell in love with it since the moment I stepped foot on it. most of the buildings are gothic and ancient looking, which provides this really romantic atmosphere. it's like being in a castle for 4 years! look at the picture in my profile...that's actually one of the less pretty parts of campus!

By Usamad (Usamad) on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 05:07 pm: Edit

flgirl04...ya i know i'm stuck...i'm sad, i coulda tried yale. and u know what? NOT to be cocky or arrogant, but i'm looking at the stats of the people who got in ED this yr...and its not that great. and ALL this time i was worried that my scores weren't good enough. had i found out my SATII scores earlier i woulda definitely done yale. anyway, where else are u applying?

By Usamad (Usamad) on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 05:13 pm: Edit

hi isacc...y didn't anyone get in to yale? was it really such a crapshoot? i still think i coulda had a good shot at yale...i've got a 1460 SAT, SATIIs: 800 writing, 800 bio, and 780 math IIc...plus i'm an immigrant whose first language isn't even english...and i've been in the US for only 3 yrs...i was hoping that with my writing score and verbal score (740) could make me stand out since most immigrants (at leeast the ones i have heard of) aren't that strong in english...that's part of the reasoning y i thought i had a shot at yale. but i would really appreciate it if u could enlighten me about the situation.

By Isacc (Isacc) on Saturday, December 20, 2003 - 12:08 am: Edit

yallie05...no doubt yale is great, it is just that the chances this year were slim..Usamed, i am sure you went to parents forum and see all the sad defers and rejection..see early ad strategy at parents forum to understand the bloodbath of this years applicants to yale

By Yalie05 (Yalie05) on Saturday, December 20, 2003 - 03:01 am: Edit

true, but humburdy already got in...

By Flgirl04 (Flgirl04) on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 12:04 am: Edit

Um Usamad...U wouldnt have gotten in. Frankly, your SAT is too low. Your SAT II's are great but dont back up your SAT I. I know many people who had high 1500 SAT scores and perfect SAT II's who didnt get in. You should be thankful. Your taking your ED acceptance for granted. Frankly, I think its sad. You shouldn't be sad that you got in. You should really get things into perspective. I dont say this to be mean. I am being honest. Yale might be great, but you got into Dart. And probably wouldnt have gotten into Yale So be HAPPY! How can you be so jaded?

By Willhf (Willhf) on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 12:55 am: Edit

Dear usamad,

It's true,
Yale is an absolutely great place for the people,
who aren't fortunate enough to go to Dartmouth.

By Isacc (Isacc) on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 08:07 am: Edit

willhf

well said!!

By Usamad (Usamad) on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 10:46 am: Edit

flgirl04...i'm not "jaded." i'm just rethinking the steps that i took for college admission. u guys are prob right...i mean yale only accepted 16.5% of their applicants, half of dartmouth's ED acceptance rate...and trust me, i am VERY happy to have gotten in early, because a lotta burden is off my shoulders...but as i said, i was having some second thoughts because i thought i coulda done better...and part of the reason i say this is that i know some ppl who aren't that great in academics or anything else but still got into yale and i also know others who got into schools that they did not deserve.

By Jimster0489 (Jimster0489) on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 08:23 pm: Edit

OMFG

That is crazy.

1460 SAT, SATIIs: 800 writing, 800 bio, and 780 math IIc is hellllla good

Don't forget that those of you who score in those ranges are NOT average - you r highly ABOVE average!

So stop saying theyre NOT good enough, SO many people want those scores!

By Qwaszx321 (Qwaszx321) on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 10:23 pm: Edit

You should be very happy to get into Dartmouth. Based on your attitude, it sounds like you were very lucky to get into such a great school; you don't deserve to go there. In addition, your SAT scores suck for ivy league.

By Usamad (Usamad) on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 11:40 pm: Edit

qwaszx...what the hell do u mean "lucky to get in"? not be pretentious, but i was qualified. and that 1460 is not "sucks" u arrogant prick. u should look at some of the stats of the ppl who got into dartmouth early decision this year...then u'll see what "sucks" is. and u don't know anything about my other academic strengths...so i would kepp my hole shut. and i very much deserve to go there...u damned dumbass.

By Willhf (Willhf) on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 12:01 pm: Edit

usamad,
If you are so smart,

why do you waste your time arguing with people that don't even understand that
a 1460 is a great SAT score?

qwaszx321 probably just made fun of you
to see you say something stupid and arrogant.

What I find amusing is,
you wouldn't expect a 1460 kid
to apply to a binding school if it wasn't his first choice.

usamad, you have things completely wrong:

".but as i said, i was having some second thoughts because i thought i coulda done better.."

One can't do better than Dartmouth.

The only thing Yale does better than Dartmouth,
is inflating the egos of superficial people.

Don't admit to needing this Yale advantage!

By Usamad (Usamad) on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 02:24 pm: Edit

willhf...are you a dartmouth alum? student? i'm just wondering because you have very high opinions about dartmouth.
so you find that amusing? hm. alright. i don't need to explain anything to you.

By Encomium (Encomium) on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 02:41 pm: Edit

USAMAD...You are incredibly arrogant yourself, and have a poor attitude...Yale likes to accept people with good attitudes who don't want to go to their school cause it's more "name brand" or of higher ranking, they want ppl to apply because Yale is a perfect fit. You still don't even know if it's a perfect fit. May your ignorance in the college admissions process serve you poorly in that you are unhappy at Dartmouth-not because it's a bad school but because you're so arrogant that you think you can do better! Wait till someone at Dartmouth who got a 1370 SAT gets higher grades and better recommendations than you...

By Usamad (Usamad) on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 05:41 pm: Edit

encomium...shut ur damn face.

By Flgirl04 (Flgirl04) on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 12:20 am: Edit

WHOA! Whats up with all this hostility on the board! Usamad, when I said your SAT is low, I meant it was low for Yale this year. 1460 is a great score. I mean c'mon lets get things into perspective. Yale might be a great school for some and Dartmouth the best for others. I just wonder why you applied to a school ED if you clearly didnt have a first choice? But that's alright. You are in a great position. You're going to go to a WONDERFUL college and have a great time. We should all be so lucky! Good post Willhf! SAT isnt all that matters. I have many friends who are of the same academic callibur as me and didnt get as high SAT's. No one in college is gonna care what your SAT was. If all you can say in life is I got a high SAT, well that is pretty sad. This was a rather silly discussion board to begin with. Usamad, lets put this discussion to rest knowning that you are going to a great school and gonna have a great time and get a great education. Dont even think about any other schools because they aren't gonna happen. And that is a GOOD THING! Congradulations, you're going to DARTMOUTH!

By Isacc (Isacc) on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 07:19 am: Edit

flgirl04
you are well spoken and we do hope you are next to be accepted, hopefully a likely later in February!!

By Usamad (Usamad) on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 02:14 pm: Edit

you ARE well spoken flgirl04....and u might not understand y i did ED to a school that wasn't very much my first choice, but there were reasons. thanks for ur message.

By Wyoskiguy (Wyoskiguy) on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 03:54 am: Edit

I agree. I was accepted ED to Dartmouth and frankly I'm thrilled. Usamad- your attitude is pitiful. I am frankly very sorry that I will have to attend school with you for the next four years. Maybe I will get lucky and you will transfer. You should be happy you got into Dartmouth. It's a wonderful school, and if it wasn't your first choice or if you were doubting yourself- or if you played the ED game ignorant of how the game works, then I am sorry the admissions office didn't take your poor attitude into account as well. I was excited to go to Dartmouth because I love the people. I really hope that you will come around. If I were you, I would call Dartmouth and say "I can't go" yes it will blackball you from just about every other school- but a person like you doesn't deserve to go to college.

Oh, and don't yell at me and call me a prick as you have in previous posts, your gratuitous comments greatly display your level of immaturity. Spare yourself.

By Usamad (Usamad) on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 02:21 pm: Edit

wyoskiguy...you are completely and utterly unaware of the situation i was previously in and the situation i am in now...and no, i do NOT want to explain that situation to you...so in light of that, i think that u can ALSO show a level of maturity by not attacking me about it...and yes, i am also very sorry that you will be my fellow 08.

By Usamad (Usamad) on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 02:34 pm: Edit

oh and zach skystal is it? how do i all of a sudden deserve NOT to go to college? exactly what have i said that i have had to listen to your nonsensical, egoistical blabbering? isn't everyone entitled to his doubts? isn't it also quite amusing that I am the one with the great "level of immaturity"?

By Wyoskiguy (Wyoskiguy) on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 03:45 pm: Edit

I'm not trying to tell you that you are a horrible person, I think your character (whether that be it or not I am not saying) is evident. I just think that it was awful that you applied ED to a school and took a spot from someone who deserved and wanted to go there. Dartmouth was my first choice school, it is a perfect fit for me, and I am so happy to go there. So truly (and this is no name bashing or anything) I just think you really don't deserve to go to a good school- if you are so bad at dealing with important decisions that you screwed up your applications and the way you did them- you're on the wrong path. Really....I imagine we'll meet, and who knows- we will probably get along. But you made an awful mistake that probably hurt someone else.

By Usamad (Usamad) on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 04:00 pm: Edit

i really don't care how i spell your name. and no it's not my immaturity that's amusing (that was supposed to be sarcastic, you who claim to be so much better than me)...and u have no right...NO RIGHT to even begin to dare to tell me that i don't deserve to go to a school...because THAT, styskal, is also very immature and rude of you. and how dare you judge my character? how dare you make any conclusions about my being? you sure seem to know alot about me from these message boards....wow, u're one sad picture too...and no, i have NO intentions of trying to get along with you, and it's too bad things have to be this way because i am not as hostile as you.
---and i thought we put an end to this thread....until, of course, u came along....and how do u know my last name?

By Wyoskiguy (Wyoskiguy) on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 09:31 pm: Edit

I'm sensing something here....are you mad?

By Usamad (Usamad) on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 09:36 pm: Edit

WOW zach did u just realize or are u being sarcastic?

By Wyoskiguy (Wyoskiguy) on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 10:20 pm: Edit

you're a quick one, aren't ya!

By Flgirl04 (Flgirl04) on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 11:35 pm: Edit

WHOA GUYS! You can't judge someones character by this little post. We don't know what Usamad's circumstances were. Congrats to you Wyoskiguy! I hope to see you both at Dart! First, however, I have to get in.

By Cybernetica (Cybernetica) on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 11:40 pm: Edit

Dear Mods,

Please be kind and shut these two betisers down so that we may use this forum for more productive, informative, or at least entertaining discussions.

Happy Holidays,
Sahil

By Usamad (Usamad) on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 12:22 am: Edit

abusive post deleted. --Admin

By Usamad (Usamad) on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 12:24 am: Edit

and flgirl04....thank you for ur post.

By Wyoskiguy (Wyoskiguy) on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 12:50 am: Edit

wow...I agree, let's put this to an end. You're right, this is not "good" to say the least, lol. Anyway, Usama- sorry for any problems I may have caused. I'm not too afraid of you crushing my skull really, more just...this has lost its fun for me. Take care!

And flgirl, hope to see you there, too! good luck!

By Usamad (Usamad) on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 12:58 am: Edit

that's good to hear zach...i just hope we can be more amicable towards each other at the big green.

By Wyoskiguy (Wyoskiguy) on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 01:12 am: Edit

deal.

By Ivyleaguegirl07 (Ivyleaguegirl07) on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 05:29 am: Edit

so i was bored and couldn't sleep so i decided to check this site just for fun... and wow, everyone should just chill out and not be so angry! instead, u should all be happy that u got into such a great school. congratulations to all!

aww and everyone should stop picking on USAMAD! after all, we can't know a person's true character from a message board. and USAMAD... i think wat initially annoyed ppl was how u implied that u felt u had a really good chance had u applied to yale esp with a 1460 (which while it is a good score, is still kind of low for ivies)... i mean college acceptances are all really just a crapshoot. i know ppl with perfect collegeboards who got rejected from yale and dartmouth... and it can be really painful for someone who didn't get in to hear another who did get in talk about how they are now having second thoughts... of course i don't know ur situation so i'm not trying to attack u or anything... just trying to offer some advice to be more sensitive about the topic in the future...

but congratulations to all of u on ur acceptances and to those who r still applying... good luck!

By Morgantruce (Morgantruce) on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 08:59 am: Edit

Here is a very old piece that still sheds light on the virtues of a Dartmouth education---although it is done in a comparison with Harvard:

http://69.57.157.207/archives/000264.php

By Usamad (Usamad) on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 12:21 pm: Edit

ivyleaguegirl...a 1460 isn't that low for the ivies at all...i know several people who have gotten into brown, columbia, cornell, and even dartmouth with scores much worse than mine....but yes you're right....it is not at all stellar either.
btw what school do u go to?

By Usamad (Usamad) on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 12:28 pm: Edit

morgantruce...thanks for your post...that is a very interesting article...where did u find it? and what is the "dartmouth review"?

By Usamad (Usamad) on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 12:32 pm: Edit

ha nvm...it's the newspaper...i thought it was called just "the dartmouth"

By Morgantruce (Morgantruce) on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 01:32 pm: Edit

Notwithstanding the abundant drivel on the order of "My school is Number One..." there are many well-written articles that actually shed some light on the true flavors of particular colleges.

----

I live in a rural area that had many "outsiders" moving in during the 1970's. There was one large group of recent Dartmouth grads that was noteworthy (one moved in... soon followed by a bunch of friends.)
Each bought their own small parcel of land and began their rural life. Each one of these Dartmouth alumni exhibited an interesting blend of thinking and doing. It's hard to describe, but you never get bored hanging around such people. Over a period of thirty years, they never disappointed. Most have since moved in new interesting directions.

By Wyoskiguy (Wyoskiguy) on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 01:47 pm: Edit

Actually Usama, the Dartmouth Review is the conservative newspaper while the Dartmouth is the regular newspaper. (As far as I'm aware) so in essence, you were right- the paper is called "The Dartmouth" but there are many publications. As far as I know, The D is the main paper on campus because it is published daily, while the Dartmouth Review is a weekly paper.

By Usamad (Usamad) on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 02:19 pm: Edit

to anyone who has read this message board...or cares about what has been going on the past few days: i would like to call your attention to the last few posts on the "Dmouth class of 2008" message board. thank you.

By Ivyleaguegirl07 (Ivyleaguegirl07) on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 03:27 pm: Edit

USAMAD, i'm a freshman at dartmouth.

see u there next fall and enjoy the rest of ur senior year!

By Humburdy (Humburdy) on Monday, December 29, 2003 - 02:23 pm: Edit

yalie05, you're so enthusiastic! i have more questions about yale, especially about science majors. could you email me?

By Lakerlax (Lakerlax) on Sunday, January 04, 2004 - 06:04 pm: Edit

first of all, im happy about being a dartmouth 08 and usama you should be too! its a great school and great party school whooo. but i was just reaeding your post about getting into yale, etc what I am starting to really understand is that getting into these schools is not about numbers, your numbers need to be decent obviously (satI over 1400, 3 satIIs over 720, GPA quite high, top 5%) but other than that it is up to you to sell yourself, it is the total package, and not even just your extracurrics but also your personality and uniqueness as an individual. So if yale had wanted someone with your package and you presented your self well you most likely would have gotten in, and your dartmouth package was certainly excellent enough to get you in so you be proud of that and not regret it

By Unstuck (Unstuck) on Sunday, January 04, 2004 - 06:08 pm: Edit

Oh lord. . . I just read this, and that argument was annoying. I have very little sympathy, Usama, and hope you soon learn to argue coherently rather than just saying "How dare you!" repeatedly. Why in the world would you insult the other ED-accepted Dartmouth '08s on the friggin' Dartmouth board? Thanks a lot. . . as a fellow '08, I'm rather offended. I hope you tame your arrogance and come to love Dartmouth, Usama.

By Sheeprun (Sheeprun) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 10:54 am: Edit

Usamad will have to be mad somewhere else.


Add from Obiwan: to whomever is anonymously and repeatedly requesting that this thread be deleted, no Mod had decided that it is justified. Some posts have been edited/deleted. Otherwise, the thread stays. The fact that one poster was a jerk--and got banned--does not invalidate the rest of the thread.


Note to "ARC": Get a life!

Sheeprun
<moderator>