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I think they are so close in the actual opportunities they provide that this decision comes down to a personal call.
Visit the schools and see which one feels right to you. Within the Ivies, they could not be more different in terms of environment, culture, and the student body. Between them, the one that fits you best is the one most likely to help you succeed the most.
If you like Dartmouth more go there.
Yea, the schools are very different. Dartmouth = hanover, small town, very close knit community, greek culture is big, draws outdoorsy people (PE courses include kayaking, horseback riding, snowboarding, etc.) Columbia = NYC!! somewhat community-feel with its nice campus (unlike NYU), but not as close knit because people wander around in the city to hang. Columbia has the the notorious core, so if you absolutely are appalled by that (which I personally was), then it's probably not a good school for you. I have friends at Columbia who say that it takes 2 years to complete the core. But again, Columbia = NYC!! so easier access to internships/networking I'm guessing, maybe even part time internships. Dartmouth = Dplan, might have some advantage there. Overall, it's pretty even. It really should come down to personal choice; both schools will be great to get into Wall Street, no question.
Columbia will give you a wider selection of girls to choose from. Head down to NYU with your Columbia sweater on, spit some game, and get lucky! Plus, once you hit 21 (or get a good fake ID) then New York's clubbing scene is open for you. Pure awesomeness. I loved Columbia; it is a great school academically. Columbia easily has the nicest campus out of all American schools (save Princeton, but I'm going to Penn - Wharton so I would not readily admit that). All in all, I think Columbia is the better choice. Networking with CBS grads has got to be better than with Tuck grads. But dude, seriously, it is all about the women. Go to Columbia.
The other things you said were over-the-top, but this is outright absurd. In the Ivies alone, Columbia is arguably the ugliest. It is a wonderful school, but the campus is severely limited by its urban space. The other Ivies are much greener and grander--and, in terms of city campuses specifically, Yale is leagues beyond Columbia.
It's also surrounded by Harlem.
Columbia.
monyet, exactly how many American schools are there?
Dartmouth
They’re 3000 or so accredited schools in America. Fine, what I said may have been hyperbole, but I stand by this: Columbia’s campus is wonderful. But then again, with anything aesthetic, I suppose preferences are always personal. I personally thought that Yale was very ugly and depressing; perhaps other people like gothic architecture but it's just not for me. Even though Columbia is in the city, I think its campus is absolutely gorgeous. They have statues everywhere and most of the campus is enclosed within its own perimeter (so it does not feel like the city - unlike NYU). It’s not like you are living in a shanty town in Harlem. Plus you have all of New York to visit (even though most people don’t).
I know someone that went to Dartmouth. She loved it academically, but she HATED the weather. As a result, she is only applying to medical schools on the west coast. Keep this in mind, NH gets very cold.
I'm pretty sure Columbia has better recruiting
Either place is fantastic. Congrats on being accepted to both. Recruiting is the same at both places. Tons of Dartmouth and Columbia people on Wall Street. Dartmouth is in rural NH and the outdoors activities there are awesome. Culture is very collegial (imagine that, a collegial college!) and prepares you well for banking. Frats are a huge part of campus life, so much so that there really isn't a "typical" frat or sorority person. I know a lot less about Columbia, obviously in NYC, but methinks not quite so tight knit a community? Maybe I'm wrong.
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