Colgate vs Dartmouth: Help me decide!

I've been accepted to both Colgate University and Dartmouth College, and now I'm feeling a little bit stressed about making the right decision. What are the major differences between the two? Which one should I pick if I'm considering a major in the humanities? Any advice would be super helpful. Thanks in advance!

Congratulations on your acceptances to both Colgate University and Dartmouth College! That's a fantastic accomplishment. I can understand why you're feeling stressed about choosing between these two great institutions. I'll offer you a comparison of them to hopefully help you decide which one best suits your needs and preferences.

1. Size and Location: Colgate is a smaller private liberal arts college in Hamilton, NY, with a total undergraduate enrollment of around 3,000 students. Dartmouth, on the other hand, is an Ivy League research university in Hanover, NH, with around 4,400 undergraduate students. Both are located in small, picturesque college towns, the environment and size of the campuses are relatively similar.

2. Humanities Programs: Both Colgate and Dartmouth are known for their strong humanities programs, but the specific strengths of each may differ. Colgate has a strong focus on the interdisciplinary approach to the humanities, and it offers a wide range of majors like English, History, Philosophy, and more. Dartmouth excels in several fields as well, including English, Government, and Creative Writing, to name a few. You may want to research the specific programs you're interested in to see which school aligns better with your academic interests.

3. Research Opportunities: Dartmouth, being a research university, may offer more undergraduate research opportunities, even in the humanities. That said, Colgate also provides ample opportunities for independent research and collaborative work with professors.

4. Resources and Support: Both institutions have extensive resources and support services for their students. However, due to its Ivy League status and larger endowment, Dartmouth may have a wider range of opportunities, resources, and connections at its disposal.

5. Campus Life: The social scenes of the two schools might differ slightly. Dartmouth has a more prominent Greek life scene, which might be something to consider if you're interested in that aspect of college life. Colgate, on the other hand, is known for having a strong sense of community and a tight-knit campus, thanks to its smaller size.

6. Rankings and Prestige: Dartmouth generally has a higher national and international ranking, owing to its Ivy League status, which might impact the overall perception of the school. However, Colgate is highly regarded in academia, particularly among liberal arts colleges, and maintains its own level of prestige.

While this can provide you a general overview, your best bet is to visit the campuses, or at least speak to students or alumni from both campuses if visiting isn't feasible, so you can get a feel for which school you want to be your home for the next 4 years. Best of luck in your decision-making process!