Dartmouth vs UPenn for political science: which is better for undergrad?

UPenn has the edge for political science if you want the broader undergraduate ecosystem for policy, research, and internships, while Dartmouth stands out more for close faculty access and a smaller department feel. At Penn, political science students benefit from being in Philadelphia, with easier access to government offices, nonprofits, legal organizations, and policy-focused campus programs. Dartmouth offers a more intimate academic setting, and that can translate into more individualized advising and easier relationship-building with professors.

One big difference is the surrounding opportunity structure. Penn’s location matters a lot for undergrads interested in politics or public policy work, because term-time internships and civic engagement are much easier to build into the semester.

Dartmouth’s advantage is the undergraduate academic experience itself. Classes in government are often discussed as accessible and discussion-driven, and the college’s smaller scale can make it easier to stand out, get strong recommendations, and work closely with faculty on research. For a student thinking seriously about PhD or policy school preparation, that kind of sustained mentorship can be extremely valuable.

Penn also gives you more ways to connect political science with adjacent fields. Because of the university’s size and structure, it is easier to combine politics with economics, history, urban studies, data analysis, international relations, or public policy-oriented coursework across schools and centers. That flexibility is useful if your interests are not limited to a traditional political science track.

For pure undergraduate attention, Dartmouth is very appealing. For the wider set of political science opportunities while still an undergrad, especially internships and interdisciplinary policy exposure, Penn is the stronger option.