A message to 2014's

Colleges and Universities A-Z Dartmouth College
1

<p>Do yourselves a favor and do NOT come to Dartmouth next year. I'm a member of the class of 2013 and I can tell you that speaking badly about the school is taboo in the small, surreal world that is Dartmouth College. Therefore, you will hear very little of the negative aspects of the school and will make a misinformed decision if and when you choose to come here.</p>

<p>I'm a normal kid from a middle-sized town in average America; I got lucky and got into Dartmouth last year - I didn't receive the best grades and test scores, I'm not an athletic recruit, a legacy, or a great writer, and I'm white with no apparent hereditary significance. I'm from a relatively poor public school and had to do very little work to get my diploma. That being said, my first term at Dartmouth was surprisingly easy, I didn't learn much, and my teachers weren't the best (though I must say the undergraduate teaching as a whole does seem very strong at this institution).</p>

<p>The social life is horrendous. The girls are ugly, the guys are ******s, and the frat scene is dominated by well-to-do prep school kids from new england and new york city who paid their way through private/boarding school in order to get a free ride to their daddy's alma mater. If you're one of those kids, and you know who you are, disregard this post; you'll love it here.</p>

<p>I can rant for hours, but I know I've probably lost 95% of you by now anyway. Its cold, it sucks, people are fake and shallow, though they try their absolute best not to be, it backfires and makes them look ridiculous. I'm not some loner bashing the school - I've made my fair share of friends and there are certainly interesting, kind, and genuine people here, but the alcoholic, ******-bag, attention-craving majority rules. Most kids don't actually love the outdoors like I was told they did. There's a small group, this is true, but people had me believing nearly everyone loved to camp and run and bike and hike and paddle their free time away in the beautiful surrounding landscape.</p>

<p>Don't come here. I bought into the "Ivy League" prestige. It's bull ****. I can't describe how much I loathe it, I want to leave, but I feel compelled to stay. I tell people that I like it here, because they would be concerned for me if they heard anything else. The people that tell you they like it here, half of them probably feel the same as me, but think about it, has anyone you've met for the first time on a college campus ever told you they don't like it there? I searched forums and whatnot last year trying to make my decision. I rode off the negative reviews as being exceptions - students who were just social "losers." Unfortunately for me, in the case of Dartmouth, I was miserably wrong.</p>

2

<p>Thanks for the warning I guess? but I am pretty sure that most people that say how great Dartmouth is aren’t lying. The reason I say this is because I have seen a significant number of CCers post how much the don’t like other schools that they have attended and I don’t see why Dartmouth would be an exception to this rule. </p>

<p>BTW, are you going to transfer?</p>

3

<p>oh and Dartmouth is still my #1 choice. I’ve heard too many good things about it and I visited and loved it so yeah. :slight_smile: However, not every college is right for every person.</p>

4

<p>Sorry to hear that Dartmouth and you aren’t getting along. </p>

<p>It can only get better from here I suppose.</p>

5

<p>Sorry it’s not working out. Even the best schools have students that find it’s not a good fit for one reason or another. It happens every year.</p>

<p>If I were you I’d put the hammer down on studying and earn the very best grades you can, and use them to transfer to a school more to your liking.</p>

6

<p>I’ve tried to avoid posting here since I got in but this is just ridiculous. If you don’t like Dartmouth, that’s fine. Don’t try to force your closed minded view on all the prospective students on this board.</p>

<p>In my experience, Dartmouth has been everything I wanted and more. I didn’t come from an uber-privileged background and I’ve found the student body as a whole to be great. Sure you are going to find some people who are there mostly because of their families but those people exist at each Ivy or highly selective school. I’m still learning things about my friends that blow me away. People here are the opposite of fake and shallow. </p>

<p>As for the social life, I can see how some people wouldn’t like Dartmouth. If you are fundamentally opposed to drinking and being in the presence of people who are drinking, you will find limited options in terms of social life. Although keep in mind that there are a lot of people here who didn’t really drink in high school. The frat scene is one of the best assets dartmouth has to offer incoming students. I came into Dartmouth afraid of frats, that i thought were dominated by *******s. Ive found out that it gives Dartmouth what the other Ivies lack, a centralized social scene where EVERYONE is welcome to hang out. </p>

<p>Don’t let this guy give you some terribly disfigured view of dartmouth. Everyone here loves it, I constantly have conversations with my D friends about how none of our other friends are genuinely in love their colleges the way we are. Feel free to post or message me if you have any questions.</p>

7

<p>To each his own.</p>

<p>I didn’t like my undergraduate school, but thousands of others have gone there and loved it.</p>

8

<p>My two-cents: I actually didn’t love Dartmouth my first year there. I was overwhelmed by the social scene and didn’t find my niche. Then as time was on I had found that things changed. I loved life during “camp dartmouth” - i.e. sophomore summer. had an incredible academic life my junior year with a grant to do research in the pacific. Then a couple Dartmouth led study programs around the world. By senior year I lived in an awesome house with 7 of my friends. By graduation I didn’t want to leave. I got to know so many amazing people and has an experience that was beyond any expectations. Interestingly I think my experience is pretty common. As time goes on I think Dartmouth just “sets in.”</p>

9

<p>“I constantly have conversations with my D friends about how none of our other friends are genuinely in love their colleges the way we are.” That comment - which I hear all the time at school - is so ridiculous. Do you spend a lot of time at other colleges? If that even is the case, why do you talk about it “constantly” with your other classmates? It forms an elitist attitude that to me is sickening. Many other schools have quirky traditions and events that are fun and exciting. Dartmouth isn’t unique in that respect as so many students think. I personally would enjoy them much more if I didn’t hear “Oh, only at Dartmouth!” and “I bet other schools don’t do/have this!” Imagine if an individual acted that way, if they talked themselves up like that and degraded everyone else despite being relatively the same as those around them. They’d most likely get their ass handed to them. </p>

<p>I’m not trying to force my view, I’m just giving potential students a different view of the school; one that I wish I had before making my decision given that I chose to come here on a coin toss between dartmouth and another school which I thought had much in common. My post is only one very small, almost insignificant factor in all the 2014s decision process and if someone doesn’t choose Dartmouth because of my post it means they probably weren’t so intent on it in the first place. Essentially I’m the potential straw to break the camels back. If people read what I had to say and still feel like Dartmouth is the school for them then I’m happy for them. Golfer3 - I hope you get in/already got in and should you choose to come here, I hope you have a wonderful time and prosper greatly from it. Outside of the social aspect, Dartmouth is great. The education is good, the food is pretty good, the surrounding area is very nice (if country/rural living is your thing), and for every obnoxious kid there is a very interesting, intelligent, multidimensional person hiding somewhere, most of whom you won’t find in the frats which is a shame since thats so far the only place to congregate en mass on campus. </p>

<p>I’ve talked to many upperclassmen who feel like slipper1234. All those aforementioned students in “hiding” slowly find one another outside of the frat scene and become happy with their college life. Hopefully this is the case for me and anyone else who feels the same. I didn’t set out to be a cynic, I just wanted to put in my two cents and wish everyone on here the absolute best in the mind-numbing college application process. ya diggggg?</p>

10

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<p>Well, you are doing a lot more than simply offering an alternate opinion or relating ways in which Dartmouth has disappointed you. You are actively trying to dissuade people from attending Dartmouth. Your very first sentence: “Do yourselves a favor and do NOT come to Dartmouth next year” is quite forceful and leaves no room for the thought that others might like the place.</p>

11

<p>I don’t know why everyone’s shooting BFK down. As a prospective student, I’m glad to hear negative reviews once in awhile. After all, this forum is supposed to help us make informed decisions; it shouldn’t be a giant advertisement for Dartmouth.</p>

12

<p>Always good to hear from both sides of the spectrum concerning potential colleges.</p>

13

<p>My dartmouth interviewer taught me a drinking game after the interview. Go figure!</p>

14

<p>An applicant asked me to comment here, so I will. Full disclosure: most of my info comes from DS, a soph, who indeed attended a NYC prep though he doesn’t have a free ride by any means and is not a legacy. I have also worked for decades with many Dartmouth grads and watched their kids attend, and I’ve hired dozens. Almost all gush with unbridled love of the place.</p>

<p>But I’ve observed that their is definitely a group that will not be happy there. Anyone offended by the drinking/Greek culture, anyone seeking city life…and like any ivy/top LAC, there are many wealthy/prep school grads that seem like foreigners to many. This was the case for me when I attended Wharton too.</p>

<p>Whether you want to see this side of life, assimilate into it or avoid it is entirely a personal decision. These groups that offend the OP are running corporate America and the growing meritocracies that ivies are present a chance for many to get to know those that are the offspring America’s ruling class, and to acclimatize to the general tone of many jobs in business where many Dartmouth grads head.</p>

<p>I can report that DS has brought home many, many friends from poor and middle class backgrounds that love the college. The get along well with the preppies, love the network that gets them great off term jobs and enjoy the party that is Dartmouth.</p>

<p>When I read posts such as the one by the OP, and there have been several, I wonder if the writer did their research and spent any time at the school. Dartmouth is what it is–most who attend love it and make life long friendships and contacts. But I would say that 10% who end up there hate it, and I always wonder how they missed the facts–everything they complain about is well known about the college!</p>

<p>BTW, I had a business partner who loves Dartmouth dearly. He claims to never have entered a frat and to have spent most of his 4 years engaging and dining with profs. Life is what you make it.</p>

15

<p>I honestly have to disagree with a lot that has been said. Of course a school isn’t perfect for everyone, but I can’t say how many different personalities and types of people I know and am friends with, who all love it here.</p>

<p>I am from Westchester, NY and went to a private school in the Bronx and had to do a fair amount of work. At Dartmouth I find that your workload really depends on your classes.</p>

<p>With only 3 classes at once, 1 really easy class can really tilt your workload and make your term a breeze, while 1 hard class can really make your term stressful. </p>

<p>Personally, I really loved one of my teachers here and my other professors haven’t been bad at all. The workload can vary but it really depends on your classes. I would say I had a fair amount of work but my roommate, who is taking a lot of science classes, would laugh at my workload. Just because you may not be drowning in work your first term, doesn’t mean it won’t come. Believe me, there are several professors just waiting for you to walk in their class.</p>

<p>I guess I am from the New York city area, but I defiantly did not go to an “elite” prep school and neither of my parents went to Dartmouth. I feel very comfortable in the frats but there is also so much else to do. </p>

<p>Going to see Antigone at the Hop with friends on a Saturday night was just as much fun, if not better than frat hopping. My involvement in so many interesting clubs and activities on campus has filled up my calendar.</p>

<p>My friends are extremely diverse, from the New England to California to Korea. I feel just as comfortable spending a night playing bingo (yes bingo) or spending a night visiting different Frats and Sororities.</p>

<p>The people on campus ARE the reason I came here. People are extremely friendly here, almost surprisingly so sometimes. There are so many people I have met and become friends with, that I would never talked to before. Yes there are some rich prep school types (gasp), but there are also artsy types, outdoor types, and the list goes on.</p>

<p>And there are a lot of outdoorsy people here. No it isn’t everyone, including me, but there are definitely a lot of people here who love hiking, climbing, skiing, ect.</p>

<p>Lastly:
Fraternities and sororities seem to all be grouped together here. Yes there is a certain aspect that they all share. But they are far from all the same. I almost cringe when I here them all grouped as one, when all of them can be so different.</p>

16

<p>Personally I can see how being a first year at Dartmouth is overwhelming. The social scene does dominate and the many great people the school should seem to offer might seem to be lemmings. You applied and got into one of the best schools in the country. So why the chase to all be the same?</p>

<p>Because they are freshman. The more inspired people tend to form their own social circles and for some reason this tends to always happen during sophomore summer. Its then when it all changes. You start to see the greek scene for what it is, not totally bad and actually quite open and friendly in many respects (I recommend sticking to the webster ave frats by the way). The whole campus becomes much less intimidating. Your friends start to go on study abroad programs together and your major becomes really small. The real Dartmouth starts to assert itself from all the noise that was there first year. And by graduation you’ll probably love it more than anything and you’ll have 30 Dartmouth friends around you all the time when you graduate…</p>

<p>I’ve just seen this cycle a lot. Stick in there.</p>

17

<p>My freshman S is from a non-competitive rural high school and was significantly challenged his first term. He had one so-so and two great professors who were interesting, caring and helpful. His grades were good. </p>

<p>He does not enjoy the frats, not because of the drinking as much as the smoking. While at school he lamented on the social disconnect he was supposedly experiencing and made it seem like he had few friends and activities. Since he got home for break, though, we’ve heard regular mention of friends and fun. Go figure. He is happy to be home but also ready to get back to Hanover. He admits he likes it, but maybe doesn’t love it like he though he would.</p>

<p>I was warned by other college-parents that the first year sometimes/often isn’t the dream students envision no matter what school they choose. Infatuation happens fast; love takes time.</p>

18

<p>slipper1234 and getalifemom say it better than I can. I don’t hate the school, but I don’t love it either. I’m not looking forward to going back but I’m not so miserable I don’t think I can’t stick it out for 4 years. I’m sure the friendships I’ve made will grow and I’ll enjoy my time more.</p>

<p>I generalized way too much when I referred to “prep school kids.” Of course, everyone is an individual and people cannot be clumped into their socio-economic background in terms of personalities. I have met many students from that background who are very interesting and intelligent people. Most of the kids I’ve met who I don’t really like also come from that background. That doesn’t mean that I don’t like kids because they come from that background. That is entirely false. Honestly I could care less about people’s upbringings. I regret not clarifying that statement in my initial post as I admittedly realize it makes me come off as a prejudice idiot.</p>

<p>Also I have only been at the school several months. My main goal for posting on here was to give light to some of what I feel are the negative aspects of the school; something I had a difficult time finding when I made my choice. It was part experience, part my opinion, and part me playing devil’s advocate. If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t be at Dartmouth. Maybe I’m an exception, maybe I’m too harsh, maybe I’m just an ass hole, and maybe, just maybe, I’m right. The answer is different for every prospective student searching these forums. I told my tale based on a relatively short-lived time here, but I hope that it helps students make a choice they feel is best for them in their college search.</p>

19

<p>BFK: I think it would be helpful if you told us what was the other school that you were considering and why you ending up at Dartmouth rather than the other university? What played a role in your decision? Do you wish that you were now at the other university?</p>

20

<p>Wow.</p>

<p>I’m a '13 and a I truly do love it. Dartmouth, like any other college, has its moments…sometimes I kind of want to a city, sometimes I wish I were closer to my friends…but for 95% of the time, Dartmouth is my home.</p>

<p>Know what you’re getting into…there is a lot more partying, drinking, and fratting than the average college. There is no city. The college can get bro-y at times. But for me, and for most of the people I talk to, they love it.</p>

<p>And hey Mason. I’ll be seeing you in a few days!</p>