dartmouth/brown for transfer, assorted random q's

Colleges and Universities A-Z Dartmouth College
1

<p>so slipper, you got me intrigued (tried to PM you but your box dealio was full)! but i feel bad posting a ton of q’s about dartmouth on the brown board, so i figure i’ll pick your brain if you’ll let me- or anyone else’s who goes to dart too!</p>

<li>how is the attitude of the students at dartmouth? i looked very seriously at williams, which i’d imagine is similar in a lot of ways to dartmouth, but ultimately ruled it out because of a snobby sort of new england vibe i got (no offense, i’m from the south! :slight_smile: ). at william and mary, my former school, kids tended to fall in extremes - premeds who had no lives, or hardcore greeks. i visited brown, and the students were very friendly and seemed like they were well rounded and had their heads on straight. are dart kids like that as well?</li>
</ol>

<p>2.what initially attracted me to brown was that they encourage their students to take time off school, which is what i am doing now (teaching english in thailand, journalism internship in NZ…a tardy gap year of sorts). would dartmouth like that sort of thing? i had a 3.7 at w&m which is good but not stellar…so i have to think practically. do you think i’d have a chance?</p>

<li><p>did you go greek personally? is there a “go greek or don’t go out” sort of stigma? did you ever feel “stuck” in the town or the social scene?</p></li>
<li><p>how cold is it…really? </p></li>
</ol>

<p>i’d really appreciate any help; from what ive read so far dartmouth sounds suspiciously like a second chance…but we’ll see! ;)</p>

2

<p>Hey vapour,</p>

<p>I cant figure out how to delete my PM box! </p>

<p>As for your questions, 1) Dartmouth really is incredibly laid back. People don't act overly snooty and I would say many are very well rounded. The greek scene is nothing like at a Southern school, the houses are mostly local and much more casual. there are no invte lists, etc and everyone in incredibly welcoming. Its much closer to Brown than WM. The one caveat is a few "jock" houses tend to dominate the social scene, but the truth is there are many many houses with all types of people. Overall Dartmouth students are a pretty friendly bunch.</p>

<p>2) Dartmouth is awesome for taking time off/ doing research/ study abroad. My best friend transferred as a junior but graduated in three years, spending time on a study abroad program in France, getting a grant to work in Africa. He then spent most of his senior year on his thesis, he now goes to Cornell Med school.</p>

<p>3) I found the greek scene to be pretty awesome since its nothing like the greek scene other places. And there are plently of off campus parties for people who arent in the scene. Many many people arent greek but go to the parties. </p>

<ol>
<li>Its cold, but no more so than most of the east coast. And we compensate with our own ski slope, a beautiful skating pond, winter carnival, etc. Dartmouth embraces the winter.</li>
</ol>

<p>The worst thing about Dartmouth is the town. Brown's Thayer street is much more student oriented, Hanover seems like its built for 60 yr olds. But I never really found it to be too much of an issue, I was always having such a great time on campus.</p>

3

<p>hey, i go to dmouth too and i agree with slipper..</p>

<p>1) Dartmouth really IS incredibly laid back. That was one thing that was very attractive about the school. When I visited, I found everyone to be super nice and helpful with everything and anything. I definitely understand what you mean about the snobby new england vibe at Williams. When I looked at Williams - and a lot of other schools - I felt the same way (I'm from NYC and was not used to it either). That is not to say NONE of such people exist at Dmouth - of course there are a few, as there are at any ivy. But, I've met some of the most amazing people in the world here, and you will too!</p>

<p>2) Dartmouth is very pro-active about getting her students out in the world and exploring. I think the reason why Dmouth was my first choice when I applied was because of the variety of off-campus programs. I personally have been on several programs (Spanish Language Study Abroad in Barcelona, Geography Foreign Study Program in Prague, and a transfer program with Williams-Mystic), and many of my friends have too. The trimester program makes it easy to do that as well. You should check out the off-campus programs website and transfer programs - there really are a lot! If there are any programs in particular that you want to know more, students will always be willing to discuss their experiences with you. </p>

<p>In terms of research, Dmouth is absolutely amazing, mainly because profs are so focused on undergrads. Profs are very supportive about discussing and expanding research topics. Furthermore, Dmouth has a lot of resources and funds if you need money or support to work on something. </p>

<p>3) I did go greek personally, which is interesting because when I first came to Dmouth, it was the furthest thing from my mind. I don't think there is a "go greek or don't go out" stigma at all. It's whatever is right for you. I know a lot of people who love the houses they are in..But, many of my friends are not greek and probably won't be any time soon, because they don't feel it's right for them. Slipper is right - there are definitely plenty of off campus parties and other activities to do if you're not into the greek scene. </p>

<p>4) Not gonna lie, Dmouth winters are freezing, but like slipper said - really no more so than much of new england. Plus, Dmouth winters are BEAUTIFUL. sooo beautiful. really postcard-like - my friends and i have taken so many photos of the scenery - it's absolutely gorgeous. You really do get to go out and play in the snow a lot. I got into xc skiing, snowshoeing, and skating - all of which I probably would have never done had I stayed in NYC. </p>

<p>I'm graduating soon, and really am sad to go. Dmouth has been a great place - I've met some of the most intelligent people in the world here and found some great opportunities to travel. </p>

<p>Vapour, have you visited the campus at all? You never mentioned if you did or not. If you haven't, I think you should. Visiting the campus definitely sold me on Dmouth. </p>

<p>Good luck with your decision! =)</p>

4

<p>slipper, one800, thanks so much! i'm pretty impressed how enthusiastic y'all are about your school with very little prodding necessary! anyone else from dartmouth want to concur? </p>

<p>one800, yes I have checked out the study abroad on dartmouth's website! this abroad stuff is way important to me too - that's why i'm gallivanting around the world for the next year, haha. i loved how some programs had 15 dartmouth students in it together, so it's not exactly like leaving for a semester. standouts for me (since i would be an english or comp lit major) were the dublin, glasgow and french language programs. anyone on this board been to any? they sound super cool. oh yeah, and does anyone know about the strength of those two academic depts?</p>

<p>nice to hear about the profs and plentiful resources too - WM was pretty underfunded.... yeah, so I took a look at dartmouth's housing.... a 2 room double with a fireplace sounds pretty nice.</p>

<p>i'm glad to hear the positive reviews of the students...i think i might be able to deal with the greek thing if they aren't cliquish about it. you're right though, I do need to visit. luckily i have some relatives in the area so staying there shouldn't be a problem. hmm...it looks like i'd either have to go before the summer session ends in a few weeks or right when winter term starts. if i visit are there any insiders' tips of where to go?</p>