<p>Darmouth is a school that seems to be adulated by everyone in this forum, a utopia to a certain extent; but yet, I'm oblivious, I know nothing. Honestly, the school seems to have a certain livelihood--vitality if you would. I'm intrigued and want to know more. So, on to the title of the post. In a nutshell, I'm asking if someone, better yet everyone, could "pitch" Dartmouth more or less. The pitch basically should include a reason for selecting such a school; this can include academics and social events, I'm all ears. You're the salesmen, sell me Dartmouth.</p>
<p>I'm assuming you haven't started the college application/selection process yet? Anyway, here's my opinion.</p>
<p>When I applied to Dartmouth, it was literally only because my father said, "Dartmouth's a good school. Apply there." And I thought, "Oh, what the hey. They take the common app, so it won't be any trouble for me." At this point, I did not know where the college was, that it was part of the Ivy League, what its size was, what its credentials were...basically I knew nothing. I didn't think I would ever end up there.</p>
<p>Then the mailings started. Brochures, pamphlets, invitations to alumni events. I went to the Dartmouth alumni Christmas party in Winter Park where I live, just to get an idea of the place. I was still rather lukewarm about Dartmouth, not knowing too much more about it except that now, I knew it was way up north somewhere freezing cold. (The picture in my mind at this point was of an arctic desert with a campus in the middle.) I met some really fascinating people at the luncheon, including one computer science enthusiast who was also a beer pong champion; more encouraging was the Dartmouth senior who had become fluent in German during his time at the college and had rented an apartment in Berlin. I was starting to think that maybe I could go here, except for the vibe that most students were quite fond of beer.</p>
<p>My interviewer really got me enthusiastic -- Dr. Ivan Castro, a native speaker of Spanish who had studied Spanish literature at Dartmouth and had nothing but good things to say about it. When he interviewed me, he gushed about how the scenery was beautiful, there was always something to do outdoors (be it skiing, swimming, or running), and the professors were excellent. At this point, I began to consider Dartmouth as a real option to me -- provided that Harvard didn't live up to my expectations, of course.</p>
<p>Decision time -- I was rejected by Harvard, but accepted by several other colleges, including Dartmouth. I got that adrenaline rush that comes from feeling important and successful when one reads, "Congratulations! We think you're special and want you at our prestigious college." (Well, not quite those words, but you get the idea.) It was time to visit campus to make my final decision.</p>
<p>The instant that I set foot on the vast green lawn of Dartmouth College, I felt a sort of energy in the air like the instant before lightning strikes. It was intoxicating, exciting -- and nothing like I'd imagined. Hanover, New Hampshire, in the eyes of a Floridian, conjures images of barrenness, desertion, a ghost town in the middle of nowhere. But the town itself is charming and vibrant -- the college more than makes up for the lack of a big city. (And the crime rate is correspondingly -- and reassuringly -- low.) My first night in Hanover, I saw Midori, the world-famous violinist, on campus. The cultural activity at Dartmouth is amazing. Besides which, everyone there is almost unbearably friendly. For example: I did not have tickets to see Midori with my father. We found a man there who was selling his extra ticket. Not only did he sell it to us at a reduced price, he also gave us Midori's CD in case one of us didn't get another ticket to see her live. My dad and I were complete strangers, yet we were received as though we were old friends. Then, when we both had tickets and sat down in the theater, the elderly man next to me struck up an excited conversation upon learning that I was considering coming to Dartmouth. He and his wife, he said, had retired to Hanover instead of Florida because they find it so beautiful. I have never met friendlier people than those I encountered at Dartmouth.</p>
<p>When I left campus, I was already homesick for it. There is a feeling of oneness at Dartmouth -- as though by being a student there, you belong to a very close-knit club. There is amazing camaraderie between the students and the residents of Hanover. I was completely sold.</p>
<p>If you're still not convinced that Hanover is a big enough town, consider this: people in Vermont drive to Dartmouth for the cultural activities, and Harvard students are known to make the drive from Boston on weekends. Why? The social scene at Dartmouth is so much better.</p>
<p>Look at me -- gushing like this, and I have only been an official Dartmouth girl for a few weeks now. It is truly a wonderful place -- I have not yet met an alumnus of the college who regretted going there.</p>
<p>This may be of interest to you as well: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dartmouth_college%5B/url%5D">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dartmouth_college</a></p>
<p>It is a wonderful informative article that will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the past and present of Dartmouth College.</p>
<p>Best of luck! I hope I've been helpful.</p>