<p>Just wondering as I am starting the search for my younger son:</p>
<p>1) Are non-drinkers/non-party types (who are very accepting of others' choices) accepted?</p>
<p>2) What percentage of classes are taught by TAs?</p>
<p>3) How approachable/helpful are professors?</p>
<p>1) Are non-drinkers/non-party types (who are very accepting of others’ choices) accepted? Yes. there is plenty to do for non drinkers</p>
<p>2) What percentage of classes are taught by TAs?
All classes are taught by professors. There are TA’s in the science labs (Dartmouth is ranked #1 in undergraduate teaching)</p>
<p>3) How approachable/helpful are professors?</p>
<p>It has been my daughter’s experience that every professor that she has had has been very approachable. I remember that she took an ENGS3 course during sophomore summer. 300 students signed up for the class. The professor opened up additional sections to accommodate the increased class size. He broke the sections down into groups just so he could have dinner with his students to get to know them better.</p>
<p>1) Absolutely. As long as your son is going to be comfortable in an atmosphere in which others drink, he’ll be fine. There is also plenty for non drinkers to do, and while the greek system certainly involves alcohol, I know non drinkers in fraternities and sororities.</p>
<p>2.) None. TA’s will lead labs, hold office hours to help with problem sets in large classes, and help the professor with grading. Sometimes they’ll also lead review sessions and stuff like that. I had a TA teach a class meeting, once, when the prof was sick and wanted to make sure we had the material covered before the lab that would deal with that topic. So out of my time here (I’m a 12, so a senior), I have had 50 minutes taught by a TA. </p>
<p>3) Professors are incredibly helpful and approachable. Every professor I’ve had has known my name. Professors I had several terms ago will still stop, say hello, and ask about my studies if I run into them on campus. Every professor has set office hours for a class, but they’re always open to arranging another time. Especially around exams, most of my professors have been really good about being available on blitz and in their office even more than usual, because they know students will have questions.</p>
<p>Some of the lower-level math classes are taught by graduate students, but in these cases there’s almost always a section available taught by a professor.</p>