dartmouth too perfect?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Dartmouth College
1

<p>this is going to sound like a silly question, but bear with me.</p>

<p>so i really like dartmouth. i love the small group feel of the environmental studies major, the presence of an engineering school at an undergraduate-centered institution, the skiing, the college centered town, the campus feel. </p>

<p>however, i'm worried that it's too perfect. i'm worried that i need to experiment with living in a city (because i know i love rural life), that i need to see what its like to be in a large institution. i've gone to boarding school in new hampshire for the past four years, and loved it, but am worried that spending another four years in somewhat of the same environment, while i would have a lot of fun, wouldn't teach me more about myself. everyone i've talked to says they could see me at dartmouth, but does that mean i wouln't evolve as a person?</p>

<p>does any of this make sense? is college the time to experiment with living in different environments, or is that post college? am i just being silly, and possibly convincing myself out of what could be the best experience of my life?</p>

2

<p>I understand what you mean completely, skyandskea. One of the worries I had when applying to Dartmouth early is that it would end up being like another four years of prep school, when I had been there, done that.</p>

<p>Here's my take on the matter: Dartmouth, according to virtually every person I've ever known associated with it, is a life-changing experience. If you think you could be happy there, regardless of what you think you "should" do, then go. You will move onto a larger institution when you are ready, and shouldn't sacrifice your happiness for obligation.</p>

<p>Also, no matter what your school says, college is by nature different from prep school. This is evident not only in terms of your daily schedule, but freedom, academic breadth, and yes, resources. You will have plenty of chances at Dartmouth to try out something "new" and even work in a large institution, whether taking winter term off to do an internship in New York City (one of the things I ** love ** about the D-plan!), working as a lab assistant at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, or getting a Tucker Foundation Grant to deworm orphans in Somalia.</p>

<p>Finally, think about this: most of the students here on CC are bright, ambitious, and talented. They will become doctors, lawyers, politicians, businessmen, etc. They will move to large cities and undoubtedly be very successful. If you too, can see yourself under this category, then chances are you will never get another chance to be in a rural area having this kind of fun again. After all, what aspiring politician moves to the middle of Maine to pursue a political career? You'll have plenty of time to be in the "big city" after college. If you ask me, most students today are rushing the whole big city process anyway, and while it can seem glamorous and exciting, I will never be able to make friends on a ski trip or going white-water canoeing in New Hampshire.</p>

<p>Come to Dartmouth Dimensions, see how you feel, and then make your decision. We'd love to have you here.</p>

3

<p>Dartmouth isn't just a school...it's a way of life...</p>

<p>:)</p>

4

<p>:)
although i must say that is one of my reservations, but not because i dont want dartmouth to be my way of life. no, its because both my parents are alums (yes, i'm a double legacy) and i'm worried they still love the school so much that they'd visit me every other day. i can just see my mother: 'come on, we're going partying! let's go to the frat that i spent all my time at!'</p>

<p>(it would be interesting, to say the least)</p>

5

<p>Dartmouth is also a state of mind... ;)</p>

6

<p>"Dartmouth isn't just a school...it's a way of life..."</p>

<p>So true, Xanatos.</p>

7

<p>Start with these givens </p>

<p>[ul]
[<em>]Will your parents show up for homecoming? Definitely
[</em>]If your birthday fall during the school year, they probably will pop in to see you . (they will take you and all of your friends out to dinner)
[li]If you play on a team (even intramurals) they will show up to important games</p>[/li]
<p>[/ul]</p>

<p>I think there will be a sense of interdependence when you go off to college (including Dartmouth) where they will balance and give you the space you need and won't cramp your style, while having you know that they will be there if you need them.</p>

8

<p>Said to St. Peter at the Pearly Gates:</p>

<p>"I know, it sounds perfect and all, but if I go there I'll just be surrounded by a whole lot of really wonderful people doing really wonderful things and besides, knowing my parents like I do, I'm guessing they are gonna be there too. I think I need more of a challenge; you know, I want to go somewhere hot and happening!"</p>

<p>St Peter replies:</p>

<p>"Well, I think you're making an eternal mistake, but the BIG GUY did give you free will (unless you are a Calvinist), so if that be your WILL I'll grant what you desire. What do you prefer, the Columbia mode of hell or the Penn rendering?"</p>

9

<p>First, if you do go to Dartmouth, I think Sybbie is right on - your parents will be there more often than if you are 1000 miles away or attending a school that they have no connection to. This may or may not be a bad thing, and you may at some point have to have a conversation with them about personal space - most likely this won't be too big a deal.</p>

<p>I will take a contrarian view about going to Dartmouth. DD is going there because it is far from home/different part of the country. It seems likely that she will come back for med school, so she wanted an opportunity to see another place. Go visit some other schools before you decide, but don't be overly concerned if you come back to Dartmouth.</p>

10

<p>i am an admission officer from dartmout, thank you for sucking up to our school, you people will receive your acceptance in the mail very soon
sincerely
MR. DARTMOUTH GUY
lol</p>

<p>this is a joke, not to be taken seriously
jks</p>

11

<p>One of my friend is a double legacy at Princeton and her parents live in New York City. She thought being a local boarder would be a pain, but it turned out to be awesome. Not only did she get to bring laundry home and enjoy home-made food any weekend she wanted, but they introduced her to a whole bunch of their classmates' children- a few who were pretty cute!</p>

<p>This was all for the price of just a few visits (Homecoming, birthdays) and a few nostalgic stories "I remember when * I * was here..." Besides, since she saw her parents pretty regularly throughout the school year, they let her go on trips with her friends during breaks.</p>

<p>People think living near their parents is rough, but your parents have better things to do than bug you constantly!</p>

12

<p>many thanks to all of you, as reservations about a college you're already into are not the most popular topics at a school where everybody is overly stressed out about the decisions to come... and mentioning that i'm a legacy doesn't help much.
kalidescope, i think thats the best argument for dartmouth i've heard. </p>

<p>and besides, not going to dartmouth would be a waste of all the dartmouth gear i've been given my whole life...</p>

13

<p>great. so we'll see you at Dartmouth :)</p>

14

<p>Owww... your message hit close to home.</p>

<p>See, like you, I knew what I liked beforehand, but it's exactly the opposite as you. I liked cities, big impersonal institutions, indoorsy-type stuff (hate outdoorsy activities), warm weather, etc. But I just decided to go to a small, rural, outdoorsy, cold college (Dartmouth) because it sounded cool and I thought it'd be good to get out of my comfort zone for awhile. I'm not going to go into details on what happened, but it ended up being the worst mistake of my life.</p>

<p>So yes, if it sounds perfect for you, then go to Dartmouth, unless you want to risk being stuck at somewhere you'll regret for four years.</p>

15

<p>dcd, what happened? what didn't you like about dartmouth?</p>

16

<p>dartmouth is perfect.. no worries.. its the best.. i'm in love.. dartmouth is only the greatest school in the whole universe...</p>

<p>and if any of you guys don't think so.. we need to have a little chat... ;)</p>

<p>and...</p>

<p>i<3dartmouth</p>

17

<p>RaspberrySmoothie: Check your pm.</p>