<p>Hi everyone! I am a current student at Dickinson and wondered if anyone had any questions they wanted answers to. Did anyone apply ED?</p>
<p>Hello! I’m applying EA. I’d love to hear about what the people/social atmosphere is like.</p>
<p>Hey Colibri815,</p>
<p>I’m a Freshman at Dickinson College and I can tell you about my experience so far. The social life is pretty average and similar to other small colleges from what I have heard from my other friends at small liberal arts schools. If you’re into the drinking and partying scene, there is a place for you. The frats seem to always have something going on. There is not much drinking or partying that goes on during the weekdays. This is a very academic school, and you’ll find people very focused during the weekdays. Although there are some groups that do partake during the week. On the other hand, there are many things to do for non-drinkers. There is a club, EAB, that plans events such as movies, games, and other activities. Basically, you’ll always have something to do on the weekends no matter what you are into. </p>
<p>For the people, I can say I have made some amazing friends so far. I live in one of the smaller dorms, about 40 people, and my dorm has gotten extremely close. We’re like a family. </p>
<p>If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!</p>
<p>Hi Shap 95 – a Mom newbie here. I have a DD who is a Junior in HS. First child so hunting for colleges is new to me. She had a tough freshman year with a concussion which impacted some grades. 2.89 GPA but then it has been climbing and is more like 3.4-3.5 if you eliminate Freshman year. Are there schools that really do not look at Freshman grades ? Waiting for her PSATs. She wants a LAC school, I think Dickinson really does a great marketing job. But it is so far away and I wonder about the train track bisecting the campus, and if Carlisle has enough ? Is the school liberal ? Is everyone a blonde Katy wearing Abercrombie or are there “granola kids”? It sounds like the Greek system is being removed from campus. Do you head to Hagerstown to the outlets or just hang locally. IS there a van to get to Harrisburg for the weekend ? I hope to get there in Spring. I was able to touch base with some parents who suggest that their daughters are enjoying the school. It sounds like there are lots of NE kids. I wonder how many from the mid atlantic. She wants diversity. What other schools did you consider? Professors have been responsive to my emails. I was impressed. thank you.</p>
<p>The train track is pretty far down campus – I don’t think I crossed it when visiting my D in four years there until graduation weekend, when we had to park and walk to graduation. My D was neither a “blonde Katy” (owns no Abercrombie!) nor a granola eater (I mean, she WOULD eat granola, as she is not picky, but you know what I mean :)). She is a solid, bright, Midwestern kid who settled right in, made friends, and enjoyed her time at Dickinson while getting a very good education. And a great job afterwards, where she was promoted after less than a year, and now is being considered for a second promotion.</p>
<p>There are quite a few international students, which adds to the diversity a lot (I think my D rented a summer storage locker with a few girls from China her freshman year). And she had several friends from other countries. Regarding liberal, almost all LACs are pretty liberal. Dickinson is by no means the most liberal around, but like almost every LAC, esp. those in the northern states, it leans somewhat left.</p>
<p>She did go to Harrisburg sometimes to go the mall or out to dinner or to shop with friends. She didn’t have a car, but several friends did, and they would sometimes make trips there. I would not say they went every week, maybe a couple of times a month. The school ran shuttles to the Harrisburg airport at break time, too.</p>
<p>You should definitely go visit. It was sort of a safety for my D that we decided to squeeze in on another trip to the area, but she really liked the feel of campus.</p>
<p>Other colleges somewhat like Dickinson – if you are specifically looking for conservative, you might look at Rhodes or St. Olaf. Other liberal arts colleges along the same lines – Kenyon (maybe slightly more selective, especially for girls), Hamilton (also more selective), Macalester (going to lean more liberal, but a great school with diversity and right in St. Paul), or Mt. Holyoke (get your D to visit even if she says no to women’s colleges at first, this one changed both of my D’s minds, lovely campus and pretty serious academics).</p>
<p>Be sure your school guidance counselor tells the colleges about her concussions in the GC recommendation, they should take it into account in admissions.</p>
<p>I don’t think the train track is an issue - it is off on the edge of campus, and I’ve never seen an actual train on it, so they must not run very often. My daughter is a freshman at Dickinson. She actually does have to cross the track to get to one of her classroom buildings, but I don’t think it bothers her at all. Carlisle is a very cute town, and very accessible to campus, but it is small. I don’t think she has ever gone to Harrisburg yet, but she is very involved in activities so doesn’t really have the time. Plus, as a freshman, Carlisle is still new to her.</p>
<p>Most colleges do a lot during orientation to get students from the freshman dorm floors together with activities, and for my daughter that has worked out well, and she very quickly made friends with other students from her dorm. She has found the school to be very socially welcoming, and in addition to friends from her dorm has made friends from the many activities she participates in. (And seems especially close to those where she has 2 connections out of 3 from dorm, activities, and classes.) My concern as a parent is that she has gotten involved in too many activities, and sounds too busy whenever I talk to her, and I’m a little nervous how her grades will be this first semester. </p>
<p>Her experience regarding where students are from has been that a large percentage are from PA and neighboring states, especially NJ, MD, NY, and OH. A surprisingly large number from CA, and smaller numbers of international students and from a lot of other states. The ethnic diversity is better than at most of the other LACs she looked at, but still not overly diverse. </p>
<p>One thing I’ve noticed from talking to her is that since the school draws nationally (and internationally) and isn’t very big, pretty much everyone comes to the school not knowing anyone else. So at first, everyone is in the same boat, and is eager to make new friends. This is a contrast to some state U’s where high school friends tend to hang out together. </p>
<p>When my daughter was making a decision of which school to attend, I spoke to the Mom of a recent graduate, to whom I had a remote friend-of-a-friend connection. I asked what type of student would fit in and not fit in at Dickinson. She replied that she couldn’t think of any type of student who wouldn’t fit in at Dickinson - that there were many different, fluid sub-cultures, so pretty much everyone could find “their people”.</p>
<p>Hey Skyhawk123,</p>
<p>Sorry for the late response, I’ve been pretty busy. I had a similar experience with my sophomore year grades. Just make sure to explain in her application and her interview why her grades were lower than she can usually perform her freshman year. It is not true that they do not “ignore” freshman year grades, but they do not count as much as sophomore, junior, and senior year grades. Colleges understand freshman year is a tough adjustment year for many, and therefor those grades are not weighted as heavily in their eyes. And with a good explanation, aka her concussion, and with that upward swing, it will not impact her as much as you may fear. </p>
<p>The train track doesn’t bisect the campus. It is towards the outskirts of the campus, and does not disrupt life at all. </p>
<p>As for Carlisle, it is a small town reminiscent of my own hometown. There are a LOT of different restaurants and quaint shops. My friends and I just had tea in a tea parlor and it was such an interesting experience. There is also a movie theatre, which the Safety Shuttle will bring you to, as well as a Walmart that it will bring you to. </p>
<p>The school is as liberal as any liberal arts college, but there is a college republicans group which, from my understanding, has a large following.</p>
<p>There is a mix of people here. There are a LOT of rich, prep school kids, don’t get me wrong. But, there are also a number of people I know receiving a lot of financial aid. There are also a lot of people who are extremely environmentally conscious here, which is what I am guessing you are referring to by “granola kids.” Then there are people like me, comfortable in jeans and a tshirt to go to class.</p>
<p>The Greek system isn’t being removed. In fact, it is trying to grow. That being said, there is not a huge impact on social life from Greek life. Yeah, if you want to go to a party you go to Greek row usually. BUT, you do not have to join to go and not a ton of people I know join. </p>
<p>Not sure what Hagerstown is, but as for Harrisburg I have been a number of times. For ten dollars there is a shuttle all semester that takes you to Harrisburg and makes a number of stops by the train station, mall, barnes and nobles, and restaurant district just to name a few. It runs on Fridays and Sundays. </p>
<p>A lot of kids do come from the NE here, but there is also a surprisingly large number from the south, I have a few friends from Texas and Tennessee and Kentucky, as well as friends from the WC.</p>
<p>I am a rare case, as I applied 20 other schools besides Dickinson. Wasn’t quite sure what I wanted, but I applied to a lot of other small LC (Lafayette, Muhlenburg, Franklin and Marshall, Ursinus) as well as some larger universities and state schools.</p>
<p>Hope this helped!</p>
<p>My D just applied EA to Dickinson. Did anyone else apply EA? Does anyone know when decisions for EA are sent?</p>
<p>Hey cats4u,</p>
<p>Early Action decisions are sent within the first two weeks of February. The EA deadline was pushed back this year to accommodate for students dealing with issues with the new Common App, but I don’t think this will affect the timing of decisions as the deadline was only pushed back 8 days.</p>
<p>Hi! I am an international student applying for early decision to the class of 2018! I would like to know when the notification letter will be released, I emailed the admission officer and they said there was no specific day of releasing the result, it will be around the mid December. I love Dickinson and feel a bit anxious while waiting, thanks!</p>
<p>The Dickinson Admissions twitter says they will go out late on Monday, Dec 16. Good luck.
<a href=“https://twitter.com/DickinsonAdmit[/url]”>https://twitter.com/DickinsonAdmit</a></p>
<p>Thank you sacchi! I am getting crazy these days> < all the best for your school work!</p>
<p>Just got a rejection letter from dickinson. i am quite sad cos i thought i have a high chance of getting in. highest combined sat score(cr 590,math780,writing630)，single sitting （580+780+600),any suggestions for ed2?</p>
<p>Are you saying you want to apply to Dickinson again through ED2? Or are you looking for suggestions of other schools to apply to ED2?</p>
<p>I have a question! I applied to Dickinson EA, and visited campus due to a recruiting visit. However, I did not have time to interview. How much will this affect my chances of admission and financial aid??</p>
<p>I think one of the key advantages that an interview gives is demonstrating applicant interest. Given that you are being recruited for a sport and applying EA, I don’t think it would matter much.</p>
<p>My daughter didn’t interview during her visit, applied EA and was accepted (and is now a freshman at Dickinson).</p>
<p>Ok that makes me feel a bit better. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Hi, I applied early action this year! Anyone know when the decisions are coming out? Very anxious!!</p>
<p>Website says ‘early February’. Haven’t heard anything more than that. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you!!</p>
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