<p>Hey guys! I am an international student planning to apply to Dartmouth for the Class of 2018. Although Dartmouth is my first choice I am a bit apprehensive. Could some please tell me how many international students are currently studying at Dartmouth since I would feel uncomfortable in a school where I'd be the only outsider. I also have a few concerns about the greek dominated social life. Can an international student join a frat? More importantly will I have a poor social life if I chose to not join one since a recent article I read about hazing at Dartmouth has inclined me not to join a frat. </p>
<p>You should do an Internet search for the Dartmouth Common Data Set. That is a standard report produced by most schools. Besides a lot of other helpful info, it will give you the details on the student body, including international students, ethnicity, etc.</p>
<p>@alex69 - social life at Dartmouth is heavily Greek focused. Nearly all the parties at the school are at the frat houses. I suggest you review the message board to learn more. If you want to join a frat, you should be able to.</p>
<p>@alex69 – At any college, there are as many different types of experiences as there are smaller communities within the whole. You choose what to be a part of. There are many ways to get information that will be meaningful to you in terms of your potential experience – this applies whether you are looking at Dartmouth or any other school. CC is one resource, but you should reach out to current students at the school from a similar background. Ask what they think. It will be more relevant than comments from someone who never attended Dartmouth, or from someone who heard from someone else who heard from… You get the point, I hope. You mentioned your nationality and religion. Call or email one of the organizations or the college chaplain and ask them to put you in touch with someone who will be able to relate to you and your own background. That will probably give you more relevant insight that will matter to you. Personally, my daughter found that a better way to get a sense of the schools than relying on statements from people who had no “connection” to her own background or by reading links to articles that focused on one aspect of the college experience. And nothing is better than an actual visit, if you can swing it, but I realize that may be difficult given you location.</p>
<p>There are MANY students of Indian background at Dartmouth. Many were born in India, or their parents were. You will not find yourself isolated in that regard. Anyone can join a frat if they wish to. Or you can remain independent. The fraternities differ, and hazing stories like those of Lohse are not common to all of them. (Not to mention the fact that there is nothing stopping a young man from simply refusing to participate in anything he considers demeaning or dangerous.)</p>