<p>Was on a 3 college rising Senior swing of Williams, Middlebury and Dartmouth. Had high hopes for Dartmouth as it is a smaller Ivy with great undergrad teaching. Unfortunately, almost no discussion of social climate given recent articles on possibility of abolishing frats etc. It was almost like they wanted to avoid the topic rather than to address it with both pros and cons. Until they are more forthcoming on this issue and future of large Greek system, Dartmouth is off the list. </p>
<p>Was at info session last week. No mention of recent Greek issues.</p>
<p>If this is such a major concern, why did you not ask about it? </p>
<p>@AboutTheSame, my first thought exactly.</p>
<p>You say there was “almost no” discussion, which would imply that there was some. How much would be enough? Did you ask questions that were not answered?</p>
<p>I see your D likes Brown. How much of the info session at Brown was devoted to their latest sexual assault brouhaha? </p>
<p>I don’t know exactly what you expect them to say. Obviously, the community has been examining itself in recent years and certain programs and policies have been initiated, apparently successfully. More change may well be underway. There doesn’t seem to be any sign that D is planning to undertake a dismantling of the Greek system, which would indeed be something to discuss in an info session, just as the attempt to set up house systems at Williams and Princeton were discussed when we visited there, years ago.</p>
<p>Obviously, you did not read the 8/13 Huffington Post article about the recent University initiated debate among faculty, alum and students about how to overhaul the social scene at Dartmouth.</p>
<p>Let me be clear - no discussion at info session on this subject by Dir of Admissions. It is not just the sex assault issue, but major problem with Greek hazing , among others given predominance of Greek system at Dartmouth.</p>
<p>When asked , Student tour leader simply said she was not Greek so had no info, which seemed more like a canned response than a thoughtful answer from an otherwise sharp Dartmouth undergrad. I am sure the University is addressing the issue the best they can,but with it making national headlines lately, I expected them to be forthright and upfront about the issue and their response for prospective students and parents. This would give them more credibility , IMHO.</p>
<p>I had the opposite reaction to our tour. I felt that the students were on point and unified in their responses about culture. While some may see this as “canned”, I saw it as a concerted effort to attract students who would be positive campus influences, and also an attempt to get moving in a positive direction.</p>
<p>I was a little wary about Dartmouth before visiting, as I have a daughter, but we loved it. I think that every school has its issues, and you certainly have to make your own judgements, but I found other top schools to be far more problematic in their approach to issues of sexual violence and alcohol.</p>
<p>IIion62: I tend not to pay much attention to Huffington Post or Fox News or their ilk. I do, however, pay close attention to source documents and reputable media and am not unaware of what is being discussed. Okay? Having gotten that out of the way. it’s not clear to me what you asked. If you asked about what the Greek experience is like, you may have gotten an honest answer from your [unaffiliated] tour guide. If you asked about the influence of Greek life, I can understand your disappointment. If you did not ask the Director of Admissions about something that obviously concerns you, I suggest you follow up by email. I have to question making a college decision based on what you heard or did not hear from a student tour leader. </p>
<p>If you are in Hanover, and you think that you are not getting forthright and upfront information from your tour guide, ask 10 students wandering the campus for their input. 8 of 10 will likely not be limited by an appointment where they will share their opinion. Source primary data to make your decision. The beauty of Dartmouth is that students are on campus year round.</p>
<p>You can read about what is going on at Dartmouth vis-a-vis Greek organizations, drinking, pledge terms and so forth here:</p>
<p><a href=“Valley News - Hanover — Reform is brewing at Dartmouth College, where senior administrators met with Greek leaders earlier this week to weigh”>http://www.vnews.com/search/13626952-95/dartmouth-wants-students-help-in-reforming-greek-life</a></p>
<p>I think it’s next to impossible to abolish frats. Half of Wall Street counts itself as an alum! I don’t really think that the administration has the stugots to do such a thing. My advice is not to worry and apply here, and let the chips fall because more often than not, they ALWAYS fall in our favor. </p>