Homogeneity at Dartmouth?

I know the entire premise of this question (as well as the question) is absurd, but I still have to ask because it’s in the back of my mind. I love everything about Dartmouth, but there is this one dark thought that just keeps coming back. I am somewhat anxious and tend to overthink things.

I am attending Dartmouth next year, but due to various reasons can’t go to the Dimensions events. I visited once before and know this is the school for me, largely because of the academic strength in what I want to study. But I’m still left with a question mark on what the students that I’ll meet are like.

Do you feel like there is a homogeneity in Dartmouth students? I have a stereotype in my mind of white male athletes, who although are very bright, are not very “intellectual” (my hubris). I suppose that “intellectual” would refer to someone who learns for the sake of learning. Someone who has a passion for the humanities or other subjects and is able to compellingly analyze various issues. In other words, a critical thinker. When I visited a year ago, the class I shadowed left me a little disappointed.

The professor was amazing and the class size was small. But there were two non whites and most everyone seemed to be involved in athletics. There is nothing wrong with athletics (I myself am joining varsity football haha…), but I just felt like the students weren’t saying anything particularly… creative or intelligent. I’m sure that it is all dependent on which class etc. But still…

This is corroborated by various things i’ve seen online (debate a Harvard student, get a beer with a Dartmouth student). Also, the fact that so many Dartmouth students go into finance/consulting, as opposed to more creative or open professions.

Do you feel like the classroom discussions are at a high level? Compared to other Ivy institutions? Have you learned as much from your peers as your professors? Do you think Dartmouth students, in addition to being outdoors-centric and affable, are intellectually minded? For example, do a lot of people read for fun? I’m not envisioning some utopia where people just discuss Plato all day. That sounds terrible. I am asking for whether or not the people you meet are interesting and critically minded.

I will preempt a comment - I’m sure that there is a “niche” for whatever person I am talking about. I am speaking more about the general people I will interact with day to day.

If you find this post arrogant or pretentious, please excuse me. I know every person is unique, individual, genuine, etc. I am only wondering how those positive qualities are shown. In acknowledging my blind spots, I must say that I am from a predominately non-white community and have had little exposure to “bro” culture whatever that may be.

Simple answer: No. You are extrapolating from a very small sample that has nothing to with “the general people [you] will interact with day to day.” I will forward this to D 13 but I know what the response will be. Relax. You are going to a great school.

Dartmouth tends to attract very active, well rounded people who likely have serious areas of interest that they’ll delve into later. Having broad interests and a pension for socialization coupled with a more laid back culture than some of our peer institutions means that a superficial survey of campus might not display the extreme amount of intellectual activity always going on at the College.

Make no mistake, however: you will be surrounded by peers who will be so nonchalantly accomplished in, knowledgable of, and passionate about such a breadth of subjects it will come as a bit of a shock at first.

Intellectually, the conversations you will have at Dartmouth will be just as if not more stimulating than ones you would have elsewhere, simply because of the intimacy of campus and aforementioned multi-faceted skill set of your peers. A solid portion of campus is in fact involved in varsity, club, or intramural sports, however that is almost never where their involvements and interests stop. The College is also far more diverse ethnically than you would think, with highly active Native, Asian, Hispanic, and African American cultural communities. Dartmouth prides itself on its commitment to its LGBTQIA+ students as well.

You’re going to be fine, this campus has a place for everybody and is off limits to no one. Welcome home!