Official Dartmouth RDers 2014 thread!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Dartmouth College
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<p>Hey, everyone! I know it's rather early to start this, but I figured it's never too soon to get to know my fellow RDers. Dartmouth is my favorite school and I've become super psyched over applying. Obviously, I'd like to get to know the people who I could hopefully go to school with and in turn make the four month wait pass a lot faster. Go Big Green!</p>

<p>Anyway, I'll start by introducing myself. As anyone can tell from my username, I'm a big Weezer fan (Rivers Cuomo forever, haha <3). I'm a guy, and I swim and run CC and track; as far as these sports go though, my passion has always been running. I don't know if anyone is as into high school CC as I am, but big win by Verzbicas last weekend. Woohoo!
I play tennis casually and would love to get involved in some kind of martial arts in college.</p>

<p>I'm sort of a dork, but I'm more than willing to admit it. Math and physics are my favorite subjects. I'm a big frequenter of projecteuler.net. I love a good problem and I like to do crosswords too. My music of choice is classic rock, usually, but I also am a huge fan of Debussy, Chopin, etc. I play the piano and the trumpet but if I had to pick one, I'd totally go with the piano. (My sentences aren't always this choppy... promise!)</p>

<p>I'm kind of a quirky person. My friend and I once made sock puppets in chemistry to make class more interesting. Cereal is good at any time of day - night, morning, whenever. I come from the east coast and although I'd never admit it to anyone, I sort of like the cold and snow. I hate being told that I can't accomplish something. </p>

<p>Anyway, there you go... a few things you might have wanted to know about me and a whole lot of things you probably didn't!</p>

<p>Go ahead, fellow RD'ers... introduce yourselves! We'll all get to know each other. :) Once we do that, we can talk about just about anything. I've seen a lot of CC threads go wayyyyy off track. Anyone's winter break coming up, by the way?</p>

<p>Most importantly, good luck to all applying!</p>

<p>PS: Sorry again if I made this too early or if someone else called dibs on it... I searched the forum and I didn't see any indication that anyone had so I went with it.</p>

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<p>I feel glad im not the only one already thinking about late spring when the decisions come out -even though they probably haven’t looked at my app yet :)</p>

<p>i’m a total nerd who loves english, math, and science. i want to double major in english/writing and environmental sciences i think. maybe some engineering thrown in there somewhere?
i’m worried because i don’t have any hooks or anything but im praying dartmouth will accept me. ERGH. i wish i applied ED.</p>

<p>uhm… i play tennis and am pres of MuAlphaTheta and a bunch of other stuff. and i love acting. the end.
:)</p>

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<p>Haha, you’re definitely not alone - I pretty much haven’t stopped thinking about it since applying. Nice to meet you, augustagurrl.</p>

<p>I too wish I had applied ED to Dartmouth… it took me a while, but sadly, it is only now, well after the ED deadline, that I am positive that it’s the place I want to be. Oh well, that’s how life works sometimes.</p>

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<p>Yay! I’m so glad you made this! Although March seems sooo far away, I’m sure that after the winter break the second semester will go by quickly. </p>

<p>I’m in the IB Program at school and love science and math. I hope to major in biochemistry at Dartmouth.</p>

<p>And… tennis is awesome! :D</p>

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<p>I want to wish you all good luck in Regular Decision. I love Dartmouth and I can’t wait to see you guys come next year!</p>

<ul>
<li>From a Dartmouth '14 ED Admit</li>
</ul>

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<p>Thanks for the kind words, Revenge! I very much hope we’ll get to meet you.</p>

<p>Totally, pcpingpong. Our break begins in two days, and it couldn’t come soon enough. It goes into the beginning of January which hopefully will give me enough momentum to make it through coursework until March. How long does yours last?</p>

<p>Also, tennis is VERY awesome. I played on our team freshman year but switched over to track sophomore year because I was better at it and the team was a better fit for me. I still love tennis though, and play a lot over the summer when I have the chance. Any favorite pro players?</p>

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<p>I’m so glad this page exists to keep me from doing my homework (kidding…sort of). I would have applied ED, but my parents didn’t know enough about it to let me. I was actually born in England, so we’re entirely new to the application process- it’s pretty scary when your parents are just as clueless as you are! A few of my good friends have trickled into Dartmouth over the past few years, and I’ve gone up to visit a few times. </p>

<p>Weezer, we have something in common! We’re both guys on the East Coast! I’m a Maryland kid- how about you? I’m actually more a music/theater kid, but I’ve done my fair share of running and biking. Actually, I only found this thread because my a cappella group is doing a combined concert with the Dartmouth Dodecs tomorrow (SCORE), and I was looking for more information on a cappella at the college</p>

<p>Aside from music, my favorite subjects are biology and physics, although my SAT says I’m better at writing (of course it knows best…fail). I like a lot of music- everything from showtunes to metal to classic rock. I mostly sing, but I’ve fiddled around on guitar, piano and saxophone for a while too, although the last three aren’t exactly pleasant to hear. </p>

<p>My one regret through all of high school is not working hard Freshman and Sophomore year; I really hope that on April 1st, I won’t be kicking myself for those B’s. Other than that, I’m pretty carefree. I sing a lot, not just in the shower. I’m pretty good at doing foreign accents, and I stick poster clippings on my wall in my free time. I’m also ridiculously organized. </p>

<p>I also play tennis and ping pong! I’m looking forward to getting to know you all, and hopefully we’ll all be running round the '14 bonfire next fall! </p>

<p>GOOD LUCK! (I’m also really new to this site, so I’m still getting used to all this “PM” slang!)</p>

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<p>tsonga’s my favorite player.</p>

<p>yale scea didn’t work out so well for me…so here i am haha i also play tennis and i’m big on writing and stuff. i’d probably major in poli sci if accepted</p>

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<p>Hmm, lots of tennis players here. I knew I would like you guys! ;)</p>

<p>I’m from Ohio, greyoranges, and more specifically, the bitter cold parts. Ironically enough, this was one of the things that really cemented my love for Dartmouth. My dad and I visited at the tail end of winter/beginning of “spring” and even though it was freezing and gray, I still thought the campus was beautiful. </p>

<p>Music and theater are both awesome too! I have a wonderful friend who was recently accepted to Yale, and we both love good a cappella groups (coincidentally, the same friend who I made sock puppets with in chemistry!) During dry land exercises at swimming, we sing to make the brutal practices more bearable. What kind of shows are you involved in?</p>

<p>I imagine that Dartmouth, like most colleges, look not necessarily at whether you had perfect grades at the outset of high school, but more at a steady, upward progression of better and better grades, so I think you’ll fare just fine. You sound like a very interesting person (all who have posted so far in this thread do!), so I think Dartmouth will have a more keen eye to that than simple numbers as well. </p>

<p>And, fishface, all are welcome here… I’m sorry to hear that your Yale aspirations didn’t work out, but on the bright side, you’re now a part of the ever-growing family of Dartmouth hopefuls. :)</p>

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<p>Ah yes. Honestly, Weezer, Dartmouth’s location is my one of my favorite things about the school. I’ve had good luck with weather both times I visited (early April and August). The first time, I was getting on a bus to go back to Boston, and it started to rain. Poetic, no? </p>

<p>I just love the green-it’s so pretty. I actually have a picture of it as my desktop. </p>

<p>I’m really into all kinds of singing. I’ve done a ton of musicals in my time, and it’s always fun, no matter what part I get. Then, there’s a cappella, which is kinda my creation (I started the group), so I have a lot more invested in it. It’s a lot of fun, but from a managerial point of view, I learned how hard it is to keep people motivated =P. I was also in a band in most of high school, although it changed names multiple times and never really went anywhere. I think we got a little too into our one cover (Breaking the Law by Judas Priest) that it ended up being the only thing we ever played. </p>

<p>Thanks for your confidence, too! =] I always have such a bipolar feeling about my chances. Some days, I’m all ready to give up, and then others, I feel good about my shot. It’s weird. Does anyone else have that moment right before they fall asleep that they just picture Baker Tower and feel really happy? </p>

<p>I’m so so so happy this thread exists though!</p>

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<p>Ahhh, that’s fortunate. I hope to see it in good weather at some point seeing as I was so impressed by it in less than stellar weather. The green really is gorgeous, although I suppose I’m biased because green is my favorite color. It’s meant to be, I tell ya! :)</p>

<p>That sounds very cool. Your musical range sounds very diverse, and in a great way. Judas Priest falls under that 60’s-90’s rock that I so adore. I’ve never really been involved in theater but I did something in elementary school/middle school called Destination Imagination which was a lovely combination of engineering and improv/acting. It really was great fun and I do regret a bit not getting involved more with my theatrical side in high school.</p>

<p>Of course! I think most people, myself included, wrestle with the whole bipolar confidence duality thing; one the one hand, it’s hard not to be proud of all you’ve worked for and your myriad of accomplishments, but on the other hand, it is prudent not to take anything for granted and expect only good news. Right now, I’m more on the side of the spectrum that’s confident in the virtue of my application but nevertheless nervous given how many other amazing people are applying. Some days it swings more onto the side of “Oh gosh, why didn’t I do better on this or get more involved in that,” but that feeling generally subsides after a few days and in the end, all that matters is decision day in April. Heck, if any of us are so lucky/fortunate, perhaps we’ll get a pleasant surprise in late February!</p>

<p>I was very eager to make this thread mostly because I’ve as of late become so infatuated with Dartmouth, I couldn’t help but want to spread enthusiasm/get involved with people as excited as me. Fortunately, you all are awesome and there’s no shortage of cool people to make the wait to April shorter.</p>

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<p>Amen to that! </p>

<p>I’m going to go to bed like a good boy, because I have to wake up at 5:00 to do a chem lab (oh Big Green, the things I do for you). </p>

<p>Night all, and have sweet (green) dreams!</p>

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<p>Ah well. Its what comes of being a white kid from New York who hasn’t invented something or won some major award. I haven’t actually visited Dartmouth yet. I’m not sure if I’d want to visit now, mainly because of the temperature. Any suggestions otherwise?</p>

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<p>Sleep well, greyoranges!</p>

<p>Suggestions, fishface? If by that you mean for visiting Dartmouth/learning more about it I have a few. </p>

<p>First of all, I’m sure you’re accustomed to the cold coming from New York, but I would make sure that you see it or experience it at some point in cold weather so you have some idea of what you’re getting into. Visiting in some way, shape or form is a must, regardless of when you go. When you visit, I would strongly advise getting a tour; the guides are typically students and they know a lot of cool places to go and a ton about them. If you can help it, try to go when classes are in session, and if you know someone up at Dartmouth, talk to them to see if you can observe some classes. It’s also really important to visit for two reasons. One, Hanover is in the middle of nowhere, and it’s a reality that it takes about two hours to get anywhere where you might be able to fly out - although I imagine you’d be driving to Dartmouth given your proximity. Secondly, definitely take time to explore the town and see some good places to eat (The Canoe Club is delicious… I highly recommend it :wink: ), so you can get a feel for college-town life. While the campus is certainly spacious, Dartmouth has a very small, close-knit feel in my opinion, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with that and see if it’s something you want.</p>

<p>Beyond that, if you can’t visit, I would go to any local presentations that you can so you know about Dartmouth’s various unique programs of study and such. Of course, if you’ve already done this, which you may well have, I’m not intending to condescend in any way… just offering suggestions. :)</p>

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<p>I’ve already applied to Dartmouth, and although it isn’t one one my top choices, it is in the top 5, so I was just wondering, do you guys know how important the friend rec is?</p>

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<p>Thanks Weezer. That was what I meant, sorry for the confusion. Hopefully I’ll be able to get up there soon. I do know someone who goes there so hopefully I can arrange something with her.</p>

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<p>i so hope we all get in :slight_smile: that would be nice.
and my favorite color is green too.
surprisingly enough, forest green! so i guess its a sign.
i need to be a part of “big green”!</p>

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<p>I’m applying RD, does anyone know if the increase in ED acceptances will hurt or help us?</p>

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<p>I hope we all get in too! That would be super awesome. Go people who like the color green!</p>

<p>mfederman, I believe the increase in ED acceptances were an intentional move (I think Dartmouth’s president commented in a press release on the fact that the applicants were in general so strong that they wanted to admit more.) So, I don’t imagine it would hurt us… at worst, it won’t do anything, but I’d suspect it’ll work in our favor if the RD pool is as competitive as the ED pool. Can’t know anything for sure though.</p>

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<p>@mfederman: They’re planning to increase the overall class size if I’ve heard correctly (it was in the NYT I believe) such that it will not affect us RD applicants. </p>

<p>Anyway, I’m from India, lived in Singapore practically my whole life. I have academic interests in economics, political science, creative writing, sociology, math and history.</p>