Hi,
I’m considering applying to Dartmouth for undergrad, but there are a few things about the place that worry me, and I’m hoping a current student or recent graduate can clear me doubts
What's the drinking scene like? Dartmouth's got a rep for being a "fratty" place, and that's one of few things that make me question it. Are there more enforcing policies now? Are there followed? Is the peer pressure high?
Does it get unmanageably cold? I live in Bangalore, India, where the weather is great, and I'm scared of the big transition in climate.
Are there lots of Indians/Asians there?
What is the computer science department like? I'm interested in doing cs at Dartmouth, and while in most rankings, Dartmouth's cs department doesn't fare too well, some books such as the Fiske Guide are full of praise toward it.
The teachers and undergrad focus at the school are highly praised. How true is this?
Does Dartmouth recruit especially for the guys soccer team, or can you try out for it once you're there.
In the meantime, I’ll answer what wasn’t in that thread:
See thread. There’s drinking, but I never felt pressured.
Weather does get cold in the winter, and there will be snow on the ground as well. But summers are a lovely 80 degrees, spring is warm, and fall has the typical New England crispness - a little frost in the morning, but comfortable in the afternoons. There always seems to be one awful week in the winter with the windchill, but with some good winter clothes and mapping your walking route through buildings, it’s manageable. Me personally? I liked having the seasons changing since it gave new opportunities each season (skating on the outdoor pond in winter, studying on the green in spring, hiking in the fall, and river activities in the summer.
You can check the exact stats on the website, but Asians make up a large percentage (15% of the class of '18) of the minority. Definitely common to see them, so you won’t be the only Indian on campus.
I only had a little exposure to CS, but folks that complete it feel prepared for the real world, if that’s your main concern. Friends that took it would classify it as “Lots of time and work” but they learned a lot, and even those that hadn’t taken classes in high school could learn. A lot of expected-cs majors I knew ended up minoring in CS and majoring in something similar (math, engineering, even physics)
Huge focus on undergrads. Professors will go out of their way to help you, even if you don’t ask for it right away. Outside of the classroom, professors will invite you to dinner (especially international students for Thanksgiving dinner) and I’ve had classmates babysit professor’s kids, and I myself have gotten coffee with professors after I’ve graduated and come back. So I can vouch that the teaching is really their passion.
I did baseball as a walk-on. The true recruitment path is definitely easier, so get in touch with the soccer coach soon. Most of the sports have a couple walk-on spots, though it’s an uphill battle on that. Keep in mind, the Ivy League doesn’t give you athletic scholarships, so the best that recruitment can give you is a minor leg up in admissions, but they can’t hand you a free ride for soccer alone