<p>can any one share with me what attract you to Dartmouth?</p>
<p>so that i can know more about Dartmouth from a personal perspective.</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>Dartmouth is unique in so many ways- even amongst the top few schools in the country. On the surface its has a tightknit campus community, incredible resources per student, small classes, no TAs, etc. </p>
<p>But more critically, the dartmouth "spirit" is incredible - it wins on the intangibles. There just seems to be something special in the air, the administration bend over backwards to help students, Professors invite their students to dinner, there are countless undergrad grants and programs for international study, and the Dartmouth students tend to form incredibly strong friendships. </p>
<p>All this breeds lots of alumni loyalty (over 75% return for reunions). Socially its also very tighknit with a very inclusive social scene where everyone is invited to every party, amazing big weekends (homecoming and winter carnival are awesome), sophomore summer where you meet most of your classmates (camp dartmouth!), and fantastic study abroad. Its a very unique experience. To illustrate, most schools have you do study abroad through third party programs- basically you pretty much are on your own. Dartmouth has intensive language training and the whole program is led by a Dartmouth professor with only Dartmouth students. There is a huge budget for weekly trips and a week long learning "vacation" in the middle. Dartmouth not only has study abroad, it has international programs in almost every major. So Econ at LSE, Phil at Edinburgh, Environmental Studies in Africa, Anthro in New Zealand, etc. Small differences that make a huge difference in the long run.</p>
<p>Dartmouth also tends to do amazingly well with recruiting and job placement, in my opinion partially due to the incredible undergrad loyalty and the fact that Dartmouth students graduate as uniquely interesting people with great recommendations. </p>
<p>Finally the culture of Dartmouth is unique amongst the top schools. Students are incredibly academic and intellectual in the classroom, but they tend to be funny, well balanced, playful people, who don't find fun and academic success to be mutually exclusive. </p>
<p>In my experience I think Dartmouth does well at everything that "matters." Attending Dartmouth was one of the best decisions Ive ever made.</p>
<p>Slipper, what year of college are you in?
I really love Dartmouth!</p>
<p>Wonderful post!</p>
<p>Hey Spidey,</p>
<p>Graduated a few years ago. One more thing to add - you also really see the difference as an alum. So many people come back to campus and go to local alumni gatherings, I get mail all the time (things like Calendars, photo books, etc), the alumni magazine is full of class notes, etc. Once again little things that make a big difference.</p>
<p>My son fell in love with this college at first sight. After a weekend with a friend he was hooked. I didn't get it and really could not understand why my NYC kid wanted to spend 4 years in rural NH. While we're still new to the school what I've come to believe is that the whole community is dedicated to this "bubble" most probably because there are few other outlets. All of their energy goes into contributing to activities on the campus. Profs don't live in an area with lots of peers unconnected to the college so their life is the college and they socialize with students. The students can't choose from a weekend about town, hopping to a nearby city or many other activities so again, their lives are fully focused on the college.</p>
<p>It kind of reminds me of Lost only no one wants to leave the island.</p>
<p>Slipper, do you have personal knowledge about the LSE program, I can't find it on the FSP site.</p>
<p>Slipper, that was a great post.</p>
<p>I don't go to Dartmouth, but was up there twice while I was on the transfer wait list this past summer. For those of you who have never visited for, the minute you step on to the campus you will know you're somewhere very special.</p>
<p>Yeah, thanks Slipper :)</p>