http://www.studentsreview.com/NH/DC_comments.html Life at DC - Comments en http://www.studentsreview.com/NH/DC_comments.html My years at Dartmouth were some of the best of my life. Granted, it was a long time ago. I'm an old guy now (34)! My professors at Dartmouth were caring, they didn't treat you like a statue or number.... Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:55:59 GMT StudentsReview 865-91391 Copyright 2013 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 865-91391 865 36 PreMed and Medical Male Undergraduate Alumnus Class 2000 Positive My years at Dartmouth were some of the best of my life. Granted, it was a long time ago. I'm an old guy now (34)! My professors at Dartmouth were caring, they didn't treat you like a statue or number. They were pretty accessible. The coursework was difficult, so don't attend if you don't want to work hard. In the long run, it helped prepare me for graduate school and life, even though I didn't see it at the time. I loved everything about the campus. I played soccer at Dartmouth (attacking midfielder and forward), and my teammates really pushed me in my studies, and my coached cared enough about me to check in on how I was doing off the field. I had the intent of becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic, but after I graduated, I attracted interest from a number of professional soccer teams in Germany, Ireland, England, Holland, and Italy. I signed with the Italian team Udinese, before transferring to Holland, and then ultimately to the German club VfB Stuttgart and finished out the rest of my 9 year career there. During the last year of my career, and after I retired, I worked on getting that D.C. diploma. I just graduated, and am self-employed, doing pretty well. Knowing I was from Dartmouth definitely opened some doors that wouldn't have been opened if I hadn't gone. The people at Dartmouth are amazing, not arrogant or "rich kids" or party people. Most students are focused and determined. The school is big enough to not know everybody, but small enough to know many people and have a close group of friends. The dorms were clean and comfortable as well. Personally, I love New Hampshire, the countryside is so beautiful! Sorry, I'm rambling. :) To sum this up, if you want to work hard and get a good degree to prepare you for life, while making new friends, and enjoying yourself, then go to Dartmouth. If you aren't motivated, then Dartmouth isn't the place for you. Dartmouth is a college that will prepare you for life. If I had to do it over, I wouldn't change a thing! Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:55:59 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/NH/DC_comments.html http://www.studentsreview.com/NH/DC_comments.html They say you can do anything you want with a Liberal Arts degree and I consider myself living proof. The High Tech industry doesn't hire non-technical people as often now, but I wasn't without technic... Sun, 18 Nov 2012 09:39:49 GMT StudentsReview 865-90489 Copyright 2013 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 865-90489 865 58 Political Science Male Undergraduate Alumnus Class 2000 Neutral They say you can do anything you want with a Liberal Arts degree and I consider myself living proof. The High Tech industry doesn't hire non-technical people as often now, but I wasn't without technical skills. I was able to demonstrate enough technical skill (some learned at Dartmouth) and much better than average (especially in the techie world) communication skills. Sun, 18 Nov 2012 09:39:49 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/NH/DC_comments.html http://www.studentsreview.com/NH/DC_comments.html Read "Dartmouth's Secret Hazing Hell" article by former Dartmouth student in this month's (April 12, 2012) Rolling Stone magazine. You'll think twice about applying to Dartmouth. It's a huge turn-of... Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:30:03 GMT StudentsReview 865-86542 Copyright 2013 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 865-86542 865 0 Unknown Male Undergraduate Class 2000 Advice Read "Dartmouth's Secret Hazing Hell" article by former Dartmouth student in this month's (April 12, 2012) Rolling Stone magazine. You'll think twice about applying to Dartmouth. It's a huge turn-off. Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:30:03 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/NH/DC_comments.html http://www.studentsreview.com/NH/DC_comments.html Dartmouth is an Ivy League school, but perceived as "second-rank" Ivy. The drawback for many students is its remoteness and relative isolation. Hanover is a small town and there are few opportunitie... Sun, 27 Mar 2011 04:13:11 GMT StudentsReview 865-75770 Copyright 2013 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 865-75770 865 53 Other Female Undergraduate Class 2012 3rd Year Positive Dartmouth is an Ivy League school, but perceived as "second-rank" Ivy. The drawback for many students is its remoteness and relative isolation. Hanover is a small town and there are few opportunities for internships and jobs there, not to mention shopping opportunities. The weather, particularly in winter, is fairly nasty--lots of snow and ice, COLD! And yes, there are some "spoiled rich kids" around--although they tend to be more of the "giving back" and "let's have fun" variety than the "I'm SO privileged because of my daddy's trust fund, and much better than you" type. Few minorities, as a previous rant stated?? Yes, and it is hard for outsiders to break into those well-supported groups, which consist of people actively recruited and often given financial aid, in general, who apparently never realized before arriving on campus that rural New Hampshire is just that, and not New York City or the Badlands of the Dakotas. I'm Asian, and it is amusing to me to be lumped in with "whites" as The Oppressor. . .

In any case, Dartmouth is for you if you like small classes, dedicated teachers, and an academic focus. It can be a challenge to make your own social life if you are not part of the Greek system, and a lot of people join frats and sororities here who might not do so on other campuses, just because the small town and small campus seem to necessitate creating a network for interaction. Yes, there are too many drugs and too much drinking for my liking. I'm a teetotaler. However, I visited many campuses before deciding to come here, and the drinking and drugs were just as prevalent elsewhere--and my friends at other schools report just as many drunken parties as I've heard about.

The classes are good, but must be selected mindfully. Teachers tend to have high expectations and to set high standards for themselves and for their students. If you are looking for excellent instruction and accessible faculty, then Dartmouth is your school President Kim is the most accessible and congenial and proactive college president I've ever heard of, and he takes great pains to meet with students and LISTEN to them and to their concerns. There are opportunities to dine and converse with visiting dignitaries and stars, just by requesting the ticket and showing interest.

Foreign study and volunteer service are emphasized at Dartmouth, and, frankly, the "D Plan," which mandates that the summer after sophomore year be spent on campus, taking courses, is a pain in the behind. It was instituted when the college became co-ed and there were not sufficient living accommodations for all students. I disliked it because the "off term" interrupts the continuity of education and friendships. On the other hand, my months abroad were indeed very real learning experiences, even if the lessons were largely learned outside the classroom. (I don't think that this is unusual in study abroad programs.)

Dartmouth is one of the most beautiful campuses I've ever seen, and there is considerable environmental awareness and incentives to be "green" (Dartmouth Green!) The food is so-so, in my opinion, and there are not enough options and limited serving hours. However, halal, kosher, vegetarian, vegan choices are always available, and there are on-campus houses that cater to these needs as well. The outdoors is part of the Dartmouth experience, and freshman year begins with an outdoors adventure that is intended to bond the newcomers to the existing community and to one another--and the efforts pay off. There are many festivals and events throughout the year that reinforce the bonding--bonfire, winter carnival, and other togetherness celebrations that are special and memorable.

Dartmouth Alumni are unusually loyal and committed to the school and remain active. Scholarship students like me also get to meet the people who are helping to fund their education and to form a relationship with them. This inspires the recipients to perform at their best level, gives them a face or faces to go with their gratitude, and also helps encourage them to give once they have "made it" themselves. Like so many others, the program emphasizes community and connectedness.

It's not a perfect school, but if you want to learn with a group of basically intelligent, socially conscious, "nice" and well-scrubbed folks, if you like a sense of belonging and have a need for challenging and well-crafted courses, you might well love Dartmouth, as I do. It's all here, if you take the trouble to become part of it and optimize the opportunities. I would choose to come here again, although I might experiment more with courses given another chance. Sun, 27 Mar 2011 04:13:11 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/NH/DC_comments.html http://www.studentsreview.com/NH/DC_comments.html This school is a bad choice for students who are black or are from a low socio-economic background. _ The financial aid system is JACKED-UP! Firstly, this school does not offer merit based scholar... Tue, 02 Nov 2010 05:53:31 GMT StudentsReview 865-72467 Copyright 2013 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 865-72467 865 38 Psychology Male Undergraduate Alumnus Class 2000 Negative This school is a bad choice for students who are black or are from a low socio-economic background.

_ The financial aid system is JACKED-UP!
Firstly, this school does not offer merit based scholarships. Now many will say that this equalizes the playing field because students who went to better high schools and were offered many APs would have an unfair advantage over poorer students. However the reverse is true. Merit based scholarships provide the opportunity for colleges to reward the hard work of students who came from backgrounds with fewer resources. The absence of such makes money a huge issue for students.

Additionally, you are expected to earn money during your leave terms. What this means is that you have to pay for the school even during the ten weeks each school year you are not there. Dartmouth is not the only private institution to do this but it is still a problem. This means you can't do the unpaid internship over your freshman summer, unless of course you are rich or you worked ridiculous work study hours to save the money to cover the costs.

As part of your financial aid you will have the option of doing work study. The problem is that almost all the work study positions are menial labor jobs that actually detract from the "Dartmouth Experience" they sell you at Dimensions. Particularly aimed at low ses students, these jobs require you to be servants to your elite and condescending classmates. From my experience, the increasing hours I needed to work to meet the rising tuition cost negatively impacted my grades. The worst part about all this is that the administration is completely indifferent to this issue. There isn't even an award for students who work many hours while maintaining a full course load. In fact, athletes are given more regard in this situation than student workers. It is completely outrageous.

_Their Praised Statistics don't mean...Anything
Prospective and current students may have heard stats about student participation in programs at the school like "60% of students participate in study abroad programs" or "60% of Dartmouth students join a greek house". These stats are toted around to give the impression of student satisfaction: "If so many of my peers have done it, it must be good."
Don't fall for this trap. The study abroad programs are terrible, regardless of your SES. If you are not best friends with all the people on the trip before you leave the country, you are bound to be miserable. The program completely separates you from the locals of the nation. You will not meet anyone new unless you're a skinny blonde in a low cut tank. You would probably have a stronger learning experience if you were taught the same materials in the US. Not to mention you don't have access to any of the acclaimed Dartmouth resources yet you are paying a whole lot more.

_The Alcohol...I mean social scene.
As many have already mentioned, the social scene is dominated by the frats and their extensive use of drugs and alcohol. I come from a ghetto town in NYC yet I have never even seen marijuana or cocaine until I came to Dartmouth. If you want to be social you have to drink and do other drugs. This is not an exaggeration. The only reason I had a micron of a social life was because of the black community at Dartmouth. There is an affinity house that is dedicated to the black experience that has a lot of social events including very successful parties. It does not permit drugs or alcohol on its premises. Minority students (particularly Black and native americans) are constantly criticized as being self segregated, however in my experience it has more like socially relegated. The use of drugs and alcohol have greater stigma for us than for white and Asian students yet in order to be accepted by the majority we have to drop your own culture and personality and fulfill the negative stereotypes they may harbor against us. This leads to the hardest part about my critique.

_Got Race Awareness?
Even if you are not a minority student, I implore you to read this portion because it does affect you. Now before anyone dismisses me as some anti-white black panther who is quick to label everything as racism, let me give you a little background about me. In high school, even though my school was predominantly latino (with almost equal numbers of black and white students), most of my friends were white and Asian. It wasn't by choice it was just that many of the black students seemed to have a problem with my nerdy-ness and my obvious (but closeted) queer identity. So I chose college without consideration of race. After all, all the people who had bullied and picked on me throughout my life were all black so why would I feel any animosity towards white people?

During my freshman year the school ended having to hold a rally against hate because of attacks against Native American students. I remember one time walking past my dorm during freshman family weekend only to hear a kid as his dad "Is that the ghetto gangster dorm?" During my senior year, a white student vandalized my property because of my "African-sounding name". The worst part is that when I reported it to both the dean and the campus security neither of them took the matter seriously and were unwilling to make efforts to support me.

Despite my negative evaluation of Dartmouth, I must say that out of all the professors I had I only disliked 2 or 3. Furthermore, the psychology major provides a great amount of neurology allowing those who major in psychology instead of neurology to compete.

_In Closing
Dartmouth is stratified primarily on SES. If you are a poor person of any race without a full ride scholarship you will be reminded of it everyday. All the clubs, programs and events will not be available to you even though you'll be charged a student activities fee. Even though Dartmouth is an Ivy League school, the short comings of it graduate school leave it on the long list of obscurity. If you think its prestige makes it worth the cost then you are wrong.

To you High School students I say this: Don't let prestige fool you into believing that it would be a blessing to get into a school. If you get accepted to an Ivy League school that means your accomplishments would serve to exalt the school not the other way around. Stats show that students who get accepted to top notch schools succeed regardless of whether they choose to attend. Bottom line: don't allow some elitist institution to devalue you and your accomplishments only to leave you living with your parents with a load of debt.

I know this was long but there is still a lot more. Please feel free to email me with questions or comments, that includes those who wish to challenge my point of view. Tue, 02 Nov 2010 05:53:31 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/NH/DC_comments.html