Dickinson College

Date: Feb 02 2010
Major: English (This Major's Salary over time)
Critics of Dickinson tend to complain that the atmosphere is very "cliquish." While I can certainly see that in some respects, I feel that Dickinson is the kind of environment that requires you to really question what you want in a friend, in an education, and in an experience. There are a great variety of people and opportunities on campus if you take the time to explore them. Don't come to Dickinson with some predetermined notion of what the college experience is "supposed to be." The primary function of higher education is EDUCATION, so get excited about your classes, talk to your professors, get to know people with similar interests, and your social life will unfold as you go.

I'll admit that I'm not a terribly outgoing person, and that I generally prefer a night of watching movies to a party, but I'm never bored and I don't feel like I'm missing out.

I can't be happier about my Dickinson education. As an English major, I'm being taught directly by brilliant professors who, aside from being experts in their field, are personable, fascinating people who work hard to get to know their students and to make themselves as available as possible.

Dickinson is also a fantastic school for anyone who wants to study abroad. I spent my junior year in Norwich, England, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. While many of Dickinson's taglines are cheesy, I think that Dickinon's commitment to a "global education" is a valid one. For a school of our size, I think we do a lot to promote the idea of a global community.

Especially because of the recession, much of the school's focus has been on drawing in financial support and as many applicants as possible. The new website, for instance, is geared far more towards prospective students than it is towards current students. I think the administration could do more to cater to it current students, but, as far as day-to-day life in the classroom and on campus goes, I have really enjoyed my time here and couldn't be happier with my decision to come.