Dickinson College

Date: Feb 17 2015
Major: Economics (This Major's Salary over time)
After spending almost a year at Dickinson, it's safe to say this institution is not for me, and I found many problems with the institution.

I'll start with the good.

The academics are excellent. The alumni connection is strong and growing stronger, many successful people in all fields attended this college. The professors are engaging, brilliant, and genuinely want you to succeed. The campus is gorgeous and well kept.

The college has few upsides, the downfalls by far outweigh the good.

The social aspect is terrible. I found many students to be cliquish, standoffish, arrogant, unfriendly, and somewhat snobby. It's a small school, so friend groups somehow magically form quickly and people start to shut others out. I found there are two types of people. The preppy kids which make up a majority of the student population, and the nerdy, artsy population which makes up the other half. Middle grounders, like me, aren't plenty and it may be hard to fit in. Parties are very sports and club based. It's possible to get in if you know the right people. I found the nightlife got monotonous quickly, it's mediocre at best.

The town of Carlisle is far from a college town. The relationship between the residents of Carlisle and the students is broken. Many residents (townies) are hostile towards students and don't like us. There isn't much to do in Carlisle. Having a car or a friend with one will make everything better. There are some good restaurants and shops, but not many. The college is located next to the worse part of town. Students have been robbed and assaulted, the college and town has gotten much more dangerous over the years.

The administration doesn't really tend to students needs. It's very disconnected from the student population. Many students complain about the administration and agree changes need to be made to it.

The food is decent. It has some on and off days. The lack of a 24-hour option is somewhat inconvenient as clubs, sports, and work can make it difficult to eat at certain times. The "caf" is packed during peak hours.

The housing is unfair and some dorms are downright awful. The walls are paper thin; doors can be heard slamming down the hall, other noises can be heard during the night as well. I found many students left their dorms and common areas messy. The lack of consideration for themselves and their peers was shocking. Housing apparently gets better, but it's a lottery system and it's easy to get bad housing again.

To conclude the review, I heed this to any prospective student. Know what you really want in a school. I had no clue what I really wanted. I blew $62,000 for an experience I wish I hadn't gone through. Know the school, people, and environment you wish to be in the next 4 years of your life. Choosing your college is a vital decision for the growth of yourself as an adult and student. If anyone interested in Dickinson asks me if they should go, I would tell them to run far away and don't look back.