While many people believe that an Ivy League school is just all in the name, that's not entirely true. While I can't personally compare it to any other school, I can tell that the education and the teaching is top-notch. I come from a rural public school in Connecticut, so it's definitely a leap, and the students here are definitely motivated and intelligent (which can make it rough on a student that has never been with so many smart people before). The professors also make sure to make office hours accesible and are generally available to meet, even if you can't make it to their office hours. There are also plenty of opportunities to do research and have other experience outside the classroom such as helping professors do research and working in labs.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
The campus is probably best described as quaint. It's a small campus and quite rural, so there's definitely a trap of being in a Dartmouth bubble. It's often difficult to think of a world outside of Dartmouth while you're there, so that could be troubling to some people. The social scene is also clearly centered around Greek life, and there is little else that goes on in Hanover. However, even most of the people that are initially turned off by the Greek scene eventually do warm to it, and the upperclassmen are generally very welcoming to freshman.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Dartmouth is first a private school, so you the cost of tuition and room and board is going to be high. It's no higher than many similar schools (Cornell, Brown, etc.), but that doesn't mean that it's affordable either. It's a great education, but I can't say that you really get your bang for the buck. Financial aid is decent - although it helps to know how to work the system to get better financial aid.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Be yourself and get lucky - applying for these types of schools is never easy and there's a certain amount of luck involved. Don't be discouraged if you get rejected at any school, since there are plenty of worthy students that don't get in (or are wait listed); that isn't just a way of the admissions office to make you feel better.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
While many people believe that an Ivy League school is just all in the name, that's not entirely true. While I can't personally compare it to any other school, I can tell that the education and the teaching is top-notch. I come from a rural public school in Connecticut, so it's definitely a leap, and the students here are definitely motivated and intelligent (which can make it rough on a student that has never been with so many smart people before). The professors also make sure to make office hours accesible and are generally available to meet, even if you can't make it to their office hours. There are also plenty of opportunities to do research and have other experience outside the classroom such as helping professors do research and working in labs.
The campus is probably best described as quaint. It's a small campus and quite rural, so there's definitely a trap of being in a Dartmouth bubble. It's often difficult to think of a world outside of Dartmouth while you're there, so that could be troubling to some people. The social scene is also clearly centered around Greek life, and there is little else that goes on in Hanover. However, even most of the people that are initially turned off by the Greek scene eventually do warm to it, and the upperclassmen are generally very welcoming to freshman.
Dartmouth is first a private school, so you the cost of tuition and room and board is going to be high. It's no higher than many similar schools (Cornell, Brown, etc.), but that doesn't mean that it's affordable either. It's a great education, but I can't say that you really get your bang for the buck. Financial aid is decent - although it helps to know how to work the system to get better financial aid.
Be yourself and get lucky - applying for these types of schools is never easy and there's a certain amount of luck involved. Don't be discouraged if you get rejected at any school, since there are plenty of worthy students that don't get in (or are wait listed); that isn't just a way of the admissions office to make you feel better.
Outdoorsy, social, motivated, ambitious