Dickinson is a top-quality liberal arts institution that works to provide each student with as many opportunities as they possibly can. Academically, Dickinson is top of the line, and despite its size, it boasts huge number of wonderful opportunities for involvement and engagement of just about anything. What makes Dickinson a great college is its genuine strive to work with the students and for the students, the hallmark of a great undergraduate liberal arts college.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Explore EVERYTHING. Join clubs you wouldn't usually join. Take weird classes that are outside of your comfort zone to fulfill graduation requirements. Get to know your professors. Explore the world though internships and study abroad opportunities. You can do it all at Dickinson, so why not do it all?
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Dickinson plays host to world renowned faculty, and as a student, you have full access to learning opportunities that larger schools are not able to offer. They will push you to think outside of your comfort zone. It's not easy, but it's worth it. Additionally, you are required to take classes in a variety of subjects to graduate, which allows you to explore academics that will impress and push you in ways though which you would not have imagined. This is a key asset to attending a liberal arts college, and employers really value the well-roundedness of applicants from colleges like Dickinson.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
The dorms are really nice. Rooms are a decent size, common rooms are awesome, and community life is what you make of it. I live in Drayer, and I am extremely comfortable.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
The food here is extremely hit or miss. The meal plan system is weird, which consequently gives you limited location options for eating. The cafeteria is a social hotspot, so most students eat there regularly. Most would say that the food relatively hit or miss, but I'd say it's usually pretty good. Across the hallway is the Snar, which offers sandwiches, a salad bar, and quick eats. The Quarry, the student-established coffee shop on campus, recently changed its entire menu, causing slow service and subpar sandwiches, but they have great wings and solid meal exchanges. There's also two juice bars. I'm satisfied with the dining options, but they could definitely be much better.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Club events are frequent and fun, but the greatest activities are MOB events. They offer semester concerts, fattening food events, movie days/nights, and so much more. I'm a music major, so I'm partial to the music department's concerts and recitals. I don't participate in nightlife much, but I hear that it's good, not great. There are also a bunch of restaurants and nice bars downtown (meaning literally right down the street), as well as a movie theater, Walmart, froyo, and Panera within walking distance, plus a shopping center two miles away. Some students also take advantage of recreational shuttles.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Yes, it's expensive, but Dickinson's Financial Aid office is fantastic. They truly recognize the individual need of each student and work extremely hard to give every accepted student the opportunity to attend the college. Absolutely the bang for your buck.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The Student Senate-funded Take A Dickinsonian To Lunch program is odd, but really neat. Students can take a faculty or staff member to a nearby restaurant for lunch FREE OF CHARGE. It's a great opportunity for students and faculty to connect.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Curious, genuinely intelligent, willing to push themselves, liberal and/or open minded, motivated, independent, well-rounded, interested in diversity and culture.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
SO. MANY. CLUBS. And if you can't find one you like, you can start one though the Dickinson Student Senate! If you don't think there's something for you, you need to try harder. There's so much to do here!
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
It's here, but it's a small part of campus life. People who take advantage of it absolutely love it, but nobody judges you if it's not your thing.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
The campus safety at Dickinson is fantastic. Carlisle is a safe town, but that doesn't stop the campus from having a quality safety department. In addition to the traditional blue light service, DPS provides Safe Walk at night and the Safety Shuttle to transport you to anywhere you need to go in Carlisle between 9pm and 3am. The officers respond quickly when summoned and genuinely care about the students at Dickinson. I feel extremely safe on campus.
Dickinson is a top-quality liberal arts institution that works to provide each student with as many opportunities as they possibly can. Academically, Dickinson is top of the line, and despite its size, it boasts huge number of wonderful opportunities for involvement and engagement of just about anything. What makes Dickinson a great college is its genuine strive to work with the students and for the students, the hallmark of a great undergraduate liberal arts college.
Explore EVERYTHING. Join clubs you wouldn't usually join. Take weird classes that are outside of your comfort zone to fulfill graduation requirements. Get to know your professors. Explore the world though internships and study abroad opportunities. You can do it all at Dickinson, so why not do it all?
Dickinson plays host to world renowned faculty, and as a student, you have full access to learning opportunities that larger schools are not able to offer. They will push you to think outside of your comfort zone. It's not easy, but it's worth it. Additionally, you are required to take classes in a variety of subjects to graduate, which allows you to explore academics that will impress and push you in ways though which you would not have imagined. This is a key asset to attending a liberal arts college, and employers really value the well-roundedness of applicants from colleges like Dickinson.
The dorms are really nice. Rooms are a decent size, common rooms are awesome, and community life is what you make of it. I live in Drayer, and I am extremely comfortable.
The food here is extremely hit or miss. The meal plan system is weird, which consequently gives you limited location options for eating. The cafeteria is a social hotspot, so most students eat there regularly. Most would say that the food relatively hit or miss, but I'd say it's usually pretty good. Across the hallway is the Snar, which offers sandwiches, a salad bar, and quick eats. The Quarry, the student-established coffee shop on campus, recently changed its entire menu, causing slow service and subpar sandwiches, but they have great wings and solid meal exchanges. There's also two juice bars. I'm satisfied with the dining options, but they could definitely be much better.
Club events are frequent and fun, but the greatest activities are MOB events. They offer semester concerts, fattening food events, movie days/nights, and so much more. I'm a music major, so I'm partial to the music department's concerts and recitals. I don't participate in nightlife much, but I hear that it's good, not great. There are also a bunch of restaurants and nice bars downtown (meaning literally right down the street), as well as a movie theater, Walmart, froyo, and Panera within walking distance, plus a shopping center two miles away. Some students also take advantage of recreational shuttles.
Yes, it's expensive, but Dickinson's Financial Aid office is fantastic. They truly recognize the individual need of each student and work extremely hard to give every accepted student the opportunity to attend the college. Absolutely the bang for your buck.
The Student Senate-funded Take A Dickinsonian To Lunch program is odd, but really neat. Students can take a faculty or staff member to a nearby restaurant for lunch FREE OF CHARGE. It's a great opportunity for students and faculty to connect.
Curious, genuinely intelligent, willing to push themselves, liberal and/or open minded, motivated, independent, well-rounded, interested in diversity and culture.
SO. MANY. CLUBS. And if you can't find one you like, you can start one though the Dickinson Student Senate! If you don't think there's something for you, you need to try harder. There's so much to do here!
It's here, but it's a small part of campus life. People who take advantage of it absolutely love it, but nobody judges you if it's not your thing.
The campus safety at Dickinson is fantastic. Carlisle is a safe town, but that doesn't stop the campus from having a quality safety department. In addition to the traditional blue light service, DPS provides Safe Walk at night and the Safety Shuttle to transport you to anywhere you need to go in Carlisle between 9pm and 3am. The officers respond quickly when summoned and genuinely care about the students at Dickinson. I feel extremely safe on campus.