Nathan Hammerschmitt Le Gal

All first-years take a writing class and a first-year seminar (small group composition class offered by various departments). One path is to take Writing 5 (WRIT5) and a seminar. Students also have the option to take Writing 2-3 (best for strengthening fundamental writing skills) or Humanities 1 & 2 (literature-heavy, group discussion-based class).

The Dartmouth is Dartmouth’s college newspaper—the oldest college newspaper in the nation (1799)! If you love reporting and journalism, this is the outlet for you. The D is a massive organization with many students at varying levels of student commitment. Whether you’re interested in pure writing, interviewing, templating, editing, or even multimedia, The D has a role for you. 

The Stonefence Review is an arts magazine run entirely by students! This publication allows students to print poems, creative writing, photography, and other visual art. Each volume is printed, so you get to keep a physical copy of your published work (this is on my bucket list to do). A digital version of the publication can be accessed here.

The Admissions Office employs students like myself to write these blogs, and they offer the opportunity to work during breaks. Blog post deadlines can be weekly or bi-weekly, depending on your schedule. I love blogging because it allows me to connect with students and reflect on “the place that is Dartmouth” during the process. Blogging makes me grateful and, at times, really excited.

If you’re really passionate about writing, you can consider majoring or minoring in the English Department. My current seminar—Investigative Memoir—is through the department, and I’ve been enjoying it immensely. Though I don’t have enough slots in my course schedule to dedicate part of my degree to English, I might take another course or two just for personal fulfillment. The department has many options to fulfill whichever creative writing niche you enjoy, and there’s a Foreign Study Program (FSP) in London!

As you can see, there are many avenues to writing on campus. There’s also the added plus of Still North Books (a cozy bookstore/cafe) and Left Bank Books (a used bookstore with antique vibes) in downtown Hanover (if books are your thing). Still North—started by a Dartmouth Alum—frequently hosts readings with popular authors. Ultimately, writing at Dartmouth is what you make of it, and your opportunities are far from limited. If you want to, you could even start a new organization or apply for funding to complete a project!