My Pre-Law Pathway at Dartmouth
When I was first accepted into Dartmouth, I was certain I would major in economics—I wanted to understand financial principles and thought it might refine my appreciation for math, a subject I enjoyed at the time. However, once I began exploring other courses, I realized midway through my first-year fall that my true passion lay elsewhere.
During my first-year fall, I took Politics and AI, a government course, and followed it up with Introduction to Public Policy during the winter. Both courses were intriguing and broadened my interest in understanding the systems that govern society. For a while, I also considered declaring a government major until my perspective shifted after taking a First-Year Seminar (FYS) course, Picturing Black History, during the spring term.
This FYS, taught by the incredible Professor Michael Chaney, was my introduction to the history department. The course explored Black art history through critical analysis of photographs, different mediums, and historical narratives. Professor Chaney encouraged us to expand our analytical skills, allowing us to delve deeply into the context and significance of historical imagery. Our ideas were never dismissed, fostering an environment of evaluative learning and engaging discussions about pivotal moments in Black history.
Since then, I have delved further into history, taking Africa and the World with Professor Robert Zeinstra and Health Care in American Society with Professor Allen Koop during my sophomore fall. These courses have deepened my understanding of global perspectives and societal structures. History feels like a natural home for my intellectual pursuits, particularly as I prepare for a career in law (and a potential pursuit in the medical malpractice realm). I'm also still drawn to public policy, and I am considering modifying my history major to include it, or declaring it as a minor.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Dartmouth's liberal arts education is the freedom to explore diverse academic fields before committing to a major. Dartmouth students don't declare their major until the winter term of their sophomore year, giving us a full year and a half to discover our academic passions. Dartmouth offers the flexibility of modified majors—an option that combines courses from related fields into a unified, coherent study plan; furthermore, a modified major consists of usually ten courses: six in one primary field and four in another, tailored to suit a student's specific interests and goals.
This interdisciplinary approach has been instrumental in my journey as a pre-law student. It has allowed me to cultivate a broad understanding of history, government, and public policy, equipping me with the contextual knowledge essential for a future in law.