Hey all! I'm Batu. I'm a '26 from Istanbul, Turkey, and I am passionate about the cognitive science of design, developmental psychology, aesthetics research, postcolonial literature, and social media marketing! Be sure to reach out with questions about exploring the liberal arts, learning a new language at Dartmouth, cafes in town (one of my favorite blog series dare I say), study abroad programs, and research on campus!
Writing 5 is one of the courses that count towards the first-year writing requirement. The course covered content relating to the self, transformation, and social dynamics relating to majority and minority. Dr. Godley is simply phenomenal. Her instruction was extremely accessible even though she covered intense topics. I could not have enjoyed my Writing 5 more!
Design Thinking was above and beyond my expectations. The course is structured around weekly projects, where we apply different cognitive strategies to cover topics like design principles, human need-finding, brainstorming, scenario building, and visual thinking.
Introduction to Cognitive Science covers a variety of fields including psychology, computer science, linguistics, and philosophy to provide insight into cognitive processes. This course helped me develop an understanding of all facets of cognitive science and which ones I would be interested in further pursuing as part of my major.
SummerIstanbul, Turkey
I was home during my first summer! A non-exhaustive list of things I've done includes sunbathing, coding my personal blog, and going on runs. #rest #relaxation
Psychology 10 is a deep dive into almost everything you might need to become well-versed in conducting research, analyzing data, and interpreting findings in a statistically sound manner. Professor Pfister is the most approachable professor I have ever had the pleasure of learning from. Statistics isn't exactly my forté, but I now feel confident in my stats foundation!
I loved taking this class with Madame Alverde, a professor from Université Toulouse ; Jean Jaures was an incredible experience. She made sure to correct our mistakes on the spot and improve them eloquently.
This course allowed me to explore the intersection of aesthetics and digital media, focusing on how digital environments reshape traditional concepts like materiality and form. I particularly enjoyed comparing human and AI-generated analyses of art and examining the frameworks that shape contemporary digital studies, from visual culture to design philosophy.
SummerHanover, NH
I was on campus pursuing full-time research in the Cognitive Science department. My research focuses on children's capacity to imagine and reason about possibilities!
Choosing My Path: Applying Early Decision from the Lens of a Regular Decision Applicant
As early decision season approaches and the college admission process is grounded in the realities of high school seniors around the country and the world, I want to share my perspective on applying early decision to Dartmouth as someone who chose to apply regular decision.
While choosing which colleges to apply to, I had numerous concerns that ultimately led me to opt out of applying under a binding early decision.
"Is this school the right fit for me to the point I can't imagine going anywhere else for college?"
Dartmouth College was among the schools I contemplated applying to early decision. I knew Dartmouth's excellent financial aid programs and the statistically higher acceptance rate under the early decision plan. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that I hadn't engaged in enough self-reflection to commit to any college confidently.
"What if I get in early and their financial aid isn't sufficient?" I pondered. While Dartmouth was renowned for its generous aid packages, I wasn't ready to make a binding commitment without exploring other options and comparing financial aid offers.
I also wrestled with the question of whether applying early decision was a statistically smarter decision. "How do early and regular admission rates differ?" I wondered. Many colleges tend to admit a higher percentage of students through early decision, but the choice isn't solely about the numbers. It's essential to consider personal readiness and fit, not just statistical advantages.
Perhaps the most critical of all, "Am I ready to submit a college application?" This question encompasses more than just meeting application deadlines. It involves an in-depth exploration of personal goals, preferences, and aspirations that extend beyond the desire to attend a prestigious institution.
In the end, I chose to apply regular decision to Dartmouth instead of early decision. I took a different path by applying early action to another school, and although I didn't get into the other school, this setback turned out to be a blessing in disguise. When my regular decision results came in, I noticed a common thread among the schools I had been accepted to—they were all community-centered institutions with incredible research opportunities. This realization opened my eyes to what I truly wanted from a college.
Here's a pic of me signaling to you that everything will be okay!!!
The most crucial piece of advice I can give is to reflect deeply before deciding. I wish I had taken more time to contemplate the kind of college experience I wanted. Knowing everything I now know about Dartmouth, I cannot envision myself at any other institution, and I would certainly have applied early decision if I had critically thought about my aspirations earlier in the process.
The college application process is a highly personal journey, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach. While early decision may be the right choice for some, it's essential to consider your own goals, financial situation, and readiness before committing. My experience taught me that sometimes, the road less traveled leads to unexpected discoveries and a better understanding of one's true desires.
Most students have to go back to college after Thanksgiving to take their finals, but not at Dartmouth! We have a six-week winter break, known as "winterim!" Let me tell you how I spent my winterim!
Applying early to a university can be overwhelming and confusing. As someone who did not apply to Dartmouth through early decision, here are a couple tips that I could have used when thinking about applying early to a school!
Exploring Chicago with my fellow women engineers from Dartmouth! We explored the city outside of the SWE conference and got to see how exciting Chicago can be.
I applied through Questbridge's National College Match, but did not match. To others who also did not match, this is not the end of your application process! Here's what I did following match decision day.
