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!
As a second year at Dartmouth, the winter term has brought a significant milestone in my academic journey: the major declaration process. Dartmouth students can start declaring their majors during their fifth term "in residence," which corresponds to sophomore winter term for most, including me. Though I am abroad for my sophomore winter, I could still declare my major.
While I initially entered Dartmouth with the preferred majors of Government and Gender Studies, my trajectory has since evolved, showcasing the flexibility and exploration encouraged by the liberal arts environment. As of now, I am working towards majoring in Cognitive Science and possibly minoring in French, a decision that reflects the dynamic nature of the major declaration process. In this blog post, I want to delve into the intricacies of declaring a major, drawing from my personal experiences.
The beauty of Dartmouth lies in its encouragement of exploration, allowing students to chart their academic paths at their own pace. I vividly remember taking my first class with the vague intention of it being "for my major" during my first spring term. Fast forward to the present, and I am on the verge of declaring a major that resonates more deeply with my evolving interests.
The key takeaway from my major declaration journey is the realization that you don't need to have your entire academic path mapped out from the beginning. The freedom to explore diverse disciplines in my first year has been instrumental in helping me articulate and solidify my interests. Government and Gender Studies—my previous intended majors—have given way to the allure of Cognitive Science, a field that aligns more closely with my evolving passions. Looking ahead, my plan for the major involves taking one to two courses each term within the Cognitive Science realm, leaving room for exploration in other departments. I am particularly excited about delving into theater and studio art courses, embracing the interdisciplinary nature of Dartmouth's liberal arts education.
My advice for prospective students grappling with the uncertainty of major choices is simple: embrace the journey. Whether you enter Dartmouth with a clear vision or undecided, the liberal arts ethos allows for an organic exploration of diverse interests. Let your innate curiosity shine through, guiding you towards an authentic and fulfilling academic path.
As I embark on the next phase of my Dartmouth journey, my major declaration reminds me that growth and discovery are continuous processes. The liberal arts philosophy empowers students to cultivate unique intellectual identities, ensuring that each major declaration celebrates individuality and curiosity.
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!
