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!
Taught by Professor Andrew Simon, this course explored histories of the Middle East and North Africa through film, media, and supporting texts. From French Algeria to the Armenian Genocide and the Egyptian Revolution, each week centered on critical engagement with audiovisual material and primary sources. Through reflections, discussions, and a final research project, students examined how media shapes collective memory and questions of voice, power, and resistance. Thoughtful, rigorous, and deeply transformative, this course reshaped how I think about both history and storytelling.
This course offered a dynamic exploration of Paris’s art and architecture, grounding students in the city’s cultural and historical foundations. Weekly lectures established a theoretical framework spanning Paris’s origins, key art movements, and the evolution of its monuments. Our Wednesday site visits made this course truly unforgettable, where we stood before the very landmarks we studied, turning theory into lived experience.
Navigating College Decisions with a Family New to the Process
When I look back at my college admissions process, I am so beyond grateful to have had the emotional support of my family in my pursuit of an education overseas. Their encouragement and belief in me never wavered, even as we navigated an admissions system that was entirely new to my family.
The US college admissions process is, in many ways, uniquely complex. Between standardized tests, essays, financial aid applications, and acceptance timelines, it's a system that often feels convoluted even to those growing up within it. For my family, who had not been exposed to this system before, understanding its intricacies was a challenge.
When I received my Dartmouth acceptance at the end of the regular decision cycle, my parents' questions revolved around two key concerns.
Their major concern was for me to have access to stellar academics would make it "worth it" for me to travel across the ocean. My family and I were confident that Dartmouth situated itself as a small liberal arts, undergraduate-focused college with the robust resources of a large research university. Knowing that I wanted to get into research in my desired academic field—which I ended up doing over the past three years—Dartmouth's size and focus on the pursuit of knowledge immediately presented itself as an amazing fit for my aspirations.
The other piece of that puzzle was affordability. Given that Dartmouth had given me one of the most comprehensive financial aid packages out of those I received, I knew that an education at Dartmouth was possible regardless of my family's income.
A third aspect for my family, perhaps the least concrete out of the three, was simply how I felt about the prospect of going to the school of my choosing. I did not tour a single school before applying, so my impression of schools was informed by my interactions during online programming. Dartmouth's online programming ahead of decision day gave me a concrete idea of what my life at Dartmouth could look like, and that is when I knew committing to Dartmouth felt right. The day before the commitment deadline, me, my sister, and my dad gathered in front of my computer to officially commit to Dartmouth.
My dad sporting Dartmouth gear on our hiking trip :)
I am forever grateful for their support for my aspirations and—ultimately—their continued support throughout my undergraduate years at Dartmouth. Their trust in me allowed me to make the decision to commit to Dartmouth, and for that, I will always be thankful.
Once you are here, Dartmouth ensures that you have the tools you need to thrive, regardless of where you start. Read on to discover some of Dartmouth's lesser-known resources!
