![Me! blog_828 × 1026_brendilou](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x420_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_1226.png?itok=VfJRS9lF×tamp=1663881287)
![blog_3024 × 4032_statepark](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x236_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/bg/img_0689.jpg?itok=7JGxbnvQ×tamp=1663895840)
Brendilou Armstrong
![Me! blog_828 × 1026_brendilou](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x420_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_1226.png?itok=VfJRS9lF×tamp=1663881287)
![blog_3720 × 2790_nebraskasunset](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img-0008.jpg?itok=5-UjPBOx×tamp=1663553310)
Beginning Anew: My Transition From NE to NH
Inhale the clean scent of nature, surround yourself with Hanover's flamboyant foliage, and observe skies void of city lights and skyscrapers as I welcome you to the woods–more specifically, my neck of the woods! My name is Brendilou, a member of Dartmouth's Class of '26, and this is my first blog post! Let's get to know each other.
![blog_1060 × 641_nebraskahorizon](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/wysiwyg_full_width/public/admissions/wysiwyg/img-0188.jpg?itok=meQP71wi)
I come from a place unknown to most, one that is often overlooked on road maps and the Weather Channel: Chadron, a tiny town in northwest Nebraska. Coming from a community smaller than Hanover (approximately 3,000 people smaller), my Ivy League-oriented dreams seemed nearly impossible, both financially and academically. With a student population of only 280, my high school had previously sent only three other students in the span of many years to Ivy League institutions (none of which being Dartmouth). This statistic discouraged me to even apply–that is, until I discovered QuestBridge. As a first-generation, low-income student, the QuestBridge National College Match was a blessing, and matching to Dartmouth seemed to be an act of pure luck.
![blog_828 × 817_circlingdartmouth](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/wysiwyg_full_width/public/admissions/wysiwyg/img_1207.jpg?itok=8v02F2S4)
So for the next few months and years, this blog will act as my diary, showcasing virtual pages of my adventures here at the College on the Hill for you, dear readers. I couldn't be more excited to document the true college experience through the eyes of a first-generation student!
A few fun facts about me: my favorite word is pumpernickel, my favorite type of pen is the black 0.7 Pentel Energel, my favorite niche place to visit is Art Alley in Rapid City, SD, and my favorite movie is La La Land. I am an only child, a Filipino-American, and a prospective software engineer and/or professional musician–I am not entirely sure which yet. But, that's the beauty of Dartmouth: ambiguity is praised, and I couldn't be more excited to take advantage of my indecisiveness!
![blog_890 × 1112_artalley](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/wysiwyg_full_width/public/admissions/wysiwyg/img-0031_2.jpg?itok=hZq1e_x_)
I hope that by the end of my four years here, I'll have discovered my path–but for now, follow me as I lead you on my journey to that point!
Posts You Might Like
![An image of a map of Dartmouth College](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/unnamed_5_800x600.jpg?itok=aUgvuRDu×tamp=1721722730)
In the summer, prospective students might take the time to visit potential colleges and universities to apply to. But what are some things to look for as you peruse campuses and take in the view, especially during the summer? Here are some ideas!
![Olivia Koo - blogger](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/4b596702-2c48-4037-8b1f-db79eeb3e7b0_1_201_a_0.jpg?itok=9S9os9ML×tamp=1663532063)
![Baker Berry Tower looking incredible in the sunset](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/e9d259c7-c85c-4941-bb2e-ffcee6449918.jpg?itok=XCkKsLFQ×tamp=1714684070)
Being in nature is essential—especially here at Dartmouth!
![Luke Grayson '25](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/luke_grayson_25.jpg?itok=EsArUf28×tamp=1632752229)
![My friend who I'm interviewing!](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/screenshot_2024-05-05_at_2.49.11_pm.png?itok=nwy4JGNo×tamp=1714934987)
For any incoming students who are curious about social spaces at Dartmouth, I sat with one of my friends to talk about acapella!
![A picture of me!](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/kabir_beotra.png?itok=V9E9ASKc×tamp=1663883042)
![Mclane Hall looking beautiful during sunset](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/f27f920d-d844-4a3f-8aa4-691438c03a70-min.jpg?itok=UsA_4_a2×tamp=1714682875)
This summer I will be interning in NYC, so here is a blog reflecting on my time here so far and looking forward to the future!
![Luke Grayson '25](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/luke_grayson_25.jpg?itok=EsArUf28×tamp=1632752229)
![An aerial shot of around 40 people crowded in a log cabin. Someone at the front seems to be speaking, with everyone around listening in some kind of a circle.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/5d6c3966-c1ee-430c-b0a1-20bbebae73a3_1_105_c.jpeg?itok=B7agkZlo×tamp=1713558053)
Explaining everything that goes into becoming a Dartmouth tour guide.
![Julia smiling set against some greenery](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/7382cb94-d687-4bfb-8a21-71ed89dfbf02_1_201_a_-_julia_cappio.jpeg?itok=YTR5eHTl×tamp=1694612238)
![A photo of Baker Lobby at Dartmouth College.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/blobby1.jpeg?itok=1Qaah3z3×tamp=1706722741)
In this post, I talk about my experiences navigating the Center for Professional Development at Dartmouth.
![brandon mioduszewski brandon mioduszewski](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_3998.jpg?itok=T-mUNy3B×tamp=1671484713)
![View from Kinsman](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/1000010749.jpg?itok=pnYBe8od×tamp=1707022498)
Wellness is super important in college, but especially at Dartmouth – terms move super quick here! Read on to find out more about my perspectives on the topic at Dartmouth.
![Luke Grayson '25](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/luke_grayson_25.jpg?itok=EsArUf28×tamp=1632752229)
![A photo of Dartmouth Hall with my ski tips in the foreground. My skis are out of focus, whereas Dartmouth Hall is in focus.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_8438.jpeg?itok=MenRsuxM×tamp=1707085351)
Come along with me on a day of skiing and teaching at the Dartmouth Skiway.
![Julia smiling set against some greenery](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/7382cb94-d687-4bfb-8a21-71ed89dfbf02_1_201_a_-_julia_cappio.jpeg?itok=YTR5eHTl×tamp=1694612238)
![picture of baker library](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/howtogetintodartmouth-1024x576.jpeg?itok=2sWtWlCi×tamp=1704174326)
The transition to college is never easy. But going to an academically rigorous and lively school can make it twice as hard. At Dartmouth, it's all about balance. Here are some things I would've liked to be told at the start of the term.
![Portrait of Gabi in front of bikes on a city street](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_4905_-_gabriela_jimenez.jpg?itok=U79bx95P×tamp=1694613008)