Hello there! I am an avid doodler and caffeine addict who can be spotted in the KAF (the coffee shop in Baker-Berry Library) line every morning. I've grown up skiing in the Rockies, so I'm a huge advocate for low-temp Hanover activities like going to the Skiway or carving an ice sculpture (which I actually learned to do). Currently, some of my favorite memories at Dartmouth are: traveling with the fencing and debate teams and throwing snow at my friends.
Academic Program
Economics Modified with Engineering, Studio Art Minor
Freshman fall flew by! While I unwittingly took some of Dartmouth's more difficult classes, I met so many amazing people and got to explore campus with a fresh set of eyes (I'd never visited before). I also got inspired (after taking my prof to lunch) to pursue a major in economics!
Winter was my favorite term freshman year, largely because I felt more settled into the campus rhythm and took awesome classes. Prof. Kalish (my Writing 5 -- a required class for all freshmen -- professor) was not only fun and insightful, but also made an active effort to connect with every student. It's still the best class I've ever taken.
In my opinion, Hanover is most beautiful in the spring: you see everything from fluffy snowflakes to vibrant blossoms. The weather kept me cheerful, even if spring was my most rigorous term. My favorite class was Econ 22 with Prof. Comin, who led a case-based course that helped us understand the real-world applications of what we were learning. He's also a super cool guy to chat with, and he's done fascinating research.
Most freshmen don't stay "on" their first summer, but I scheduled my D-Plan around my winter internship. Summer didn't disappoint: I love the new friends I made and the classes I took (and I also got super fit from attending two PE classes). Taking Drawing I was also one of the highlights of my summer. It's a lot of work, but I'd rather spend 10 hours on a drawing than 10 hours on a problem set.
I finally met the '22s!! (Seriously, you all are so cool.) This term, I took a class on game theory, which is basically a subject where we literally learn about games. While it was by far my most challenging class this term, I thought that what we learned was super rewarding.
WinterSalt Lake City, UT
I will be "off" this winter for the first time since I got here! I'm interning for a venture capital firm in my hometown, Salt Lake City.
The reason economics is the most popular major at Dartmouth is simple: it's the best subject!
People study economics because they're interested in learning about (and addressing) the world's most pressing issues. Economics isn't limited to finance and business: economics is the study of how people use resources and respond to incentives, and it's also the study of decision-making. So yes, a lot of economics is the study of money, but it's far more multi-faceted than that.
As an officially-declared economics major (finally!), I thought I'd share a little about econ at Dartmouth with you:
No. 1
Introductory Econ (Econ 1):
Most freshmen start out by taking Econ 1 (unless you took AP Micro in high school) to see if they're interested. You'll hear a mixed bag of reviews about Econ 1: people either love it, or they absolutely hate it. That's the point of Econ 1! As an introductory class, it's meant to help you figure out whether or not econ is the right fit for you. Your freshman year is all about exploring your options and learning about what you like, and what you don't. I first arrived on campus thinking I'd be a math major, but Econ 1 changed my mind. It's not an easy class, but I reccomend taking it if you're even remotely interested!
No. 2
Core Major Classes
All econ majors are required to take Econ 20, 21, and 22. I have yet to take Econ 20 (which is essentially a course on statistical analysis of economic data), but I've taken 21 and 22 and loved both of them! Econ 21 and 22 are in-depth classes on the two main divisions of economics -- microeconomics and macroeconomics, respectively. Generally, people who've taken both classes will passionately reccomend one over the other. Personally, I liked Econ 21 (Microeconomics) a bit more, but it's all dependent on what your personal preferences!
No. 3
Major Concentrations
In addition to the core classes, econ majors also need to choose two specific tracks that interest them. These tracks include: industrial organization, money and finance, labor, public, development, and international economics. I haven't figured out my second track yet, but I know that one of my concentrations will be in industrial organization (dubbed the '5s track, because all classes in this field end in the number 5). Industrial organization includes classes on game theory, and competition and strategy.
No. 4
Fellow Econ Friends!
I have friends studying a variety of subjects, but several of my closest friends have varying interests in economics (econ majors, modified majors, and minors). There are also a bunch of organizations on campus that cater to an economics skillset/interest: Women in Business, Dartmouth Consulting Group, Dartmouth Investment and Philanthrophy Program, etc. I'm personally invovled in Women in Business, and it's a great community and network of people.
No. 5
Professors
My econ profs have been wonderful. Dartmouth profs in general are wonderful, but I've taken a pretty good chunk of econ classes, so I can speak best to that department. Dartmouth econ profs are not only super intelligent scholars, but super great people too. I've found that they genuinely care about me and how well I'm learning, so I'm never afraid to pop in during office hours if I'm hopelessly confused. Even after I've finished their classes, I still stop by just to say hi.
One of the things I enjoy most about college is the opportunity to experience a diversity of thought and opinion. My friends range across the political spectrum from red to blue and every shade of purple in between.
Have you ever heard of 'drill'? John A. Rassias, a former professor at Dartmouth, developed an innovative language learning strategy known as the Rassias Method (or the Dartmouth Intensive Language Model) that we use in these drill classes.
