Estelle Stedman

Or, as I would have phrased this one year ago: “Are you happy with your decision?”

Allow me to preface my answer with something I truly do believe: there is no one right decision. There may be a couple wrong ones, by which I mean schools that don’t align with your interests or intentions. Considering that the college process is intended for students to find a place that is right for them, it seems most important to identify schools that do work for your intentions and apply to them. Dartmouth was the school that best fit my interests and intentions, so I am very pleased to be here. Dartmouth isn’t perfect, but it can be a home if you let it. And that goes for any college that appeals to you! 

Yes. But it wasn’t the soul-crushing missing I had anticipated (as a certified homebody). The people here are incredible… not only that, but making friends is relatively simple when everyone is far from home and eager for positive socialization. We can’t be lonely forever, right? 

Dartmouth truly does create a “profound sense of place.” It was difficult to compare “home” with Dartmouth, as Seattle’s winding pavement and modern housing are so at odds with New Hampshire’s stately homes blanketed by leaves in the fall and snow in winter. The strangeness of attending college on the other side of the country made the term feel like one big adventure. I eagerly documented the changing of the seasons and best coffees I could find, gleefully exchanging updates with my family. Though I wasn't with them, we were definitely included in each others lives. 

I’ll plead the fifth until winter term. I don’t think I’ve earned an opinion yet. 

College offers reflective opportunities left and right. In between walks to classes or while studying, I occasionally consider what exactly led me to Dartmouth. I’ve certainly done lots of soul-searching for this blog in my attempts to provide authentic advice... and still haven’t arrived at any single answer. While many students credit “Dimensions”, “the people,” “the academics” or “school culture” with their decision to attend, we’ve all got far more reasons than that. Just as college admissions officers don’t merely look at our test scores during admission (thankfully!) or esteem our characters based on grade-point-averages, students often transpose their college options with an equally wide range of “holistic” criterion. I arrived here on the good advice of my loved ones, the surprise and gratitude I felt for the opportunity, and dozens more reasons that my “Why Dartmouth” essay didn’t even begin to cover. 

Who knows why we all end up where we do? But as college admissions season reaches its final month, I’m sending you all incredibly good wishes. You will be fine no matter where you go! And, if you decide Dartmouth is the place for you, then I look forward to meeting on campus. 

Now, having donned my Dartmouth skiing cap, ‘tis time to settle down for a long winter’s nap. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all, and to all a good night!