Hi everyone! I'm Madison. I grew up in Pasadena, California, but spent eight years living in Manila, Philippines, and one year in Spain. I'm planning to double major in Film and Media Studies and Sociology, with a minor in Human-Centered Design. I love spending quality time with people and having good conversations. I'm so excited to share my college journey with you!
Academic Program
Majors in Film and Media Studies and Sociology, Minor in Human Centered Design
First of all, congratulations! Getting into Dartmouth is a huge accomplishment, and you should be proud of all the hard work you have done. We can't wait for you to experience Dimensions!
If you're wondering what Dimensions of Dartmouth is, it's Dartmouth's admitted students weekend held annually to welcome our new class! There are two dates set about two weeks apart from one another. Attending Dimensions is a great opportunity to explore campus life, learn about clubs and programs, attend classes, meet professors, and connect with potential peers. I know it can be more difficult for some accepted students—like international students—due to the travel involved, but if you have the opportunity to attend Dimensions, I highly recommend you go.
Reflecting on Dimensions, I can't help but feel a tad sentimental. Exactly one year ago, I was in your shoes. I flew six hours from California to Boston, then took the Dartmouth Coach up to Hanover. I arrived at Dartmouth a day early and spent three nights—two nights with my sister (who was a '24) and one with a friend from the class of '27. Myfirst YouTube videowas actually about Dimensions, so if you're interested, you can check it out to see how it went.
My sister, a graduating senior from the Class of '24, and I, a newly admitted '28, outside the Co-op!
Dimensions events officially kicked off in the evening with a visit to Foco (Dartmouth's dining hall). We sat upstairs, and that's when I met one of my really good, lifelong friends, Ethan. Together, we tried Foco cookies for the first time, which was iconic. I was stoked to try them since everyone has always raved about how warm, gooey, and delicious they are!
Ethan and I trying Foco cookies for the first time. Since then, our lives have forever changed.
At Dimensions, some of the activities listed on the schedule are more of a guideline than a strict plan, so you have the flexibility to choose which ones you want to participate in. I had plenty of free time to meet people I'd connected with on Instagram, hang out with new friends, or spend time with students I already knew.
There were board games set up in McNutt Hall, so after dinner, I joined for a bit and met some new people. Then, I met up with another friend from the class of '27, who I went to school with when I lived in the Philippines. He showed me around campus and took me to Late Night for the first time, a unique service where students can grab snacks at the main dining hall from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. I remember thinking Late Night was really cool and loving the laid-back vibe created by the dim lighting. On top of that, it was fun being with my upperclassman friends and watching them run into people everywhere we went.
I kicked off the next day with breakfast at Collis with one of my '27 friends, then went to two classes I'd signed up for: CHIN 3 and PSYC 1. I was initially nervous about taking a language at Dartmouth, but sitting in on the Chinese Class helped ease those worries. The professor, Li Lao Shi, made the class interactive and engaging, and by the end, I was genuinely excited about taking a language class here.
Later in the day, while touring various buildings and spaces, I had the chance to chat with knowledgeable upperclassmen who shared insights about student resources and clubs on campus and offered some practical advice. Though I hadn't registered in advance as a '28, my sister's friend invited me to sit in on one of her film history classes since she knew this was an academic interest of mine. The professor was very nice about letting me join, and there was another '28 there who asked if it was okay to sit in as well. The class itself was interesting, and I was especially taken by the classroom, which felt more like a theater. However, since it was three hours long, I didn't stay for the entire time.
As I was leaving the Visual Arts Center (the building where film classes are held), I spotted Daphne, the '28 I'd seen earlier, walking by. I approached her and asked where she was headed. She didn't have any plans, so we decided to make the most of the day. We used some Dartmouth discounts to check out Scoops, an ice cream shop in town, picked up a free drawstring bag, and even tried on clothes at the Co-op. It was so fun and spontaneous, and I'm so grateful I met Daphne because she ended up becoming one of my closest friends at Dartmouth!
Afterward, I had dinner with a large group of '28s. We somehow managed to find a big table in the dining hall to fit all of us.
A group photo we took! We might try to have a Dimensions reunion dinner this year.
In conclusion, I absolutely loved Dimensions, and I'm so excited for all of you '29s to experience it! Personally, I applied Early Decision to Dartmouth, so coming to campus knowing this was the place I was going to be made everything feel real and even more exciting. For those of you still deciding which school to attend, I hope being here helps you figure out if Dartmouth feels like the right fit. Either way, attending Dimensions after the admissions process really made all the stress of applying feel totally worth it. I can't wait to meet you all!
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