Hey y'all! My name is Mario and I'm from Springdale, Arkansas. I currently plan on majoring in Economics with a minor in QSS. I'm so excited to share my Dartmouth journey with all of you!
Academic Program
Economics with a Minor in Quantitative Social Sciences
In this post, I would like to talk about a program I participated in as a rising senior in high school called Dartmouth Bound. Dartmouth Bound is a program run by the Dartmouth Admissions Office where about one hundred and fifty rising seniors in high school are chosen through an application process to visit Dartmouth on a 4-day immersive experience over the summer. Dartmouth Bounders—what students participating in Dartmouth Bound are called—are allowed to fly or take a bus from their home state to Dartmouth, stay in student dorms, meet professors and current students, and get to experience Dartmouth at its fullest during the summer quarter!
The first time I heard about Dartmouth Bound, and honestly Dartmouth at all, was on a random spring day when I was going through my email, and I saw the title "Be Dartmouth Bound this Summer!" Of course, I completely disregarded the email and kept scrolling through all my unread emails. It wasn't until my counselor forwarded the email to me again and told me about the opportunities this program offered: a four-day all-expenses-paid visit at this college!
Of course, I could not say no to that.
I applied and did not think much of it afterward until I found out a month and a half later I got into the program!
In mid-July, Dartmouth flew me from Arkansas all the way to Boston and then paid for my bus from Boston's airport to Dartmouth's Campus. My visit started by meeting my DBLs—lingo for Dartmouth Bound Leaders—who were current Dartmouth '25s staying at Dartmouth for their summer term and the rest of my Dartmouth Bound group. Dartmouth Bounders were sorted into several different small groups—about ten to fifteen Bounders per group—to allow everybody in the group to get to know each other better and form good friendships. I was part of group D—the best group, of course.
This is a picture of me with my Dartmouth Bound group on our first day on campus!
On my first day on campus, I participated in several activities alongside my group. First, we all had breakfast with our two DBLs and explored campus for a little while. After that, my group and I participated in an event organized by the Admissions Office, which was an 'Admissions Case Study.' This was especially helpful for me and many others in my group as it helped us understand how applications were read by admission officers and helped dissect the admissions process by asking questions directly to the admission officers.
Throughout the day, we had several different activities to help us understand the admissions process, such as 'Essay Workshops' to help us brainstorm ideas for our Common App applications or 'College Interview Workshops' to help us gain an idea of how best to convey our life story through our "Alumni Interview"—an interview during the admissions process where some students are given the possibility to speak with a Dartmouth Alum.
Later in the day, all Dartmouth Bound students were given the opportunity to roam campus freely, explore the town, and simply get to know Dartmouth better.
Look at this beautiful picture I took of Baker-Berry Library on my first night at Dartmouth!
During our second day, my group and I had even more activities than the day before. This day, we were able to attend several mock classes that were prepared to give us an insight into what an average class at Dartmouth feels like. It featured an intimate environment with about fifteen to twenty Dartmouth Bound students and a lecturing Professor. My class was a lecture about environmental science and sustainable rooftop gardens.
Then, we had several more activities that included a movie, several games such as soccer or frisbee on the Dartmouth Green—the big courtyard in front of Dartmouth Hall—and mafia with my group in our student dorms!
To finish up the program, we had dinner with several admission officers at the Hanover Inn—a luxury hotel in front of the Green—where we were able to make conversation and talk even more with Admission Officers about our doubts about the admissions process, aspirations for the future, and our lives and hobbies.
A picture of the final farewell dinner at the Hanover Inn with my Dartmouth Bound group, my DBL, and an Admissions Officer.
After the dinner, I turned in for the night and prepared for my trip back to Arkansas—which was still paid for by Dartmouth.
Therefore, Dartmouth Bound is a great opportunity for anyone who would like to learn more about the admissions process at Dartmouth, get to know wonderful people from all around the United States, and simply have a good time exploring a small college in New Hampshire. Thus, for any prospective students, if you want to spend a couple of days at Dartmouth during your summer as a rising high school senior, please apply to Dartmouth Bound!
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