Hello! My name is Mario and I'm a Dartmouth '28. I plan on majoring in Government with a concentration in International Relations (Focusing on Foreign Policy or International Security). During my free time I love spending time down at the Connecticut River or at the Dartmouth Skiway!
In this post, I want to revisit my "Why Dartmouth" supplemental essay. After completing my first academic year at Dartmouth, I want to summarize the numerous opportunities, elements, and experiences in Hanover that have allowed me to feel at home at Dartmouth.
Liberal Arts at the Core of Dartmouth's Curriculum
Dartmouth's liberal arts curriculum offers students a wide range of opportunities to explore various academic disciplines. Dartmouth students take at least 35 academic courses throughout their time at Dartmouth. This leaves plenty of room for academic exploration, allowing students to pursue their multiple interests without having a feeling that they're wasting their time by taking interdisciplinary courses.
An example of this is a Design Thinking course I took in the Department of Engineering. The course focused on learning the different ways to design an item by focusing on human-centered needs. This ranged from designing roller coasters to creating AI-powered solutions that address the specific needs of Dartmouth students. Most importantly, this course taught me skills practical for different disciplines. It improved my interpersonal skills, enhanced my analytical and critical thinking skills, and taught me how to reframe my approach to challenging problems.
Most importantly, this academic opportunity encouraged me to explore different areas to fulfill my distributive requirements—Dartmouth's categorical requirements needed to graduate, which are fulfilled by taking themed classes in various disciplines. Furthermore, each of these distributive requirements teaches students valuable skills—from Social Analysis to Deductive Science—that can be applied to a student's life beyond the academic setting. One course I took to fulfill one of my distributive requirements was International Politics in the Government Department. I loved the content of the course to the point where I changed my major to Government and decided to pursue a concentration in.
Overall, I love the freedom I have to explore interdisciplinary courses and learn "a little bit about everything" while taking away skills that will last me a lifetime.
Every time I walk by Baker-Berry Library, it makes me think of how thankful I am to be a student at Dartmouth; there is something uniquely beautiful about this place.
Professors Who Love to Teach
Dartmouth's professors are some of the most dedicated and curious scholars I have ever met. Their dedication and curiosity intersect with their ability to teach in the classroom. Dartmouth's professors are passionate scholars who love to teach undergraduate students about their respective fields. They constantly encourage students to think critically and outside the box through interactive lectures and discussions.
One of the best things about Dartmouth is that professors teach the vast majority of Dartmouth's classes. This means that professors are incredibly knowledgeable about their fields and can help guide students' interests. This is further exemplified during professors' office hours, where students are encouraged to use this time to ask questions about lectures, explore their interest in the field, or simply have a casual conversation with their professor.
All these factors combined allow students to build close relationships with their professors. These relationships benefit students, as professors can provide academic guidance, offer advice, offer access to academic research, or provide letters of recommendation. Personally, I have spent several office hour sessions discussing academics with professors, seeking professional advice, or engaging in conversations about my interests.
Every time I find myself unable to study or focus, I go for a 30-minute walk or run around Occom Pond—a pond right next to Dartmouth's Campus. It's such a peaceful place to walk around and clear your mind!
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
One of the main highlights of Dartmouth's focus on undergraduates is the opportunity to further one's academic interests by conducting research with a professor. Students can seek research opportunities to collaborate with faculty members within a department or field of interest to conduct research.
Becoming an Undergraduate Research Assistant is a fantastic opportunity for Dartmouth students, as it enables them to learn meaningful research skills while gaining hands-on experience through a specific project. Additionally, Dartmouth provides funding opportunities for undergraduates engaging in research. This is what I have done as a first-year student.
Recently, I started a research assistant position in the Government Department. I am currently assisting a professor in researching nuclear proliferation and U.S.-North Korea relations. This is a fantastic opportunity, given my interest in international relations, international security, and nuclear proliferation. I am both grateful and excited for this opportunity to learn more about global affairs and improve my research skills. Some of my other friends, who are also first-year students, have become research assistants in the Biology Department, DartmouthEngineering, and other departments.
All these great opportunities, combined with a tight-knit community, unparalleled access to New Hampshire's outdoors, and an institution that encourages academic exploration, are what make me call Dartmouth home. In retrospect, I never thought I would love a place and a community as much as I have come to love Dartmouth.
During my sophomore spring quarter, I took on the challenge of four STEM courses, and while it has been intense, the unexpected connections across subjects and the joy of learning have made it one of my most rewarding academic experiences yet.
On the Beijing LSA+, we have real-world Chinese practice every Friday. Last week we went to two neighborhoods, Houhai and Shichahai, and wrote a photo log about our experience. Read along to see what immersive language learning here looks like!
With so many undergraduates hoping to participate in the exceptional atmosphere of the Tuck School of Business, Tuck created programs specifically designed for us. I was fortunate enough to take part in one of them: TuckLAB Entrepreneurship.
