Hi there! I'm Nathan, a '27 from Lynn, MA (just outside Boston). I'm majoring in Engineering Sciences modified with Studio Art—I like to understand, design, and create things. I also love reading about history, biology, writing, and photography (hence this blog). On-campus, I'm involved in the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship, as well as the Triathlon and Cycling Teams. Outside of class, you'll probably catch me drinking coffee somewhere or out on my bike.
I took this class to explore the Biology Department and it ended up defining my freshman Fall. I grew close with other biology-minded students and together we delved deep into cellular mechanisms and processes in a fast-paced environment. The labs were long but rewarding and everything about this class made me a better scientist—Professor Bezanilla is an amazing teacher! I would recommend this class to anyone with a passion for biology and research.
“Who do I want to be?” is a question that I frequently ask myself as an undergraduate (and I’m sure you will as well). A good place to begin answering this question, however, is “Who am I ?” Taking Investigative Memoir as my first-year seminar allowed me to explore this question via personal reflection and expressive writing—something that has helped me frame my identity at Dartmouth with the rest of my life. College can be a surreal experience, but Professor Sharlet’s introduction to the world of creative nonfiction has given me the ability to transform my own perceptions into tangible, recorded stories.
As a kid I drew a lot; I was inspired by architectural books like “Pyramid” and “Castle” and fascinated by illustrations in “The Way Things Work.” All of these books are by the author David Macaulay—and I had the opportunity to take this very class with him! I completed weekly sketchbook exercises, worked on visually communicating inventions, and was able to receive personal feedback. The theme of visual illustration as a tool in engineering resonated strongly with me, inspiring my interest in an engineering major modified with studio art. Given my long relationship with his work, this class was truly a dream come true.
SummerAmherst, Massachusetts
I interned at a running biomechanics research lab in Amherst, MA, to explore my interests in kinesiology and running shoe design! I was able to self-fund the internship through a grant from the Dartmouth Center for Professional Development (CPD). I spent the rest of my summer reading, spending time with family, and took a trip to Quebec before returning to campus.
The first of a two-part series on classical mechanics, this class made physics refreshing and enjoyable. The content came primarily through lectures given by Professor Caldwell, who was extremely clear and made each class memorable with demonstrations, jokes, or historical tangents. The lab section, which involved hands-on physics experiments, reinforced my understanding of the material in a practical sense. I took this course as an engineering requirement, and I found it to be my favorite quantitative course thus far.
I delved into the process of using digital design tools—such as the Adobe Suite, Rhino 3D, and Fusion 360—to create projects that used computer driven manufacturing methods like laser cutting and 3D printing. This class was right up my alley as the assignments required a hybrid of creative and technical thinking. My favorite projects included a making my own lamp, decorative tiles, and an architecture miniature. Overall, this class expanded my design skills and further solidified my pursuit of a Studio Art minor.
I learned about the history of New York, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles through a series of group discussions and presentations. Professor Orleck was an amazing lecturer and guided us through topics like labor reform, corruption, infrastructure, and economics across each city. The final project was an open research paper, and I chose to write about the evolution of culture in Boston's North End. Overall, this class reshaped my perspective of cities and allowed me to fulfill a SOC distributive requirement.
A classic engineering course in which I learned about rigid body statics, the behavior of deformable elastic solids, and how to build a system that can withstand load. The final group project was a truss bridge laser-cut out of wood that involved multiple rounds of simulation and computer-aided-design (CAD). In the end, it held over 20 kN, or about 4,500 pounds! I loved how this class changed the way I interacted with everyday physical objects and think about structures!
Building Software at Dartmouth: Interviewing Ranvir '26
I first met Ranvir during an event at the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship and connected with his passion for programming—and how he uses Dartmouth as a platform to build meaningful projects. His side projects have turned into tools that are widely used on campus—like CourseMe, MemeMe, and now Signpact. I decided to sit down and interview him to learn more about his efforts to make an impact through software. I think Ranvir is an example of how many Dartmouth students are able to leverage the community's resources to build and scale projects.
What brought you to Dartmouth?
"I first discovered Dartmouth in 9th grade through the 'Dartmouth's Happy'video on YouTube. I also read about Sanborn Library on the website, kept browsing through different pages, and just fell in love with the place. I liked the vibe I could feel online and in the "Dartmouth's Happy" video. I didn't overanalyze academics back then and the feeling stuck. Coming here years later as an international student and recreating that videoduring my first year felt full circle—I actually made the same one soon after arriving on campus."
Why did you choose to do computer science and make software at Dartmouth?
"I'm obsessed with building things people want—ideally at a scale where lots of people use them. Software felt like the fastest medium to turn ideas into products. After taking the intro CS course, I felt like something clicked. I started coding, shipping projects, and realized this is how I want to spend my time."
In what ways have you been able to make an impact with software on campus?
"The biggest impact has been around course planning. I saw that students were frustrated—existing tools were unreliable or down—so we built something that actually worked and met a real need. It's called CourseMe. It spread by word of mouth. Today, over 4,000 students use it, including hundreds of incoming first-years. For now, my biggest footprint is on campus, but the approach scales."
Could you tell me more about other software projects you've built at Dartmouth?
"During my first year I built MemeMe, a five-second meme-maker for students. It was fun and got some traction, but it wasn't a real need—just another social app. I do think a turning point was CourseMe. We pull course data, built our own pipelines and architecture, and layered in AI—cleaner search, summaries, reviews, and metrics—so choosing classes is faster and smarter. And because it solved a real problem, it took off. However, it did take me my previous projects to get to CourseMe!"
What do you think is special about the community around CS, software, and entrepreneurship at Dartmouth?
"Dartmouth's size is a superpower. The campus is close-knit, so good ideas go viral and you get fast feedback. I found collaborators and friends who tested, shared, and pushed me. I was also inspired by my parents who work in business, so entrepreneurship felt natural—pair that with the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship and the Dartmouth Venture Studio, and you get mentorship, community, and a path from project to venture. The students are the biggest resource, and the institutional support helps you level up."
What advice would you give to prospective students interested in building software at Dartmouth?
"Start early and ship. Classes will help, but you'll also learn by building lots of small projects and using all of Dartmouth's resources. With AI, prototyping is quicker than ever—launch on campus, watch how people use your product, iterate, repeat. Plug into the Magnuson Center and meet other builders. Don't over-script your path; show up curious, be okay with stumbles, and let the work pull you forward. Dartmouth is a great testing ground—use the community, listen hard, and build what people actually need."
Ranvir and his friend Erik presenting their latest project and now startup: Signpact AI.
I think Ranvir's path demonstrates how much Dartmouth supports its students both through formal coursework and skillbuilding as well as encouraging independent projects and ventures. He chose Dartmouth because it genuinely felt "right," started by building smaller projects like MeMe for fun, transitioned to CourseMe to make a larger impact, and now he's working on SignPact, a startup automating the e-signature process and contract workflow.
In a close-knit place like Dartmouth, useful tools spread fast; CourseMe has started to become an integral part of campus. It wasn't just code that got him to this point, though, it was his friends who collaborated and gave honest feedback, and support from the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship (read more about my experience with their opportunities here). These resources helped turn a project into something bigger. If you're interested in computer science here, think of Dartmouth as a playground for building: try an intro project-based coding class, stop by Magnuson events, meet other makers, and start with identifying a problem to solve as simply as possible. Dartmouth offers the friendships, pace, and support to turn curiosity into software that makes campus a better place.
As I begin my junior year, I feel my time at Dartmouth shifting from exploration to deeper focus, with my studies, experiences, and passions beginning to take clear shape.
One of the most unique traditions at Dartmouth is sophomore summer, where students stay on campus to take classes the summer before their junior year. My sophomore summer has been an incredibly special experience!
Senior Fall brings an eventful and diverse courseload, taking up almost all of my time! Find out what I am involved with this term and the incredible variety of classes that Dartmouth has to offer!
Summers between terms look different for every Dartmouth student! Opportunities are abundant and it's all what you make it out to be. This summer I interned on the Clean Energy Team at Wood PLC and traveled home to see my sister get married!
