Hi there! I'm Nathan, a '27 from Lynn, MA (just outside Boston). I'm an intended Engineering Sciences Major and Studio Art Minor—I like to understand, design, and create things. I also love reading about history, writing, and photography (hence this blog). On-campus, I'm involved in the Triathlon Team, French Living Learning Community (LLC), and Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship. Explore my posts for an inside perspective of everything Dartmouth has to offer!
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 want to start by saying this is just my experience—everyone's college application process is a little different, with its own details and nuances. What worked for me might not work exactly the same way for you, and that's okay.
I didn't really start seriously thinking about college until my sophomore year of high school. I went to a public agricultural and technical high school—not a traditional high school with a full AP lineup or tons of academic electives. But I did have the opportunity to dive deep into environmental science through a specialized Natural and Environmental Sciences program. That program really sparked my interest in biology, engineering, environmental studies, and STEM in general. So, when it came time to think about college, I knew I wanted a school that would support and build on those interests.
Personally, I was looking for a college that would challenge me academically, nurture my hobbies and interests, and connect me with a community I felt at home in. More than anything, I wanted a school that fit my personality—not just a "good school" on paper.
Naturally, that led me down a rabbit hole of research. (Honestly, way too much research.) I spent a lot of time comparing schools, reading about programs, and stressing over whether I would get into the places I really wanted. The anxiety definitely crept in at times.
By my junior year, I started visiting colleges. Since I'm from the Boston area, I focused mostly on New England schools. My parents came along during every tour, and those trips sparked a lot of conversations—not just about academics, but about lifestyle, cost, and what we each thought would make a good "fit."
My first picture of Dartmouth from my camera roll, taken during my tour.
For me, I wanted strong STEM programs, flexibility to combine majors and explore interdisciplinary interests, and easy access to outdoor activities. I also wanted to stay relatively local. For my parents, the two biggest priorities were whether I would be happy—and whether we could afford it (affordability ended up being one of the most important pieces of the entire process). So even as we toured campuses and got a sense of what urban vs. rural schools looked like, or technical vs. liberal arts approaches, cost was always in the back of our minds.
By the summer before senior year, I had narrowed down my list to about six colleges—and Dartmouth stood out as my top choice. The combination of strong academics, a flexible liberal arts curriculum, outdoor opportunities, proximity to home, and solid financial aid made it the best fit for me.
In the fall, I applied Early Decision to Dartmouth. At the same time, I submitted a few Early Action applications to other schools on my list. My thinking was: if I got into Dartmouth and the cost lined up with what we expected, I would commit. If I got in but the cost ended up being way off, I would have to rescind my offer for financial reasons. And if I didn't get in, I'd submit an additional round of regular decision applications for the rest of the schools on my list.
Throughout all of this, I kept communicating with my parents about each possible outcome. I think that's really important—especially if cost is a factor in your decision-making. You want to make sure you're being realistic about what's possible without letting small cost differences be the only thing driving your choice.
As you can probably guess, things ended up working out. In mid-December, I opened my Dartmouth decision and found out I had been accepted. On top of that, Dartmouth's financial aid package turned out to be the best offer I received—only slightly more expensive than attending a local state university. After accepting my offer, I shifted focus to applying for outside scholarships and making the most of the rest of my senior year.
Looking back, the whole process seems like it moved in a straight line—but in reality, I spent so much time making sure Dartmouth was the right choice for me. I visited campus twice, read everything I could find, talked to students and alums. All of that helped, but honestly, the biggest thing was the feeling I got every time I learned more about the school.
If something keeps "clicking" every time you interact with a college—during visits, reading about it, watching videos—I think that feeling is worth paying attention to. Probably more than any list of pros and cons or tiny differences in financial aid packages. I could have saved myself a lot of stress if I had realized that earlier.
In the end, I'm really happy with where I ended up—and so is my family. Thinking about the decision as something we made together helped the whole way through.
If you're thinking about applying to Dartmouth (or are weighing an offer right now), I hope this gives you a little reassurance. Trust yourself, stay open, and don't lose sight of what really matters most to you.
This time last year, I attended Dimensions of Dartmouth, Dartmouth's accepted students day. I had so much fun at Dimensions and it's ultimately the reason I chose Dartmouth!
From meeting some of my best friends to sitting in classes and exploring new parts of campus, read on to see how Dimensions got me excited for college!
