The always stunning view from Mt Cardigan - pictured are Mts. Moose, Holt's Ledge, Winslow Ledge, and Smarts
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A landscape photo of an orange and red sunset in the distance framed by mountains and trees.

One of the things I love most about Dartmouth is how it encourages you to explore seemingly unrelated interests and find unexpected connections between them. As an engineering major likely minoring in studio art, this summer's course load perfectly captures part of what makes Dartmouth special—the ability to pursue more technical training alongside creative expression!

The cornerstone of my engineering requirements this summer is ENGS 22: Systems—a class that engineering majors at Dartmouth will take. The course is math-heavy, covering ordinary differential equations and the modeling of electrical and mechanical systems, but what makes it engaging is how every equation connects to real-world applications. You learn to take any complex scenario and develop a quantitative framework to understand it. What strikes me most is how this systematic approach to problem-solving mirrors the design thinking that Dartmouth emphasizes across all disciplines, even in my art classes.

My second engineering course, ENGS 33: Solid Mechanics, introduces the physics behind real-world mechanical systems through statics, dynamics, stress, and strain. This canonical engineering class gives you a solid foundation in structural mechanics, but Dartmouth's hands-on approach makes it much more than just theory. A large portion focuses on design, culminating in building a truss bridge from laser-cut plywood. Along with traditional lectures, we have lab sessions learning Solidworks and testing materials using an Instron machine, with a competitive bridge-testing finale that adds that element of fun.

A landscape image of a series of small model bridges made of cut plywood.
Student bridges from past classes!

On the creative side, I'm taking SART 16: Sculpture, which represents the studio art component of my academic journey. Dartmouth's studio art department offers incredible opportunities for both majors and non-majors to explore creative practice, and this class exemplifies why I'm pursuing the minor. Sculpture teaches you to make decisions by observing your work and trusting visual intuition—a wholly different but equally valid approach to problem-solving. I'm currently finishing my first piece made from bamboo and rice paper. I've begun to realize that constraints can fuel creativity.

What's remarkable about Dartmouth is how these courses inform each other rather than existing in isolation. My engineering classes teach systematic thinking and precision, while sculpture develops visual intuition and iterative creativity. Both require working within constraints to find innovative solutions, and this interdisciplinary approach is what feels natural at Dartmouth.

For prospective students considering Dartmouth, know that you don't have to choose between technical rigor and creative expression. This combination of courses perfectly reflects what drew me to Dartmouth: a place where you can pursue engineering excellence while exploring your artistic side, all within a community that celebrates intellectual curiosity in all its forms.

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