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.
When I get interested in something, I tend to go all in and follow the deepest rabbit holes—it's a form of periodic fascination that simply comes from my curiosity. Sometimes these interests lead me to pursuits like speedcubing or an obscure page on Wikipedia, and sometimes these interests lead me to things like researching colleges and reading this very blog (long before I wrote for it).
Maybe I was mildly obsessed with the places where I could spend my next four years, but I was content to browse website after website and binge admissions podcasts (like The Admissions Beat by Dean Lee Coffin). I read a few books on the college search and essentially spent my free time trying to download all things college-related to my mind. My philosophy was to "embrace the process" and reflect on what I truly wanted.
So I started with what I wanted out of college. I knew I wanted a place relatively close to home; I knew I could enjoy unparalleled access to nature; I knew I could thrive in academic flexibility—and, most importantly, I knew I wanted a close-knit community of supportive, intellectually minded, and adventurous people.
This already narrowed my list and brought Dartmouth to the forefront of my attention. Then I visited in the fall of my junior year during a slightly dreary November day…and the place "clicked" with me. Even though my tour was strictly outdoors since it was the early post-COVID days, I still felt a connection to the place. I visited around a half dozen other institutions during my college search and always thought of the exercise as a "vibe check"—Dartmouth passed that vibe check.
I loved the sense of New Hampshire that pervaded the campus—an amalgamation of deciduous trees, green mountains, and pine-scented air that simply screamed "New Hampshire!" I'd frequented the state growing up, so maybe part of me felt like I was perpetually on a camping trip when on campus. Regardless, I knew Dartmouth was my top choice by the beginning of my senior fall.
The first picture of Baker-Berry Library taken on my phone—from the original tour!
Lastly, I'll add that there was one other important factor that led me to apply Early Decision. I happened to come from a high school that had never sent a student to an Ivy League school, and like all stressed seniors, I didn't like to think about outcomes to the decision process. I realized that applying ED would still allow me to seek out other college options even if the application didn't go my way—and it made sense considering my commitment to Dartmouth. I also trusted in Dartmouth's financial aid, hoped that my package would be affordable, and knew that an inability to pay would release me from the binding agreement signed as a part of Early Decision.
Ultimately, I think my experience demonstrates that if one knows Dartmouth is their top choice then it makes sense to apply early. If you're wondering how I engaged in self-reflection across my college search, go read about this question: who do you want to be in college?
Feeling slightly delirious at the end of a long bike ride to the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge—a Dartmouth adventure for sure!
Now that I am more than a half into my Dartmouth experience, I have grown and learned about the world in ways that I would never have anticipated. How do I feel about it? Where do I hope to go next?
Choosing the right college is a critical decision that extends beyond mere rankings. Without the benefit of campus visits, it's vital to thoroughly research and understand each institution to ensure a fulfilling and safe experience.
Summer is a great time for high school students to visit campuses and better make sense of the schools they want to apply to. In this blog, I will talk about some advice to make the most of your campus visit.
