Hey! I'm Owen from Hollywood, Florida and I'm a '24. My favorite activities are listening to music, running, and reading the same books over and over again. I'm an intended Biology major and Earth Science minor who loves "The New Yorker," science-y stuff, and reading. On campus, I can't wait to get involved with the Club Triathlon Team, the Latin American Student Association, the Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science, and—of course—this blog!
With Early Decision deadlines right around the corner, I thought I'd share a moment that made me super excited to submit my Early Decision application about a year ago. Since I have a sister who's a '22—currently a junior—I had the amazing opportunity to visit campus not only as a prospective student, but also a family member during her first-year family weekend.
My sister and I pose for a selfie after grabbing lunch at Collis Cafe on campus.
We left Florida super early and schlepped our way to Hanover, arriving to unexpectedly amazing Thai food at Tuk Tuk, frigid May weather (I couldn't believe it was that cold during the end of spring), and some of my sister's friends, who convinced us to go to an a capella showcase. After shoveling our faces with Pad See Ew, we walked to the Hopkins Center for the Arts not really knowing what to expect; I mean—our only experience with a capella thus far in life was watching "Pitch Perfect."
Searching for seats in the already crowded theater, the show began and out came the first a capella group; I honestly can't remember which group it was, but I distinctly remember noticing how much fun they seemed to be having and how each group showed a distinct personality. A common theme: they were all completely comfortable dressed in silly costumes and dancing their hearts out to their songs.
Watching the a capella groups trying to get a laugh out of the audience through their costuming and choreography showed me that Dartmouth's culture was open and fun, and I totally wanted to be a part of a community like that. Moral of the story: pay attention to the arts while considering a school—they can tell you so much about the student culture.
And while I had the opportunity to watch the performances in person, watching them virtually can still give you so much information about how comfortable students feel being silly on campus. Check out a school's dance, improv, and a capella groups through social media to try and get a glimpse into how student artists express themselves. YouTube, TikTok, Instragram, and Spotify can definitely help with your college search process (despite what your parents/guardians may say), so take advantage of your virtual resources and follow some student-run art and comedy accounts from Dartmouth and other peer institutions on your list. You never know, you might see something that makes you fall in love with a school—like I did. To all the potential '25s: I'm beyond excited to see you on campus soon (just a year left)!
I have officially settled into my new dorm! Come take a peek at what residential life is like, and some opportunities that might come after the quarantine!
After a six week break, I'm back. My winterim was a fun mix of staying at home, binge-watching Survivor, celebrating the holidays, and enjoying the Southern Californian landscape, so I'm feeling refreshed to dive back into blogging!
One of my favorite things to do as a Dartmouth student is going to all the various talks, lecture series, and events that the school holds throughout the year. Here's why!
The college search is a daunting process. Where does one even begin? How does one navigate this sea of webinars, virtual tours, and student panels? Read on for some tips!
A school had to meet three criteria for me to consider it a "good fit": academics, location, and community. After researching about Dartmouth and visiting the campus, I realized that this school was not a good fit for me-- it was a perfect fit.
This winter, I will resume classes on campus again -- a little older, a little wiser, and yet no less excited to fall countless times while attempting to ice skate. Upper Valley winter, here I come!
From the pandemic to the election, to online learning, every month seemed to be a new level of Jumanji. However, we have made it. And though 2020 has given me great lessons and experiences, I am looking forward to this new year and for what it holds.
My sister and I pose for a selfie after grabbing lunch at Collis Cafe on campus.
