Hey there! My name is Pau and I am a '25 from Nicaragua! At Dartmouth, I am a Government major modified with Economics and I also plan to minor in International Studies. A little more about me is that I have an undying passion for eating fruit, watching sunrises/sunsets, petting dogs, and finding myself in warm, cozy places. Feel free to ask me any questions on anything and everything that piques your interest about Dartmouth! I love to share :) Go Big Green!
In this class we pondered essential questions centered around human existence. To tackle "What Matters" we took a quest throughout time exploring different events throughout our collective history that have de-centered us in space and time and made us question how we derive meaning and purpose in our lives.
This class was led by Lisa Adams, MD, and Dr. John Butterly, MD, who are both AMAZING. This class discussed several health issues such as diseases, malnourishment, and improper sanitation that still plagues the world today and various solutions that can be undertaken to increase the overall health and wellbeing of the world's population.
A hallmark of the Dartmouth education, ECON 1 "The Price System" is offered during every term at Dartmouth except the summer. Whether or not students want to major in economics, many decide to make the first plunge into the world of supply and demand through this introductory course. ECON 1 was a memorable part of my Freshman Spring as I became engrossed into the economics department through the teachings of Professor Diego Ramos-Toro. This class helped me and other students alike gain an understanding of economic policy and concepts that I continue to be useful today. ECON 1 is a profoundly helpful course that would be beneficial to all students regardless of their academic interests.
Development Economics is a course that focuses on using statistical methodologies to understand a fundamental question what makes some countries rich and others poor? And what can we do about it?
Violence and Security is a class offered through the International Studies Department that seeks to understand the underlying causes of human conflict. To answer this question, the class takes on a multidisciplinary approach and draws from the fields of biology, anthropology, economics, and political science. I loved the way in which the class sought to “illuminate the news” through our discussions and also created a vivid space for us to actively question human behavior and the implications of governmental policy towards security.
Government 5 is one of Dartmouth’s most popular courses. In it, students get a taste for subjects in the international realm by thinking critically about the multiple facets of international politics including questions of conflict and security, global economics and trade, climate change, as well as allegiances and cooperation. I loved the way in which Professor Daryl Press was able to expertly weave current events into the class in order to make students gain a deeper understanding of the topics at hand.
Interview Breakdown: A Guide for Prospective Students
Applying to Dartmouth College is an exciting journey, and a key part of the admissions process is the Dartmouth Admissions Interview. This interview is an opportunity for prospective students to meet with a current Dartmouth student or alumni and discuss their interests, experiences, and why they're interested in the College. Having recently met my two-year mark since I had my own Dartmouth interview, I thought I would talk to the director of the Admissions Ambassador Program, Meg Lysy '99, in order to learn more about this process. Here's what you need to know about the Dartmouth Admissions Interview and some tips to help you prepare.
What is the Dartmouth Admissions Interview?
The Dartmouth Admissions Interview is a way for the College to get to know you beyond what's written in your application. The interview is conducted by a current Dartmouth senior or alumnus. Interviewers are usually from a region near you and are trained to ask questions and assess your fit for the College. The interview is an opportunity for you to share more about yourself and ask any questions you may have about Dartmouth.
What is the purpose of admissions interviews?
Dartmouth puts a lot of effort into organizing and conducting interviews by overseeing an extensive volunteer network composed of alumni. This is all done in order to give students an opportunity to share about themselves in a more informal manner. Admissions officers really want to learn more about who you are as a person, so use this opportunity to share!
How are interviews conducted?
Interviewers will contact applicants to arrange a time and modality for the interview. Interviews usually last between 30-45 minutes. During this time, you will be asked questions about yourself, so show up willing to share! You should expect questions about academics and extracurriculars as well as future aspirations; you can see some sample questions here. While it can definitely be nerve-rattling, interviewers are there to hear your story for your benefit, so shake the nerves! Be prepared to tell your interviewer more about yourself.
How to Prepare for the Dartmouth Admissions Interview
Research the College: Before your interview, take some time to research Dartmouth College. Read about the academic programs, extracurricular activities, and student life. Interviewers will want to know what about Dartmouth appeals to you, so knowing the basics about the College will give you a foundation for your conversation.
Bring a resumé:All interviewers know about you is your name, contact information, and high school. While not at all necessary, providing them with a brief resumé could be helpful for them to understand more about the things you do and give them an overview of your interests and extracurriculars. This could also help you feel as if you don't have to rattle through everything you spend time on. During the interview, providing detail and nuance in your application can be more helpful. Use this as an opportunity to offer more insight into who you are as a person, maybe by talking about things that you haven't had the opportunity to share elsewhere in your application.
Review Your Application:Review your application before the interview to refresh your memory about the experiences and accomplishments you've shared with the College. This can also help you think about how you can elaborate on these experiences during the interview.
Prepare Questions: Come up with a few questions you'd like to ask your interviewer about their experience at Dartmouth. This is a great opportunity to learn more about what it's like to be a student there.
Be Yourself:Remember, the interview is not an evaluation, it's a conversation. The interviewer wants to get to know you, so be yourself, share your experiences and interests, and let your personality shine through. By being confident you will be better able to tell your story and allow your interviewer to convey that in their report. Attitude is everything.
Express Your Gratitude: Interviewers are taking the time and effort to meet with you, so sending them a short thank you email or expressing your thanks in person would be a really nice gesture.
What if you didn't get to talk about something?
During your conversation, interviewers might not ask you about something you wanted to cover. Don't be afraid to take ownership of the conversation. This is your time to add detail, clarify, or talk about things that didn't come up in the regular flow of conversation. No one can tell your story as well as you can, so take ownership! Remember that interviewers want to learn as much about you as possible. Don't be afraid!
Final Thoughts
The Dartmouth Admissions Interview is an important part of the admissions process, but it's just one part. Your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and essays are just as important. The interview is an opportunity to showcase your personality, interests, and fit for the College, and by preparing beforehand, you'll be well on your way to making a great impression.
Good luck, and we hope these tips will help you as you prepare for your Dartmouth Admissions Interview!
Planning on visiting Dartmouth as a prospective student or an interested person wanting to see our beautiful campus? In this post, I share insider tips to ensure your visit is fulfilled!
When I was in high school, applying to college seemed to be the hardest and scariest thing. I had no clue what to expect at all. So, I decided to share my thought-process regarding choosing to go to Dartmouth!
