Hi everyone! I'm Rika, a semi-international '28 from Japan, India, and Malaysia. I'm interested in studying women, gender, and sexuality studies, as well as public policy, global health, and biology while also being on the pre-health track! In my free time, I love to read books, cook and bake, play violin, spend time with animals, be sarcastic, and drink hot drinks (especially teas)! I'm so excited to share my exploration of Dartmouth with everyone :)
Academic Program
Intended WGSS on the Pre-Health track
Favorite Thing Right Now
Decorating my dorm to make it more homey! Also the FOCO ice cream bar :)
Sex, Gender, and Society is a class in the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) department. It focuses on how gender and sexuality are represented in the media and explores different ways society shapes our perspectives. This discussion-based class features multiple group projects, which allowed me to meet and interact with many of my classmates, which was super helpful in my first term! Fun fact: this class taught me how to plan, film, and edit a podcast on campus!
When I was making my college decision, my parents told me that regardless of what they thought, in the end, my own happiness and excitement for attending school was the most important thing. So, while I was in the depths of decision, they didn't impose their personal values and opinions onto me. However, I greatly valued my parents' perspectives and wanted to hear their thoughts, so before finalizing my choice, I asked them what they thought about my options.
One of the most important factors my parents considered was safety. As my parents live far from the U.S., ensuring that I would be in a secure environment was vital for their peace of mind. This factor turned out to be quite impactful in my decision-making process, as Hanover is one of the safest college towns I have ever been to. Its quaintness contributes to this sense of security, and it was evident from my visit that students felt safe at all times. However, the size of both the campus and the town was a minor concern for my parents. Having grown up exclusively in large, metropolitan environments, they wondered whether I would be happy in a smaller town like Hanover. This was a significant consideration since I would be spending four years there. But remembering how I felt when I toured Dartmouth, I knew I would enjoy every moment.
One of my favorite views of campus
Another factor my parents found especially attractive about Dartmouth was its undergraduate focus. Both of my parents have experience in American academia and are familiar with the practice of graduate or PhD students teaching undergraduates, as they have taught a few courses themselves. When they learned that virtually all courses at Dartmouth, even the larger entry-level ones, are taught by professors, they were delighted. As a high schooler who had never experienced college courses, I wasn't quite sure why they were so excited about this, but their enthusiasm reassured me that Dartmouth prioritizes its undergraduate students.
Beyond safety and academics, the sense of community at Dartmouth played a huge role in my decision. While visiting, I was struck by how close-knit the student body was—students genuinely seemed to know and support each other. I wanted to be part of a college where people valued collaboration over competition and where relationships extended beyond the classroom. I could see myself forming lifelong friendships and becoming part of a community that truly felt like home. Dartmouth's size also felt like the perfect balance for me—not too big and not too small. With a student body large enough to ensure diversity of thought and experiences but small enough to foster close connections with professors and peers, I knew I would never feel lost in a crowd or limited in my experiences. The ability to recognize familiar faces while still meeting new people was something I deeply appreciated about Dartmouth.
The Dartmouth Coach stops right in front of the Rauner Special Collections Library!
Additionally, my parents and I appreciated how easily accessible Boston and New York are from Hanover, as the Dartmouth Coach stops right in the heart of campus with daily rides to both cities! While Dartmouth offers a peaceful, tight-knit environment, my parents also wanted me to have the ability to explore major cities for internships, cultural experiences, and personal travel. The safe and convenient transportation options to these cities reassured my parents that I would not feel isolated at Dartmouth.
Another key factor was Dartmouth's strong alumni network. From the moment I started researching Dartmouth, I consistently heard about how engaged and supportive its alumni community is. Whether through career mentorship, networking opportunities, or simply a shared sense of pride, I knew that attending Dartmouth meant becoming part of a lifelong, global community that genuinely looks out for its own.
My Dartmouth Acceptance Package!
Lastly, we were drawn to the wide array of opportunities to get involved on campus. Whether through clubs, sports, research, or cultural organizations, I knew Dartmouth would allow me to explore my diverse interests and passions. The ability to engage in so many different activities while still receiving a top-tier education made Dartmouth stand out as the ideal place for me.
Reflecting on all these factors, I can confidently say that they significantly shaped my college decision in the best way possible. Each of these aspects—safety, academic focus, community, size, accessibility, alumni support, and extracurricular opportunities—made Dartmouth the right choice for me.
As I reflect on my first semester at Dartmouth, I can't help but think about how one year ago, I wrote my "Why Dartmouth" supplemental essay. Let's see what has changed since then!
