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For this Q&A, I talked to Molly Rouzi, a sophomore transfer student from Middlebury College, where she was a DIII swimmer. She is a Studio Art major and Italian minor who is involved in Greek life, women's club water polo, the Hood Museum's museum club, and the Italian department where she works as a Drill instructor. 

Sydney: What activities are you involved in on campus?

Molly: Since transferring to Dartmouth, it has been a big change from being a student-athlete to having time to pursue other activities. While I am still trying to find what I am interested in on campus, I am extremely happy with the activities I have gotten involved with thus far. One of the best activities that has helped me find a community on campus is Greek life. It has been an amazing opportunity to meet new people and be involved in the wider campus community. The women's club water polo team has allowed me to try something new athletically and meet a group of supportive, competitive, and athletic women. The Hood Museum hosts a museum club that allows students to be a bridge between the art museum on campus and the greater student body. We host events and overall try to increase campus engagement with the museum. Additionally, the club gets an inside look at the museum's collections, new exhibits, and visiting artists. Finally, I started as a drill instructor this term for Italian 1 students.

Sydney: How has your experience at Dartmouth been so far?

Molly: My experience so far has made me confident that I made the best choice to transfer here. Honestly, the first few weeks after transferring to a new school can be challenging, yet with time it transforms into an incredible experience. The adjustment to the academically demanding quarter system has been different from the demands of a semester system. I have loved experiencing college life with less COVID restrictions.

Sydney: What drew you to Dartmouth?

Molly: Transferring from Middlebury to Dartmouth may seem like a similar transition, but many aspects of Dartmouth distinguished it. Coming into college, I thought I would outgrow my passion for art and find a new passion to pursue as a major in the liberal arts environment. My classes actually strengthened my love for art and I decided to major in the subject. Dartmouth's art department, located in a liberal arts environment, was the ideal choice for me. The facilities and expertise at the Black Family Arts Center offer so many opportunities for a large variety of classes in different disciplines. The department has many opportunities from a new in-residence artist every term to individual studio space for senior thesis. The proximity to the Hood Museum provides chances to see art from collections or view new exhibitions, help curate shows, and understand the museum side of art. Dartmouth's language program is also world-class and allows for Dartmouth-sponsored study abroad programs. I wanted to remain in the Northeast as I loved the lifestyle that comes from a rural location. The term system at Dartmouth, while challenging, presents opportunities to study abroad for ten weeks, participate in sophomore summer, apply for internships at different times of year, and many other advantages. Dartmouth's larger size compared to Middlebury with an undergraduate focus is the perfect fit for my goals. This size still has small, discussion-based class sizes, but offers the opportunities of larger institutions. Finally, Dartmouth's culture was the deciding factor. There are so many people coming from so many different experiences prior to Dartmouth that make everyone's experience unique. 

Sydney: What credits have transferred to Dartmouth?

Molly: Since Dartmouth's transfer community is much smaller than other schools I applied to, the credit transfer process was a bit more challenging. However, I ended up receiving credit for eight out of my nine credits, so I will graduate on time without having to take an additional term! Initially, I only received credit for five of my nine credits — Introductory Earth Science, Introductory Drawing, Advanced Figure Painting, Introduction to Education, and Northern Renaissance Art History because it is not common to receive credit for introductory language courses here. However, I worked with professors in the Italian department to appeal for credit for the equivalent of Italian 1, 2, and 3 and by the end of fall term after submitting syllabi, placement test, and numerous conversations, my appeal was granted. Finally, my first-year seminar writing course appeal was not accepted, as well as many of my transfer friends' writing course credits, so as a result, many of us are taking Writing 5 this winter term. I'm taking "The Pursuit of Happiness" with Professor Deanne Harper. The material is very engaging. We're reading and writing about both the philosophy of happiness and the scientific aspects. It's a little frustrating that after taking the equivalent of this class at Middlebury, most of the transfers have to take it again. But, I guess you can never get too good at writing so it's a good class!

Sydney: Describe Dartmouth's community.

Molly: Dartmouth's community is incredibly interwoven. There are so many different networks to get to know people that lead to a super connected community. 

Sydney: What is your best piece of advice for students at approaching the transfer application?

Molly: Be explicit with yourself about the reasons why you want to transfer and then consider if transferring will solve those issues. In your application, make sure your reasons for transferring are clear and discuss what Dartmouth will offer that is missing at your current institution. 

Sydney: What's your favorite part of Dartmouth thus far?

Molly: The people are undoubtedly what makes Dartmouth special. Everyone has such diverse interests and passions that make a strong community. When I stepped on campus in the fall, everyone was extremely welcoming and willing to get to know me.


sydney wuu molly
Molly and some girls on the water polo team use their late-night meal swipes at the Hop after practice!

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