Hey all! So excited to see you here. My name is Sydney and I'm a '24 passionate about energy, education, the environment, and economic policy. I grew up in Southern California, but have also lived abroad in Gibraltar, Spain, and the Philippines. When not blogging or working at McNutt as a Senior Admissions Fellow, you can catch me involved in the Dartmouth Energy Alliance, Energy Justice Clinic, and Greek Life. I hope my blog can give you a window into Dartmouth from a student's perspective.
Academic Program
Majors in Economics and Environmental Studies, Minor in International Studies
Taught by Professor Tine, this class focused on many interdisciplinary topics within the field of education. I loved learning about the significance of early pre-K interventions on long-term behaviors, the layered complexities of the American public school system, the neuroscience behind how the brain processes new information, and much more!
As someone interested in international studies, this course opened my eyes to the complex world of global health – both the biological and social sides of achieving equity. I found this class especially applicable given the COVID-19 pandemic and often transfer knowledge from Global Health & Society into my everyday life.
Searching for Justice is a perfect blend of studying literature and law. Highlights from this course include an op-ed I produced on anti-Asian hate crimes and a fictional short story adaptation based on Japanese internment camps from Korematsu v. United States. This first-year seminar exposed me to many different court cases, and I’m now strongly considering a future career in law!
SummerClaremont, California
I spent my summer back home in Southern California, working at my high school alma mater as a Summer Fellow for their Junior Scholars program. I had a wonderful time designing curriculum for the Journalism program, planning activities for middle schoolers, and providing support in the dorms. I also spent quality time with my cousins and bonded with family by the beach.
I am an aquaphile, a lover of all things related to the water. This environmental studies course on Marine Policy was perfect for me because it dove into how humans have impacted the oceans. From coastal development to deep sea mining, we explored how to think like a policymaker and consider the many different stakeholders involved in global marine issues.
Wow, the Practice of Science Policy and Diplomacy was a blast! I was eager to get to class early every day for this Public Policy seminar. Professor Burkins introduced me to writing effective policy memos, participating in a Model Arctic Council simulation, and presenting our SDG 7: Affordable & Clean Energy recommendations with a state coalition.
Energy Justice examined issues of culture, power, and inequity in the necessary shift away from fossil fuels. Taught as a Social Impact Practicum, this class deepened my interest in pursuing a career in energy and environmental law. During junior year, I’m excited to continue working with Professor Kelly as a Presidential Scholar researching justice and accountability in corporate energy systems.
During my Sophomore Summer, I really enjoyed studying food systems and accessing Dartmouth’s Organic Farm as our lab for Professor Ong’s Agroecology course. It was an incredible New England summer experience learning to visualize data in R, conducting fieldwork outdoors, and working as a team on scientific research projects. A term highlight was tasting freshly tapped maple syrup from Dartmouth’s very own Sugar Crew!
I was one of six Dartmouth Economics exchange students at University College London this term. All four of my modules—UCL’s equivalent of classes—gave me a new perspective on Economics and Geography through a British lens. Economic History was my favorite as we studied industrialization, the demographic transition, and the East Asian economic miracle after World War II. I grew a deep appreciation for how the events of our past can offer important lessons for us today and into the future.
WinterNew York, New York
Since Dartmouth students typically spend their Sophomore Summer on campus, the D-Plan allows us to take a different term off to develop personally and professionally. I spent my off-term working as a corporate legal assistant intern at a law firm in New York City. It was such a thrill to live and work in the Big Apple! With many fellow Dartmouth '24s also in the NYC area, my days out of the office were full of yummy food, catching up with old friends, and exploring iconic city sights.
Drawing upon disciplines like law, psychology, and popular culture, Writing and Speaking Public Policy was all about becoming more persuasive communicators. Professor Kalish provided us with such thoughtful, detailed feedback on our assignments and arranged for class field trips to the Jones Media Center and Hood Museum of Art. I especially enjoyed the flexibility offered for our small group media campaign project, where I created a children’s book on the benefits of bringing universal pre-K to New Hampshire.
SummerMystic, Connecticut
During my junior summer, I interned as a Yale Conservation Scholar at Mystic Aquarium. Working in the Education & Conservation department, I mentored high school interns about marine science communication and public engagement. Besides attending weekly professional development workshops with the Yale School of the Environment, I also helped out with summer camps, traveling classroom programs, and citizen science projects.
I traveled to Southern Africa for the first time with Dartmouth’s Environmental Studies FSP. From conducting research on invertebrate diversity in the Namib Desert to speaking with community members at Uibasen-Twyfelfontein Conservancy, we studied Namibia's socio-ecological systems. Highlights from this incredible trip include experiencing game drives at Etosha National Park, discussing ecotourism at the Cheetah Conservation Fund, and learning about Namibia’s integrated coastal zone management approach with government officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.
Econometrics was a pleasant surprise! While I came into this statistics-heavy course without a Stata coding background, Professor Fetter’s amazing explanations helped me feel confident about the new material. I learned so much about the assumptions required for causality and now feel equipped with the analytical tools to evaluate Economic research papers in an entirely different light.
Wow, I can't believe that it's been over 30 months since I was writing my application to Dartmouth as a high school senior. For all the potential '26s yet to commit to Dartmouth, you may be wondering if current students are happy with their choice to come here. Today, I'll go line by line to see how my "Why Dartmouth?" essay has evolved over these past two years.
"The authenticity of Dartmouth's community is what draws me most to the College."
I've met some of the most talented, humble, and collaborative people here—individuals from all walks of life who you can go on hiking adventures with or rely on when needing help with understanding a difficult Econ concept. I've sprawled out on a picnic blanket with some of my best friends on the Green, listening to the birds chirping overhead and the laughter of other students playing Spikeball nearby. I walk to class and wave to at least three people I know on the way there, passing by the gorgeous traditional brick dorm buildings where 90% of Dartmouth's students live on campus. I know my friends and I will cherish these simple moments with Dartmouth's close-knit community for a long time, which is probably also why we have such a wonderful alumni network!
"On Move Out Day 2019, a passing '21 dropped everything to give me a personal tour around campus, from residential life in West House to the intimacy of Baker-Berry Library."
My first time on Dartmouth's campus, my dad and I were lost and stumbled upon a '21 moving out her belongings from her freshman dorm room. She answered all of our questions and even started crying because she didn't want to leave the '18s who were about to graduate. I'll never forget her kindness and genuine love for sharing stories about her Dartmouth experience; the encounter honestly contributed greatly to me applying Early Decision to Dartmouth. Now, Baker-Berry is one of my favorite study spots on campus—specifically the Tower Room for its dark academic, productive atmosphere—and coincidentally I'm an undergraduate advisor in West House, one of six housing communities on campus!
"Now, I can picture myself collaborating on the Green, embracing the flexibility of the D-Plan through a mid-year internship, pursuing the new Government Major modified with Economics, and participating in the Tuck Bridge Program."
I love to soak up the sun on the Green—it's one of my favorite places to spend time with friends in the heart of campus. The D-Plan is allowing me to study abroad next fall to London for an economics exchange with UCL, then take my junior winter off to pursue an internship that likely will be related to law or clean energy. I did enjoy taking a Government class during my freshman winter, but realized this school year when I discovered the Environmental Studies department that my interests align more with ENVS and ECON. Although I'm no longer a Government modified with Economics (PPE) major, I now have more clarity over my academic plans and am planning to double major in Economics and Environmental Studies. I haven't done Tuck Bridge, but I did do TuckLAB last winter and loved all aspects of the liberal arts in business program: the peers I met, the skills I learned, and the professors I felt inspired from.
"I envision myself paddling down the Connecticut River and bonding with peers during Sophomore Summer."
In general, Dartmouth students love to spend time outdoors; after all, we did choose to apply to college in a rural environment! Dartmouth's campus radiates natural beauty all around. As a lifelong city/suburbs dweller, I've learned to find peace in the outdoors, embracing each of our four distinct seasons for their unique quirks: vibrant foliage in the fall, soft snowflakes in the winter, the budding of trees in the spring, and lots of kayaking to come this summer. One of my highlights of my freshman spring was paddling down the Connecticut River on a canoe or kayak with friends. I'm one term away from Sophomore Summer, a term full of bonding between Dartmouth students' sophomore and junior years, and am super excited! I plan to take a two-course term and spend a lot of time with friends and sorority sisters, as I'll be living in my sorority house.
"As a self-proclaimed explorer, Dartmouth is my dream."
This is definitely still true. Over the last two years, I've pushed myself to grow and discover more about myself in so many ways—learning to ski for the first time, walking around a roaring bonfire with my classmates, taking a Theater class, discovering my love for the Environmental Studies department, visiting Boston with the Rockefeller Global Leadership Program, and more. I've had classes both via Zoom and in person in a whole range of departments, tubed down the exhilaratingly fast golf course slopes and gotten snow all over my pants, found a great group of lifelong friends with the Women's Water Polo team, and ventured to the Organic Farm for freshly baked pizzas and joyful live music.
Whoever you are, wherever you come from, if you're not afraid to occasionally take risks and step outside your comfort zone, Dartmouth is the place for you!
On Monday, April 8, 2024, a phenomenal total solar eclipse occurred — and we happened to be within the path of totality. As a result, Dartmouth hosted a variety of eclipse-related events on- and off-campus. Find out how I spent the eclipse!
