TaeJun Seo

Hanover has one of the best gelato places in the nation. But don't just take my word for it! Forbes chose Hanover's very own Morano Gelato as America's best gelato! Honestly, there's nothing better than walking down Main Street after a meal, class, or meeting to reward yourself with a sweet treat. My favorite flavors are banana and sweet milk. Do you tend to be indecisive with food like I am? Don't worry, you can ask the staff to scoop up to three flavors in the same cup. Or of course, you can fill up the entire thing with your favorite flavor. 

Pine is one of the more expensive eating options in Hanover, but their dishes are definitely worth it. The ambiance is amazing, and their New England-inspired cuisine is mouth-watering. Pro tip: Dinner is probably way beyond the budget of most college students, but weekend brunch and weekday lunch options tend to be significantly more affordable --- they tend to be slightly more expensive than a typical off-campus lunch in Hanover. Another pro-tip: Want free Pine? AND want to get to know your profs better? Don't worry, Dartmouth has you covered. Take your professor to lunch at the Pine, and the College will foot up to $50 of the bill!

PS. Really, $50 is enough for a sumptuous lunch... and you can take one faculty out to breakfast/lunch EVERY term! 

Lou's is a Dartmouth favorite for breakfast/brunch and coffee & pastries. Careful though, since it can get extremely crowded if you don't get there early! Some Dartmouth students choose to do the so-called "Lou's Challenge," where they stay up all night and then go get breakfast at the eatery as soon as it opens at 6 am. Rumours have it that by the time you drag yourself into that booth you're so tired that you can't even taste the food. Not the best way to enjoy your meal in my opinion, but definitely a Dartmouth experience worth remembering for the rest of your life.

Dartmouth has so many libraries (so many that I can’t count) on campus, and the Rauner Special Collections Library is by far my favourite place to study. With its airy, bright ambience and couches that are perfect for studying---or snuggling, in a blanket---the Rauner Library always reminds me how lucky I am to be a student at Dartmouth. The library has more than 100,000 rare books, millions of manuscripts, and the extensive Dartmouth College Archives stored in its specially designed chamber that forms the centerpiece of the library. Even as an undergraduate, you immediately gain access to all of these documents. So if you’re the type of person who dreams of sifting through our very own alum Dr Seuss’ original sketches or reading Shakespeare’s plays from their original copies, maybe Rauner is your place! 

Rauner Library closes early, so when I need to catch up on some work in the evenings, I head over to the Sanborn Library for English Literature. Along with the Tower Room in Baker-Berry Library, it is the most Hogwarts-esque room in Dartmouth. With warm brown walls and calm lights, it is the best place to snuggle up on an armchair and get some readings done. Students studying in Sanborn are even pampered every day with traditional English tea and biscuits, courtesy of the English department.

Pshhh… inside tip: One Wheelock on the basement of the Collis Student Center has a free coffee machine and a cafe-like atmosphere that is perfect for studying if you like ambient noise. It’s almost never crowded, so if you need to focus, it’s worth checking out.

First of all, which country would you like to study in? It’s a simple question, and if you’re looking at People Places Pines the US is probably already at the top of your list! But it’s an important question since each country has different education styles. I applied to schools in the US, UK, and Japan, and I’ve found that their institutions are very different from each other. Most US schools have a liberal arts education, and I personally appreciate the flexibility of being able to hold off on committing to a major until late sophomore year. On the other hand, most UK, European, and Asian schools want applicants to apply for a specific academic programme, which may limit your flexibility in the future.

When looking at colleges, make sure you note the location and climate. It goes without saying that Hanover, NH can get very cold during winter! Spring, Summer, and Autumn, however, are generally warm and absolutely beautiful. Personally, I don’t mind chillier weather since I dislike hot climates. Some of you might have different preferences.

There are just so many different types of universities you can choose from: urban vs rural, large vs small, STEM-focused vs liberal arts etc.… there is no right or wrong answer for anyone, so your decision should be based on YOUR preferences, not those of anyone else.  The best way to test out whether you are a good “fit” for any school is to sign up for a campus tour. Pro tip: I’ve found Google Street View and the Dartmouth Virtual Tour to be some of the best ways to explore the campus and surrounding neighbourhood if you can’t visit in person.