Hi all! Welcome to my very public blogging page! I am Toni Fabian '25, the middle child of my family, from a small town in sunny Southern California. I plan to study economics and human-centered design. I am passionate about culture, educational equity, and social justice. I will be writing about all things Dartmouth, from the infamous FOCO cookies to the resources and opportunities offered here on campus. I am truly so excited to bring you along with me while I navigate my college journey!
Academic Program
Intended majors: Economics and Sociology; Intended minor: Human-Centered Design
Each week I was responsible for completing problem sets, quizzes, classwork, and discussion boards. Every week we related what we learned in class to the real world. For example, we read about food banks and their past struggles with efficiency. As a class, we discussed solutions and delved deeper by asking questions and collaborating with each other. I loved this class a lot because Dr. Petre made learning really fun and is so kind! I learned a lot of information ranging from different elasticities of demand and supply to the indicators of poverty. This class was awesome!
For my FYS (First-Year Seminar), I took a history course called Gender and Urban Transformation (9L slot). Our class discussions drew from primary sources and historical analyses that dabbled on gender and its intersection with race, sexuality, and class in the development of U.S. suburbs and cities. Essentially, we explored urbanization and suburbanization as a multi-gendered process. I developed my research skills as I drafted an annotated bibliography, book review essay, and prospectus on the Chicano Movement's impact in the realm of higher education from the 1960s to the present in California, Texas, and Chicago. I learned a ton, I am so happy that I took Professor Rabig's course!
Sociology 1 is the introductory course for the Sociology major, and I loved this class so much! We had a ton of class discussions and the material was very insightful. We were assigned a term-long discussion group, and my group leader was so kind and knowledgeable. We analyzed and discussed the reasons behind class stratification, power dynamics, and social and economic inequalities in society. This class has truly helped me further develop my sociological imagination and changed my perspective in life. :)
For the entire summer, I interned for Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano (SJC). Breakthrough SJC is a non-profit organization situated in Southern California that aims to close the achievement gap for underrepresented and underserved students. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have served as a teaching fellow this summer and for Dartmouth's support in preparing me for this amazing and unforgettable experience!
During Winterim, I worked at my family's pizza shop in Dana Point, California! I have spent so many of my childhood days working alongside my dad and will always cherish the memories that I have made in a place made of four walls.
I started working in middle school and have been welcoming guests, maintaining restaurant cleanliness, and operating a social media page ever since I can remember. I am grateful for the experiences that I have gained in our restaurant and am so glad that I got to meet so many kind and amazing people from all over California. Some customers told us that they even traveled from San Francisco to visit us.
When I applied to Dartmouth, I wrote about our family restaurant, more specifically about being a breadstick, and the meaning behind my metaphor. For me, my family's history revolves around me like dough and is a big part of my identity. I created an essay that gave the admissions committee a different perspective of me, something new that wasn't included in other parts of my application. I wanted to share the experiences that I have lived and how it has shaped me into the person that I am today. I shared my goals, motivations, and gratitude for life.
When I was applying to colleges, I wanted to go somewhere with a similar tight-knit community feel, a place where I would be able to flourish and improve upon myself. Now, as I enter the Winter term of my freshman year, I know that I made the best decision ever, which was applying to Dartmouth.
I remember spending so many months on this essay, and I was so happy when I submitted my entire application. I knew that I did everything to the best of my ability and was proud of the final product. To prospective students, I think the best piece of advice I have is to show your true self and be proud of yourself for everything that makes you, you.
P.S. Here are some pictures of my Winterim!
Amy helping me assemble pizza boxes!
Here is a snapshot of the inside of our family restaurant!
I have written about being a student worker plenty of times in the past, but I have yet to talk about one of my favorite jobs ever: ticket selling at the Hopkins Center for the Arts.
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!
