Hello there, friend! My name is Love and I am a '23. Aside from being on the pre-med track, I'm currently interested in studying math and public policy. I have a penchant for old things, learning languages, and the arts. I also love personality tests, irrespective of their actual validity—in case you're curious, I'm an INFJ, Scorpio, dragon, and type 2w1.
BIOL 11.07 (Major Events in the History of Life and the Human Genome) is a very unique class. We learn topics such as oxidative phosphorylation in conjunction with evolution and paleontology. In other words, where and when did ETC come from, and how can we support our hypothesis? Though not an easy class by far, every day the material I learn amazes me with the wonder of life, which is how biology should be!
MES 7.03 (Jerusalem: Vision and Reality) was my First-Year Seminar and such an interesting class to take! We explored Jerusalem through three main viewpoints (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). The class had a bit of religion, literature, anthropology, sociology, and even geography—all things I love to study but don't necessarily have the space for with our three-class quarters. I often found myself going to office hours just to talk with my professor about questions I had outside of the reading!
COSC 10 (Problem Solving with Object-Oriented Programming) is a data structures course and the last pre-requisite for the computer science major. Though I added it as a fourth class on a whim because of COVID-19 and remote learning, it quickly became my favorite class this term because I loved the problem solving that CS has to offer. It is a difficult class but the emotional and academic rewards make it all worth it!
This was one of four classes I took during fall term and it was super interesting! We learned about healthcare systems and innovations from around 4 guest lecturers per week, and were able to do research on our own and propose a new system at the end of the term. Students came from all over campus and the course was very enlightening for me in terms of understanding how care is dispensed in the U.S. and how we can improve it.
Though this was my first "foundation" course in the Biology department and I still found it challenging, I really enjoyed learning the material and found it all super exciting! We learned about DNA replication, mRNA transcription and protein translation, genetics, and had the opportunity to do a literature review at the end of the term.
The dreaded Organic Chemistry sequence of my pre-med track came upon me faster than I thought it would, but it surprised me by being one of my favorite classes to date! I found it intellectually interesting (even though it was time-consuming), probably because I treated it like a STEM-and-logic puzzle instead of pure STEM or pure memorization. Am I great at it? Not necessarily. Do I remember everything I've learned? I'm not too sure! Am I mentally ready for Organic Chemistry 2 next term? Not at all! But I had a lot of fun doing this class and surprised even myself with how I tackled it.
I love dancing, story-telling, and learning about different cultures so I knew going into this course that I would enjoy it. Cross-listed in the theater and AAAS departments, this course let students have the privilege of working with Dance Theatre of Harlem members who were in Hanover for a summer residency. As a group, we analyzed a play ("The Purple Flower" by Marita Bonner) and transformed the text into a physical movement piece. Each student also had complete ownership of a personal final project, and I opted to do a self-choreographed dance. Overall, I loved getting the chance to work creatively in my academics this term and I also was able to broaden my perspective and knowledge of the African-American story in the process!
As a pre-med, I am constantly trying to learn more about the U.S medical system. This course was extremely engaging in all aspects, taking students through all of American history through the lens of healthcare within the span of 10 weeks. I particularly liked having a discussion session that replaced a lecture, since we were able to talk about the issues with the professor and think out loud about our readings. The course was definitely challenging and required a lot of synthesis across different time periods and topics, but I feel like I came out of it with a deeper and more profound understanding of our healthcare system and why it functions the way it does today.
WinterDetroit, MI
For my junior winter, I did an internship in clinical research! With COVID affecting so much of my college experience, this practical, in-person work internship was very important for me to not only hone my employable skills but also see what having a 8am - 5pm job looks like and how it could fit into my future.
Much like my other pre-med courses here at Dartmouth, Biochemistry was quite rigorous and fast-paced. It was certainly challenging, but I found the work extremely rewarding and I enjoyed learning about all the different mechanisms that happen inside of our bodies. Additionally, many of my friends were also in this class as well, rounding out final prerequisites for graduate school, and this fact made it all the more fun.
SummerDresden, Germany
For my junior summer, I had a research internship in Eastern Germany, working at the intersection between math, computer science, and biology! The learning curve was very steep since my project focus changed once I arrived in Europe, but I had a lot of fun and learned a lot about the content and myself. I am extremely thankful for all the support that Dartmouth has given me throughout my time here, without which I wouldn't have been able to do a 12-week European adventure!
As a pre-med student interested in health disparities, SOCY 75 was an amazing class to take! We covered numerous topics concerning how where one lives can impact their health outcomes. At the end of the course, students were also able to complete a final project of their choosing and I loved being able to tie my personal experiences into an academic course.
Throughout college, most of my science courses have been at the introductory level: one term of genetics, one term of cell structure, etc. Rarely have I had the chance to engage with something on a deeper level or connect the pre-med courses to human biology. This course was super interesting because I could finally connect everything I've learned throughout college into one cohesive course that connects to something I want to do post-Dartmouth.
We all come into college with assumptions and preconceived notions. Whether these tidbits of information stem from research that we've done during college applications, campus visits, or word-of-mouth, the fact of the matter is: we have some image of Dartmouth before we even set foot on-campus as a student. I know that I definitely was guilty of this! But all these ideas beg the question—how many of them are accurate? In this blog post, I will go over five common Dartmouth assumptions and hopefully provide some insight into what I've personally found in my first year of school for both incoming '24s and prospective applicants.
1. Greek life reigns supreme
Nearly 70% of Dartmouth's student body belongs to some sort of Greek association, so this is definitely a fair assumption to make. Because of the long-standing tradition of Greek life on campus, rushing in your sophomore year is extremely common and can serve as a stable social circle amidst Dartmouth's D-Plan. I have certainly found that most upperclassmen I meet are affiliated and spend a lot of time with their houses either going to parties, hosting meetings, or doing fundraisers for philanthropy. In many cases, people's primary social circle is this space.
However, it is also completely possible to have fun at Dartmouth and not be affiliated. In fact, because so many people at Dartmouth belong to a house, it can be relatively easy for unaffiliated people to go to parties and events with their friends, sneaking in as plus-ones. Generally, I find Dartmouth's Greek scene to be more transparent, humane, and inclusive than ones that you might find at large state schools. Although we are by no means the golden standard of Greek life, if you wouldn't consider rushing a house at your home state school, chances are you might consider doing so here! In any case, you won't have to decide until your sophomore year so you can spend your entire first year talking to upperclassmen and developing a sense of the Greek system for yourself.
2. You won't have anything to do
Yes, Dartmouth is in the rural Upper Valley. The closest big cities, Boston and New York, are three to five hours away. Dartmouth students as a whole don't go out to bars, clubs, or even to different colleges for parties unless there is a very special occasion. However, this doesn't mean that there isn't anything to do! Students here have found ways to create a social space for everyone so you will always have something to keep you entertained, from movies at the Hop, acapella and dance shows at fraternities, parties, open club meetings or celebrations, and other fun events. The Dartmouth experience won't replicate the city lifestyle, but students who choose to come here don't really have that as a goal and instead create a collegiate atmosphere that one would never be able to find post-Dartmouth. Mentors and alumni that I've talked to often say that the community of friends that they found at Dartmouth, and the memories they shared together, were their favorite parts of undergrad.
3. The student body isn't very intellectual outside of class
I think the reputation of "Keggy the Keg" and our Greek life has sort of made this reputation that our students aren't very intellectual or otherwise don't enjoy talking about academic matters outside of class. However, I haven't found this to be the case! Plenty of people are passionate about what they study and carry on classroom conversations long after the lecture is over. You will often overhear heated discussions at dining halls, in libraries, or even just walking around campus. The differentiation that one might make between other schools is that Dartmouth students are able to balance their social life and their academic pursuits instead of one being overpowered by the other.
One of my very first experiences (during the first week of orientation) at Dartmouth was a full-blown debate about culture and cultural supremacy. Though we didn't all agree on the same things, I think it says a lot that 1) the group I was in was able to engage in a thoughtful and respectful conversation minutes after meeting each other, 2) we were genuinely interested in hearing other people's opinions, and 3) we spent an hour sitting and talking on the Green without looming professors, participation grades, or a sense of superiority and having to prove oneself. I am still friends with everyone I met that day and have had many interesting conversations with other people as well since then.
4. It is hard to make friends if you don't fit the stereotypical, "old money" Dartmouth student
As a Questbridge student, I totally empathize with this statement because it was one of my primary concerns coming in. And to be fair, this assumption is more true than the others on this list—sometimes, I have found it hard to really connect with those who come from different, more affluent backgrounds simply because I could not even fathom the type of wealth that many students on campus have. However, this isn't unique to Dartmouth and is a prevalent problem in most elite colleges across the United States. Additionally, the barrier to deeper relationships was on my side, I think, because of this hesitation and bewilderment on my part. I don't think others that I've met have ever judged me negatively for my background, or at least they don't let it actively affect how they treat me. It will take time to move past this personal mindset (especially for low-income or URM students), but I promise you that many of your peers will help you along the way, wait for you if you maybe aren't ready yet, and welcome you with open arms and thoughtful minds. And if you haven't found that community yet, feel free to find me!
5. You have to "sell your soul" and go into econ or government
Dartmouth's most popular and heavily-subscribed two majors are economics and government. We have amazing professors there, a ton of resources, and a really great reputation. Because of this, many incoming students may feel like the only way to succeed is to go into these two fields, but this is honestly not the case! Many of our other departments have amazing faculty and opportunities, and all departments have the ability to give you the foundation for a successful career professionally or in academia. The things that will determine one's success—grit, skill, even EQ and the ability to form personal connections—are not exclusive to econ and government. In fact, since other departments are smaller in comparison, you may actually find it easier to stand out in more obscure subjects! All in all, Dartmouth College has almost everything you need in any field you want to achieve success and monetary stability; anything else you need I believe you can find and create yourself since you are a Dartmouth student!
What did you think of these assumptions and my reactions? Are there some that surprised you? Others that you don't totally buy into yet? Whatever the case, I hope that you come to Dartmouth with an open mind. Assumptions and stereotypes often stem from some sort of underlying truth, but there is always more than meets the eye. So take everything with a grain of salt, pack your suitcases, and come to college ready to try everything and meet everyone! That's the most fun way to do things.
Through Dartmouth's Guarini Institute for International Study, I am getting to take classes and experience life at Wellesley College, an all-women's school!
