Ola! Welcome to my Dartmouth journey. I'm Adrian, a '25 from Harare, Zimbabwe. With an insatiable thirst for investing, finance, and nature, I'm excited to dive into a major that combines all four passions—perhaps a modified economics major? The possibilities are endless! When I'm not tackling problem sets or immersed in "Things Fall Apart," I'm out and about on campus, discovering hidden gems and capturing countless memories on my phone. Join me as I embark on this incredible adventure!
Academic Program
Economics and African and African American Studies
Writing a killer college essay can be a daunting and strenuous process and finding a college that is the right fit for you isn't easy either. Despite the obstacles you're going to face during this process, just know that sweet comes from sweat. No one has ever achieved anything from merely sitting and imagining what it would've been.
When I applied for college, I didn't think I could get accepted anywhere, let alone at Dartmouth. But regardless of the odds, I only wanted Dartmouth. It was the only college that had shown enough interest in me so much that it sent a copy of their 3D magazine and a couple of postcards. It sounds silly, but those small gestures were enough to make me fall in love with the school. Of course, I didn't apply because of a magazine.
In the early phases of my college search, I remember reaching out to a couple of Zimbabwean college students in the US for help with my essays. At my high school, you had to teach yourself how to write college essays, how to fill in the common application, and how to formulate an activities list. You were on your own. Reaching out to college students was the only chance I had of being accepted into any U.S college. I had to utilize every resource that I could find. Some responded and some didn't. I was amazed by the amount of support that one Dartmouth student gave me. Her desire to help me get into my dream college was astounding. Till today, I owe her everything. I figured if Dartmouth had over 4,000 versions of her, then that was where I wanted to be for the next four years of my life.
When I look back, I don't regret a thing. I've realized that Dartmouth has more to offer than what can fit into a hundred-word essay. From the many museums on campus to first-year travel, there's always something new to discover at Dartmouth every day.
One thing that helps when applying to college is asking yourself what you want for the next four years of your life. Are you looking for a place that only helps you get a good college degree, or are you looking for a place that shapes you in every aspect of life? Find a certain element of a college that resonates with you, and that will be your stepping stone in finding your way to the right college.
Regards,
Adrian
PS. Just know that heartbreaks will come in the form of rejections, but never blame yourself for it. Pick yourself up and keep moving forward.
From surfing in Puerto Rico to backpacking in Joshua Tree to Norway: Break trips are a unique Dartmouth experience, giving students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the outdoors
This past summer, I was a Dartmouth Bound Leader with Admissions and a leader for Strengthening Educational Access with Dartmouth (SEAD) with the Center for Social Impact. With my rural, low-income background, I found it fulfilling to be a mentor.
On the final segment of The Stretch, we explored other planets, walked atop volcanoes, and went to the very bottom of the Grand Canyon (and back). Read about it here.
