Memo Tangtipongkul
You are here
Why Dartmouth 2.0
One year ago, I was seriously studying for the "Why Dartmouth" essay. My browser was tab after tab of pages from the Dartmouth website, various YouTube student vlogs, and of course, blogs from People Places Pines. My response was overflowing with words. I had so many reasons to convey, but I haven't got a clue what to stress. Through coffee-powered nights and cramming sessions, I eventually squeezed in the most important bits in 100 words. Luckily, "Why Dartmouth 2.0" has a word count of around 500. So, without too much trouble, here's an updated version of my "Why Dartmouth":
The packet of all the things I need to know to survive here the moment I stepped foot on campus. How warmly my custodian welcomed me to the dorm. My first meal of pizza and pasta at Foco (our dining hall). The bond between a group of '26s who weren't allowed to shower for 3 days on First-Year Trips. The best chocolate cake I've ever tasted that was baked in an industrial kitchen in the middle of the woods. The new student orientation schedule that was fully packed from 9 AM to literally 8 PM. How awkward and funny it was on the first day I met my friends. How I had to learn new Dartmouth vocabulary just to understand the posts on Fizz (think Reddit but Dartmouth students only). The fact that my best friend lives only one floor above me. The first-ever course selection that had me and my friends counting down to 8 AM in an empty library. The "no electronic device" rule in my psychology class (which improves your retention rate!). The moment when I laid down on the Green at 1 AM to look at the stars. The Mighty Mozz sandwich that appears at Novack once every two weeks.
The midnight swipes that allow me to have a collection of 16 Twix candies. The moment when my computer science TA replied to my email and said he can recheck all my codes. The fact that we have CS office hours available every day all day. An open dance group called Street Soul that got me exercising again. The random conversations in the laundry room that consists of useful facts and questionable information. The dances in the middle of the old golf field at 3 AM with a bunch of friends. The first football game I've ever watched while I froze in the stands. Family-style Chinese dinners with my friends at Han Fusion. The run from the gym to my dorm without a jacket on. The fall foliage right outside my window every morning. The hilarious pictures and videos I have of my friends that I will post on their birthdays.
The 2nd version of my "Why Dartmouth" is a bit different as you might imagine. Though I really liked my first version, I'm constantly updating my "Why Dartmouth" every day. The longer I'm here, the more I realize I'm growing to love Dartmouth more and more.
Posts You Might Like
I'm still trying to get over my fear of mice…
Fellow blogger Joanna '26 and I rented a Zipcar to check off a long-time item on my bucket list: visiting the Ben and Jerry's factory in Vermont!
This spring in Spare Rib, the intersectional feminist zine and feminist collective on campus, has been quite busy and exciting with a bunch of new events. Keep reading to find out more!
After the last bit of snow melted, the sun brightened the entire campus. When the eclipse blocked the sunlight for a few minutes, Hanover was lively!
Turns out we have a new café in town since I've been gone: The Works! Of course, I had to put them to the test.
What major exploration and declaration look like at Dartmouth! And, an ode to the Government department.
Amid the pressures of schoolwork and occasional homesickness, the natural landscapes accessible from campus have become my sanctuary.
It's easy to forget how easy it is to access walking trails during the hustle of a Dartmouth term. As graduation nears, I am reminded of how special it is to step off campus and enjoy quiet moments in nature.
In this post, I write about why I think Dartmouth's undergraduate focus is valuable.