¡Hola! My name is Ben and I'm a '25 from sunny Barcelona, Spain. I like way too many things, but I'm especially interested in biology and health policy! On campus, you can find me at the new sustainability center, FOCO, and the Green. I'm currently involved with the Global Health community, Class Council, and Dartmouth Dining. Outside these cool spaces, I'm also a big fan of the Outing Club's sunrikes. I can't wait to give you an insider's look into my exciting college life!
Coming from a heavy bio and chem background in high school, this class was clearly outside my comfort zone, but I loved it from the start. We covered a lot of ground in 10 weeks, stretching from political theories and nationalist movements to warfare and global poverty. We also had in-class debates and simulations, so I got to know my classmates really well and refine my public speaking!
My first formal introduction to CS was a lot smoother than I anticipated. While I'm not planning to take more CS courses anytime soon, I thought the class did a great job at providing a fun format to students (like me!) who typically think CS is too tough to tackle.
My writing seminar, capped at 16 people, was the perfect transition to a liberal arts-styled education. This class gave me really solid training for future writing-heavy classes. Plus, our professor always encouraged us to bring our own perspectives and ideas to the table. As a published author, he shared with us priceless writing tips that I still use to this day!
I loved reconnecting with my core academic interest: Biology! I took a year-long break from it in freshman year because I really wanted to explore other departments. However, this class confirmed to me that Biology should still be at the center of my college trajectory. The 4-hour lab sessions and Teaching Assistants really helped me keep up to speed with the fast-paced nature of Dartmouth's STEM classes.
Wow, this professor really knew his stuff! By far, one of the best classes I've ever taken at Dartmouth. The lectures were so interesting..., we dove into the world of urbanization, hydropower dams, ecotourism, and other really cool topics like advocacy for indigenous groups, always looking at real case studies and applying theory to practice.
Fast-paced terms give little room for introspection but seeing so many admitted students buzzing with excitement around campus and lounging on the Green got me thinking about what exactly drew me here. We all have our reasons to attend a certain school... however, now that I'm almost two years into my Dartmouth experience, I reckon I can add some more nuance to why I would choose this place again in a heartbeat. I didn't really have that many options when I began applying to colleges abroad. Dartmouth is one of the few schools in the US that meets 100% of demonstrated need of all students, regardless of their citizenship. That was a game-changer when I was nearing decision day, as some other good schools were out of reach for me financially. I think it's an amazing opportunity that I can attend such a great college with zero financial burdens.
Dartmouth's community is tight! It's been so easy to make friends here.
Beyond its generous aid, my two cents are that Dartmouth has a community for everyone. It's normal to be scared when you're settling into a new place. But before I even got here, I already felt connected to Hanover. Crazy, right? The Alumni Group connected me with admitted students from Europe and set up many Zoom calls to help us bond as a class. Their help really speaks to Dartmouth's global tight-knit community. No matter where you are in the world, you'll run into current students or alumni who are always so willing to support you! School pride runs deep here, I mean it. Whenever I go back home for breaks, I love to wear my Dartmouth hoodie in Boston Logan because I often meet alums who love reconnecting with current students. When I'm away from Hanover, I can still carry Dartmouth's uplifting spirit with me wherever I go.
Breathtaking scenery close to my dorm! Hanover has to be the best place for fall foliage.
As international students, we inevitably worry about not fitting in. A remote location in the great outdoors can steer some city people away… but I'd say, why not give this idyllic setting a shot? Dartmouth's campus has given me two years to really get to grips with what I want out of my education and how that should manifest in my career. City environments would have distracted me from my goals, and I'd feel a lot less attached to my school. The uniqueness of Hanover lies in its location. That's the secret ingredient that fosters a strong sense of place. We root for each other's success, even decades after graduating (or so they say!). But these are just some of the reasons why Dartmouth continues to resonate with me. The beauty of such an open-ended question like "Why Dartmouth" is that my answer could have taken many different directions. I could have also spoken about the cool research opportunities I've joined, the times I've taken professors out for lunch with Dartmouth-sponsored vouchers, or the collaborative culture I've witnessed through my extracurriculars. It's pretty obvious to me why people wish to call Hanover home!
Most students have to go back to college after Thanksgiving to take their finals, but not at Dartmouth! We have a six-week winter break, known as "winterim!" Let me tell you how I spent my winterim!
Applying early to a university can be overwhelming and confusing. As someone who did not apply to Dartmouth through early decision, here are a couple tips that I could have used when thinking about applying early to a school!
