Hey all! So excited to see you here. My name is Sydney and I'm a '24 passionate about energy, education, the environment, and economic policy. I grew up in Southern California, but have also lived abroad in Gibraltar, Spain, and the Philippines. When not blogging or working at McNutt as a Senior Admissions Fellow, you can catch me involved in the Dartmouth Energy Alliance, Energy Justice Clinic, and Greek Life. I hope my blog can give you a window into Dartmouth from a student's perspective.
Academic Program
Majors in Economics and Environmental Studies, Minor in International Studies
Taught by Professor Tine, this class focused on many interdisciplinary topics within the field of education. I loved learning about the significance of early pre-K interventions on long-term behaviors, the layered complexities of the American public school system, the neuroscience behind how the brain processes new information, and much more!
As someone interested in international studies, this course opened my eyes to the complex world of global health – both the biological and social sides of achieving equity. I found this class especially applicable given the COVID-19 pandemic and often transfer knowledge from Global Health & Society into my everyday life.
Searching for Justice is a perfect blend of studying literature and law. Highlights from this course include an op-ed I produced on anti-Asian hate crimes and a fictional short story adaptation based on Japanese internment camps from Korematsu v. United States. This first-year seminar exposed me to many different court cases, and I’m now strongly considering a future career in law!
SummerClaremont, California
I spent my summer back home in Southern California, working at my high school alma mater as a Summer Fellow for their Junior Scholars program. I had a wonderful time designing curriculum for the Journalism program, planning activities for middle schoolers, and providing support in the dorms. I also spent quality time with my cousins and bonded with family by the beach.
I am an aquaphile, a lover of all things related to the water. This environmental studies course on Marine Policy was perfect for me because it dove into how humans have impacted the oceans. From coastal development to deep sea mining, we explored how to think like a policymaker and consider the many different stakeholders involved in global marine issues.
Wow, the Practice of Science Policy and Diplomacy was a blast! I was eager to get to class early every day for this Public Policy seminar. Professor Burkins introduced me to writing effective policy memos, participating in a Model Arctic Council simulation, and presenting our SDG 7: Affordable & Clean Energy recommendations with a state coalition.
Energy Justice examined issues of culture, power, and inequity in the necessary shift away from fossil fuels. Taught as a Social Impact Practicum, this class deepened my interest in pursuing a career in energy and environmental law. During junior year, I’m excited to continue working with Professor Kelly as a Presidential Scholar researching justice and accountability in corporate energy systems.
During my Sophomore Summer, I really enjoyed studying food systems and accessing Dartmouth’s Organic Farm as our lab for Professor Ong’s Agroecology course. It was an incredible New England summer experience learning to visualize data in R, conducting fieldwork outdoors, and working as a team on scientific research projects. A term highlight was tasting freshly tapped maple syrup from Dartmouth’s very own Sugar Crew!
I was one of six Dartmouth Economics exchange students at University College London this term. All four of my modules—UCL’s equivalent of classes—gave me a new perspective on Economics and Geography through a British lens. Economic History was my favorite as we studied industrialization, the demographic transition, and the East Asian economic miracle after World War II. I grew a deep appreciation for how the events of our past can offer important lessons for us today and into the future.
WinterNew York, New York
Since Dartmouth students typically spend their Sophomore Summer on campus, the D-Plan allows us to take a different term off to develop personally and professionally. I spent my off-term working as a corporate legal assistant intern at a law firm in New York City. It was such a thrill to live and work in the Big Apple! With many fellow Dartmouth '24s also in the NYC area, my days out of the office were full of yummy food, catching up with old friends, and exploring iconic city sights.
Drawing upon disciplines like law, psychology, and popular culture, Writing and Speaking Public Policy was all about becoming more persuasive communicators. Professor Kalish provided us with such thoughtful, detailed feedback on our assignments and arranged for class field trips to the Jones Media Center and Hood Museum of Art. I especially enjoyed the flexibility offered for our small group media campaign project, where I created a children’s book on the benefits of bringing universal pre-K to New Hampshire.
SummerMystic, Connecticut
During my junior summer, I interned as a Yale Conservation Scholar at Mystic Aquarium. Working in the Education & Conservation department, I mentored high school interns about marine science communication and public engagement. Besides attending weekly professional development workshops with the Yale School of the Environment, I also helped out with summer camps, traveling classroom programs, and citizen science projects.
I traveled to Southern Africa for the first time with Dartmouth’s Environmental Studies FSP. From conducting research on invertebrate diversity in the Namib Desert to speaking with community members at Uibasen-Twyfelfontein Conservancy, we studied Namibia's socio-ecological systems. Highlights from this incredible trip include experiencing game drives at Etosha National Park, discussing ecotourism at the Cheetah Conservation Fund, and learning about Namibia’s integrated coastal zone management approach with government officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.
Econometrics was a pleasant surprise! While I came into this statistics-heavy course without a Stata coding background, Professor Fetter’s amazing explanations helped me feel confident about the new material. I learned so much about the assumptions required for causality and now feel equipped with the analytical tools to evaluate Economic research papers in an entirely different light.
With decision day right around the corner, here are some reasons why '24s chose Dartmouth and why you should too.
Amla R. '24
Majors: Math and Studio Art
Hometown: Sunnyvale, CA
"I chose Dartmouth because of its academic flexibility and the opportunity to explore all my interests without sacrificing any of them. I wanted a school that had a thriving, collaborative community, and I found that here. There are so many incredible, multifaceted people here, and everyone is so passionate about what they do; people here go out of their way to help and support you, whether that be if you need help networking for jobs, someone to make you laugh, or a shoulder to cry on. Through my time here, I've met some amazing people I wouldn't have met otherwise, rediscovered my love for French while studying abroad in France, and pushed myself by taking advantage of the incredible professors and other resources departments here have offered. I've made lifelong friendships and memories while exploring the incredible nature around Hanover. Picking Dartmouth has helped me grow—it feeds my thirst for knowledge while giving me the tools to be a better friend and citizen."
Bernardo B. '24
Major: Quantitative Social Science
Minor: Human-Centered Design
Hometown: Monterrey, Mexico
"As someone who grew up in a bustling metropolis, I was drawn to the idea of a smaller, tight-knit community when I was choosing colleges. Dartmouth stood out as the perfect place for me, and now as a junior, I can say that I made the right choice. One of the things that has really struck me about Dartmouth is the sense of belonging that it fosters. It's not just about fitting in, but about finding a community that truly resonates with who you are. Despite being a small school, Dartmouth has a diverse array of communities and support networks that cater to students from all walks of life. I've come to realize that it's not just about getting along with everyone, but about finding your own niche within the larger community. I'm constantly inspired by how Dartmouth acts as a facilitator for community organizing, and how it provides opportunities for people to create their own homes here. Whether it's through clubs, organizations, or affinity groups, there is truly a place for everyone at Dartmouth. This has made my experience here incredibly fulfilling, and I'm grateful for the sense of belonging that I've found at this school."
Shandu C. '24
Majors: Economics and Women's Gender, & Sexuality Studies
Hometown: Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe
"Thinking of applying to college from abroad offered a unique experience in college applications. My decision was based on conversations with Zimbabweans in the US, information sessions, and YouTube vlogs. Dartmouth ranked the highest on my list mainly because of the students I interacted with when I was applying; everyone was willing to support me in my journey. This gave me a snippet of what my college experience would look like with that support. Secondly, I wanted a small but academically rigorous school. Dartmouth had both, and a huge global alumni network. Thirdly, I was interested in entrepreneurship which drew me to Dartmouth because of its huge investments at Magnuson. I had so many academic interests before college and knew Dartmouth's liberal arts focus would allow me to be a business-oriented person but also someone who could write or debate gender policies. Over the years, Dartmouth has become my new home and as I near the end of my junior year, I would choose it again!"
Nicholas Z. '24
Majors: Economics and Jewish Studies
Hometown: Hong Kong and London, UK
"I thought that Dartmouth would be a great fit because of its focus on interdisciplinary teaching and cross-cultural learning. Dartmouth provided me with a perfect blend of the traditional American college experience and a vibrant, diverse, and international community. When I wanted to research the history of Jews in China for my culminating experience, Professor Susannah Heschel went out of her way to bring a visiting professor from England so that I could work with the best academic in the field. There are few places more committed to its students than Dartmouth."
Ningning S. '24
Majors: Environmental Studies and Economics
Hometown: Xiamen Island, China
"I applied Early Decision to Dartmouth and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made! I chose Dartmouth because of how fun and adventurous the students are—exploring the outdoors all around the US and the world, creating their own projects and initiatives and making a real impact. I love the sense of community at a small school and the school spirit. I was also particularly drawn to the Environmental Studies and Arctic Studies programs, as I have been attracted to cold places a lot. Now as a junior, these still hold true: the support from Dartmouth has made it possible for me to travel by myself to Arctic Alaska and Arctic Finland to do environmental social sciences research and even experience life on Arctic tundra with extremely cold conditions. The friends that I have made at Dartmouth are all super fun and amazing and bring joy and laughter to the room all the time, and the faculty mentors I have are extremely inspiring and have become my role models. I can't imagine having these experiences somewhere else!"
Now that I am more than a half into my Dartmouth experience, I have grown and learned about the world in ways that I would never have anticipated. How do I feel about it? Where do I hope to go next?
When I was in high school, applying to college seemed to be the hardest and scariest thing. I had no clue what to expect at all. So, I decided to share my thought-process regarding choosing to go to Dartmouth!
