Hi everyone! My name's Daniel, and I'm a 25! I'm from Orange County, California and Seoul, South Korea. I'm hoping to major in Biomedical Engineering and Anthropology Modified with Global Health. If I'm not under my sheets watching a new Netflix series, you'll find me spending time at Still North Café or at the engineering building. I hope you learn something new about Dartmouth today!
Academic Program
Biomedical Engineering and Anthropology Modified with Global Health
I still recall researching Dartmouth's modified majors before I applied. It's unique to Dartmouth; students can modify an academic department with another department to create a major of their interest. For example, many students modify economics with computer science (an economics modified with computer science major). Personally, as an anthropology modified with global health major, I underwent this process myself. They seem very self-explanatory, but I wanted to dive deeper into the process—essentially what I hoped to know as a prospective student.
1. Modifications are allowed within a singular department
I personally found this very fascinating when I was declaring my major. The global health department (which is minor-only) is within the anthropology department. But, because I was interested in focusing on the global/public health aspects within anthropology, I was approved to modify a major within a single department. The same goes for computer science modified with digital arts (digital arts within the CS department), and engineering sciences modified with human-centered design major.
2. Only having a "modified" instead of a "modified with"
I thought modifications "always" involve two departments. I was wrong. Students are able to, in select departments, complete a "[blank] modified" major. What does this mean? My friend decided that he was very interested in racial and ethnic inequalities' effect on the economy. So, he is pursuing an "economics modified" major, taking courses in the Asian societies, languages, and cultures, sociology, and anthropology departments to complete his major. Same goes for the anthropology department. Students can choose to complete an "anthropology modified" major, simply taking courses they're interested outside of the ANTH department, as long as they have a cohesive theme.
3. Some departments don't allow modifications
Modifications need to make sense. Meaning, if you propose a studio art modified with classics major, your rationale might have to really bring these two departments together. Some departments, however, don't allow modifications at all. For example, the neuroscience department only has a neuroscience major; the department can't be modified as a primary nor a secondary department. Keep in mind!
Hope this provides a clearer picture of the modification system here at Dartmouth. I personally think of it as a very unique system that tailors to students' interests well.
One of the most rewarding parts of my time at Dartmouth so far has been participating in research. Read on to learn more about how Dartmouth makes research accessible for all students!
In my freshman year, I wrote a blog revisiting my decision of attending Dartmouth College. Now that more than a year has passed, I would love to revisit my decision again, with a more realistic lens.
