Hi everyone! I'm Madison. I'm originally from Pasadena, California, but I also spent eight years living in Manila, Philippines, and one year in Gibraltar. At Dartmouth, I plan to double major in Film & Media Studies and ASCL (Asian Societies, Cultures, and Languages). Dartmouth has already opened up so many doors for me and truly changed my life for the better, so I'm really excited to share my college journey and experiences with you all!
Academic Program
Majors in Film and Media Studies and Asian Societies, Languages, and Cultures
When I first found out I'd be in the River dorms for my first year, I'm not going to lie; I was a bit bummed. I had heard that they were not the most ideal dorms to live in because they were "so far" from everything—15 minutes from the furthest part of campus. However, after moving in, my perspective quickly changed. There's honestly no place I'd rather be than French, one of the buildings in the River cluster, and here's why.
1. The walk is scenic and peaceful.
One thing about me is that I enjoy going on walks. My roommate and I joke that if you're in the River dorms, you should add an extra 10 minutes to your travel time when going anywhere else on campus. While some might see this as a downside, at least we're getting our steps in! Plus, it's a great bonding experience to walk and chat with people during the commute. The stroll from French Hall is a lovely way to start my day and appreciate the changing seasons in New England. At night, admiring Dartmouth's beautifully lit campus brings a wonderful sense of peace and calmness. After a long day of classes, grabbing meals with friends, catching up on assignments, and attending club meetings, it's nice to return to the cozy comfort of French.
My dorm, where I take some of the best naps.
2. It's next to the Irving Institute and the Fern café.
French Hall is a short walk fromthe Irving Institute for Energy and Society. This beautiful, modern building has excellent study spaces and collaborative areas. Inside, The Fern café serves acai bowls! I love coming here with friends!
3. The community is awesome!
You may have heard that people in the River dorms form strong bonds, and I can confirm that's true! The community here is fantastic. Everyone who lives in French Hall is a first-year student and is super friendly. When you walk into the building, you'll see people hanging out in the common room—watching TV, baking, chatting, or playing ping pong and foosball. It's been great getting to know people from different floors. On top of that, some of my best friends are my neighbors (shoutout to David and Taha). Life truly wouldn't be the same without the daily debriefs I have with Taha—who lives right next door—and my roommate, Jiya.
Fun fact: we're the only common room with both a ping pong and a foosball table. Anyone is welcome to pull up!
If you are interested in pursuing medicine after graduating from high school, as I was, you'll be looking at how different universities design their "pre-health" experience. What does that experience look like at Dartmouth College?
Welcome back to Open Doors—your inside look at life in the Woods! This week, Isabelle Sullivan '26, an environmental studies and geography major, showed me around her room, where we discussed Dartmouth residence halls, classes, and campus life.
There was never a single "aha!" moment of clarity when I knew that Dartmouth was right for me, yet now, it is impossible for me to imagine having chosen anywhere else.
Green Key weekend at Dartmouth was filled with concerts, free food, live music, reunions, and spontaneous moments with friends. Read on to hear why this weekend reminded me what makes spring term at Dartmouth feel so special.
