Hi everyone! I'm Madison. I grew up in Pasadena, California, but spent eight years living in Manila, Philippines, and one year in Spain. I'm planning to double major in Film and Media Studies and Sociology, with a minor in Human-Centered Design. I love spending quality time with people and having good conversations. I'm so excited to share my college journey with you!
Academic Program
Majors in Film and Media Studies and Sociology, Minor in Human Centered Design
Flashback to when I was a nervous high schooler applying to colleges: the uncertainty of my future felt daunting, and the question of where I would end up consumed my thoughts for days. People kept reassuring me that everything would work out and that what was meant to be would find me in the end.
I will never forget the day my Early Decision letter came out. It was released while I was still in class, but I decided to wait to open it after school with my close friends, who had been my biggest supporters throughout high school. Anxious and terrified, I clicked the "View your admission decision letter" button and saw the word "Congratulations!" pop up on the screen. We all screamed, and tears immediately started streaming down my face.
My raw reaction the day I opened my ED Decision.
Now, a first year in her second term at Dartmouth, being here still feels surreal. While life at Dartmouth is inevitably busy and can feel a bit overwhelming at times, whenever I reflect on where I am, I feel incredibly fortunate and privileged to be in the position that my high school self only dreamed of. Being here is truly such a blessing. Here are three things at Dartmouth for which I am incredibly grateful.
1.) The resources and support: Dartmouth has an extensive library of resources where students can explore and satisfy their insatiable curiosity. One of my favorites is the Jones Media Center on the second floor of Baker-Berry Library. In addition to blogging, I work as an admissions student videographer, helping create Instagram Reels and YouTube videos. Having access to film equipment rentals is a huge plus. It's super convenient to borrow cameras, mics, and tripods whenever I need them. It's also nice being able to easily extend my rental time online just by signing into Dartmouth Libraries. Something else I greatly appreciate is the immense support I receive from my friends, professors, and mentors here. A special shoutout goes out to my Chinese drill instructorsand the outstanding alumni community who continue to offer guidance, opportunities, and encouragement along my Dartmouth journey.
2.) Dartmouth's beautiful campus: For the first time in my life, I get to experience the true beauty of New England's four seasons, which has been a wondrous blessing. Sometimes, when I walk, I can't help but stop in my tracks and take a moment to soak in the incredible scenery. As cringeworthy as this sounds, walking around Dartmouth's campus genuinely feels like I am in a movie. You may have read my previous blog post about how hesitant I was to part with my scooter this winter term. Well, here's an update: despite the cold, I've actually enjoyed my walks a ton. They've become a surprisingly introspective time for me, especially while taking in the breathtaking surroundings around me.
The most gorgeous sunset I've ever come across while here and a winter wonderland photo I snapped on the way to class in the morning.
3.) The people who make Dartmouth home: Even though it is located in a rural area, Dartmouth's campus really doesn't feel at all rural. There are constantly things to do, plus I am someone whose love language is quality time. Dartmouth is the perfect college for people who love doing wholesome activities. The other day, I had dinner at the Chinese Language House, where we sang karaoke, made dumplings, played mahjong, and had dinner together in celebration of Chinese New Year.
Eating dinner and singing karaoke at the Chinese Language House!
That's just one example of a wholesome activity I've done recently, but trust me, there are plenty more where that came from. At Dartmouth, you'll see familiar faces as you walk around, but you'll also come across new people everywhere you go. The people here wow me. I'm constantly inspired by the creativity, curiosity, and intelligence of my peers in the classroom. And when I watch my student-athlete friends compete at sports games, I'm even more impressed by how they balance their commitments while staying so humble about their talents. I could say so much on this, but to sum it up, I feel deeply fortunate to be in such a rich multicultural environment where I'm constantly exposed to people from diverse backgrounds. Everyone holds such unique perspectives and is full of great quirks!
In one of my previous posts, I mentioned how I joined a sorority earlier this fall by going through the recruitment process. I've come a long way since then. In fact, I am living in my sorority house for my sophomore summer!
Dartmouth is not just a college. With world-renowned graduate schools, why would we choose to call ourselves a college instead of a university? The story behind that decision dates back to a significant Supreme Court ruling.
On a quiet spring Saturday in Hanover, I traded the usual campus buzz for Monet in the morning and archery in the afternoon—a reminder that Dartmouth weekends can be just as meaningful when they're slow, reflective, and a little unexpected.
During my sophomore spring quarter, I took on the challenge of four STEM courses, and while it has been intense, the unexpected connections across subjects and the joy of learning have made it one of my most rewarding academic experiences yet.
Read about the Sophomore Summer Soiree and how I got to witness the beginning of something that hopefully grows into a long-standing Dartmouth tradition!
