Winter Break in New York City!

This holiday season I have enjoyed spending time at home with family and friends, in New York City. New York is a great place to be during the holidays because there is always so much to do. Thus far I’ve gone out to eat at a few great restaurants, seen rising artists in concert, had a mini high school reunion, and seen some great movies. It’s also possible to see Broadway and off-Broadway shows, go ice skating in Rockefeller Center or Bryant Park, visit various museums and spend time in Times Square, amongst other things.
New Year’s Eve is definitely going to be a busy time in the city. Every year thousands of people come out to watch the ball drop in Times Square. Although I’m from New York I’ve never gone to this event because the crowd is too big and it’s always really cold outside.

I hope everyone has a great New Year’s!

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jazzlog/2151741061/

Happy Holidays : )

For the holidays, I plan to just spend time with my friends and family. My mom always cooks the best holiday meals, so I am very excited for Christmas dinner. Also, the holidays are a great time to catch up with my friends since most of us are away at school. So this year after I eat and open up gifts, I am going to watch the new Disney movie The Princess and the Frog with my best friend.

I just want to wish everyone a Happy Holiday season and a wonderful New Year!!

Acapella Tour then Relaxation

My acapella group, the Dartmouth Dodecaphonics, like most acapella groups at Dartmouth, always goes on tour at the beginning of winter break. This year we toured in the D.C./Maryland area for about a week. The highlight is being able to spend so much quality time with the other members of my group. We sang at a few schools and alumni clubs in the area. I just returned home this past Friday! Now, I am going to run around Chicago looking for Christmas gifts for my family (that I have yet to get) and afterward, catch up with friends from home and lounge around the house.

Happy Holidays!


More info on the Dodecs: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~dodecs/

Christmas in the Nation's Capital

I will be enjoying the holiday season with my family and friends in Washington, DC. Christmas in New Hampshire is quite special because the snow covered landscape looks like something straight out of a fairytale. Christmas in DC is also very special because everything becomes bright and colorful. One thing I always look forward to during the holidays is sleeping in and watching television specials that remind me of my childhood: Home Alone, Charlie Brown, Rudolph the Red–Nosed Reindeer, etc. I remember watching them when I was younger and seeing them now definitely brings back great memories. Another thing I look forward to, which is somewhat of a new family tradition, is ice skating in front of the National Archives building. It's so much fun!!






Left Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevharb/4191941958/in/set-72157607530840478/

Right Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidclow/2306168184/

NEW QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What are your plans for the holidays?

Previous question of the week:

The posts below answer last week's question:

LAST WEEK'S TOPIC: What do you think are the top 3 reasons prospective students should apply to Dartmouth?

Top 3 reasons...

...for applying to Dartmouth are:

1. THE PEOPLE
The people at Dartmouth are amazing. I've met so many great people who have become some of my best friends. There have been many times when a 45 minute dinner has turned into a 2hr+ dinner because of the great conversations that were going on. Also, there is not a competitive atmosphere. Students are willing to help each other out with homework and study together for exams. I've experienced a lot of this collaborative nature in my math and science classes which not only helped me understand the material better but also allowed me to meet wonderful new people.

2. THE CAMPUS
I absolutely love the scenery. From the foliage to the snow, the campus is beautiful no matter what season it is. I am from the city, so living in a rural area made me a bit nervous at first. After I arrived, I knew that this would be a perfect break from the city life. I do not have that many distractions such as malls (I love to shop lol), so I can really focus on getting my work done. Plus, being in a rural area allows for Dartmouth students to be apart of a tight knit community.

3. THE PROFESSORS
Almost all of the classes are taught by professors which is really great because you have the chance to ask them questions not only about class material but about their own research. I've had the opportunity to work with one of my engineering professors in his biomedical engineering lab helping research different aspects of knee replacements. Next term, I will be working in the same lab to do more research as my own independent study project.

My Top Three Reasons

3. The Seasons

As Ben posted, it did finally snow here! Winters at Dartmouth are great because of easy access to Dartmouth's very own ski slopes at the Dartmouth Skiway and other mountains in the area. It is also a wonderland of other winter sports (Dartmouth students have to do 3 gym credits, and winter is a great time for people to learn how to snowshoe, ice fish, snowboard, or ice skate in addition to learning how to snowboard or ski). More importantly, the campus and surrounding area are beautiful when covered with snow. However, the other seasons are great as well. The fall is my favorite season. The mountain and hillsides look like patchwork quilts because of the wide spectrum of colors of the leaves. The spring is gorgeous as well. It is welcome after a long winter and students treat the green like a beach. The summer is how I think Dartmouth is supposed to be experienced however. While Dartmouth can get very cold, it can also get very hot and swimming in the Connecticut river provides the perfect refreshment.

More information on:

The Dartmouth Skiway - http://skiway.dartmouth.edu/

2. The Opportunities

The D-Plan splits the academic year up into four parts and since classes, responsibilities, and the student body on campus change every term, learning opportunities, on-campus leadership and extracurricular opportunities, abroad and internship possibilities, and new friends are always at your reach. The campus has a number of institutions that help facilitate the latter two options. The Tucker Foundation, the Dickey Center for International Understanding, and the Rockefeller Center are a few of the institutions that give money to students to do internships or volunteer work across America or abroad. Career Services can help students find internships as well.

More information on:

The Tucker Foundation - http://www.dartmouth.edu/~tucker/
The Rockefeller Center - http://rockefeller.dartmouth.edu/
Dickey Center - http://dickey.dartmouth.edu/
Career Services - http://www.dartmouth.edu/~csrc/

1. The People

While it is frequently said by my fellow interns and I, the people are Dartmouth are what really makes this place special. I have met some of the most friendly, fun, intelligent, outgoing, and inspiring people that I have ever encountered in my life here. I have learned more from my peers than in my courses and have shared unforgettable experiences with them at Dartmouth, across the US, and abroad. I know that without my Dartmouth community, my experience would not be the same.

IT SNOWED!

It took a little longer this year than normal, but it finally snowed here in Hanover and the Holiday Tree in the middle of the Green is all lit up.

I think it makes studying for finals just a little bit easier, though I can't stop thinking about skiing.

My Top 3:

1. The Food - It goes unsaid that Dartmouth has one of the best dining options! We have at least three different locations where you can find food at at those three different locations we have at least five different dining options you can choose from. Also, you can find something to eat on campus until 2 am, which is great if you are a night owl like me. There is always a vegetarian option available. Also, we have a sushi chef come on campus to Collis Late Night to make fresh sushi. My favorite meal at Dartmouth was during freshmen orientation, they provide lobster dinners and it was great seeing everyone get down and dirty. My second favorite is Homeplate brunch, where they serve anything from pancakes to french toast, eggs and potatoes. You also have the option of making your own waffle, which I do every week.

2. The Opportunities - Every school says this, but I do think Dartmouth gives you endless opportunities to choose from. Whether its interning at a non-profit internship or building houses in Argentina, Dartmouth will provide you with money so that you can not have any financial burden on your shoulders. Additionally, they will help you prepare your resume and cover letters free of charge. Because of Dartmouth's strong alumni network, you can find someone who is working in the same field that you would like to work in and get your foot in the door. Dartmouth attracts a lot of the top business to our career fairs, and so if you are looking to meet someone who works at Teach for America or Goldman Sachs, they will come to you. Dartmouth sets you up to achieve great things because they believe in providing a well rounded experience to all their students. We don't just study in the classroom, we also volunteer in different organizations, or sing at different events, or dance at nursing homes, or travel cross country on a bus running on vegetable oil. Dartmouth provides its students with endless opportunities.

3. The People - This is the third time it is being said but that's how true it is! The people you meet here are incredible. I constantly stay up till 3 in the morning talking to my peers, finding out how they ended up in Hanover and what they are planning on doing after. One of my friends has already mapped out a 10 year plan of how he is going to become a chief operating officer of a hospital while my other friend is thinking about going into architecture. Everyone is nice and friendly and I can't believe how many times I've heard "you can do your own thing here, and no one will judge you" at Dartmouth. If you are looking for a cool, laid back and friendly gatmosphere, full of people who are ambitious but not cutthroat, Dartmouth is the place for you!

My Top Three

1) Research Opportunities
Although Dartmouth has all of the resources of a university, its main focus is on its undergraduate students, not graduate students. At Dartmouth, college students have the opportunity to engage in research with professors from as early as their freshman year. Through programs like WISP (Women in Science Project) and the Presidential Scholars program (honors research program for juniors in the top 40% of their class), college students are able to participate in research with the professors of their choice. This is a great way for students to gain out of classroom experience in topics of interest to them.

2) Dartmouth Alumni
Dartmouth alumni truly love their alma mater. As a result, alumni constantly give back to the college in numerous ways and current undergraduates benefit from their generosity. Whether alumni are donating their time as career mentors through the alumni database at the career services office or throwing 50 year class reunions during big weekends like homecoming, current undergraduates have the ability to meet and learn a lot from the amazing alumni who came before them on a regular basis.

3) Location
Dartmouth's location offers students the opportunity to have a great college experience. Since the school is not located in a city, college life is truly focused on the campus. Students bond as a community and really get to know each other in a way that's not possible at a lot of other schools.



Photo Credit: Dartmouth Image Gallery

My top three....

Here is why you should apply to Dartmouth conveniently laid out numerically.

1. The D-Plan. So I know that we may have beaten this one into the ground, but the D-Plan is awesome. It is out flexible calendar system which uses four 10-week quarters instead of semesters. Each term you take 3 classes (no more than 4, no less than 2) for ten intense weeks. The cool part is that other than your freshmen Fall - Winter - Spring, senior Fall-Winter-Spring and the Summer after your sophomore year, you get to choose when you want to be here. Essentially, this means you move what would be your summer breaks around. In the end, this means you get to study abroad when you want, or makes you way more competitive for internships etc.

2. The People. Its been said before, but the students, faculty and administrators here are amazing. Dartmouth, as an institution, will bend over backwards to make sure you can accomplish whatever it is that you want to do. The students, specifically, are among the most interesting, passionate people I have ever met in my life. Here is an experiment you can conduct wherever you are: if you see someone wearing a Dartmouth shirt, hat, or hoodie, just go up to them and ask them why they love Dartmouth. Don't forget to mention you are thinking about applying. I guarantee it will be a memorable experience.

3. Study Abroad. Maybe this is part of the D-Plan, but it is amazing enough that its worth repeating. If you want to study abroad, you can and will at Dartmouth. I was able to live with a home-stay in Barcelona, Spain for 10 weeks while taking classes at the University of Barcelona. It was easily the best experience of my Dartmouth career. If you are even remotely thinking about studying abroad, do it. And if I may say so, Dartmouth is the best place to send you on your way.

More info on the D-Plan here.

More info on Study Abroad here.

Photo credit: Joe Mehling and the Dartmouth Flickr

My Top Three

1) People
The people at Dartmouth are absolutely AMAZING!!! Definitely the best reason to apply because everyone is so talented and yet so down-to-earth. I've met some of my best friends here and I'm very grateful that Dartmouth has given me the opportunity to learn from a myriad of incredible individuals.

2) Teaching
According to US News & World Report, Dartmouth is the #1 institution for undergraduate instruction in the country. Dartmouth professors are leaders in their respective fields but the best part is that they come to Dartmouth because they really want to teach. So many other schools flaunt renowned faculty but students barely have access to them because they're so busy doing research. At Dartmouth, students can really connect with their professors...I've taken hip hop dance classes, cooked dinner, and gone star gazing with some of mine!

3) Financial Aid
Need-blind admissions for EVERYONE, including international students and Need-based financial assistance for students who qualify meaning %100 scholarship...what more can I say??

NEW QUESTION OF THE WEEK!

What do you think are the top 3 reasons prospective students should apply to Dartmouth?

Last Week's question of the week was...

What is your favorite extracurricular activity at Dartmouth and why?

The posts below answer last week's question.

Managing the Women's Baseketball Team

For the past two years, I have been the manager for the women's basketball team. Its been fun getting to travel with them to Ohio, Iowa, Arkansas and Texas. As manager, I have to attend all the practices and games. At away games, I help with ordering the meals and making sure everyone is fed. For home games, I get to meet the opposing team and set up the facility for them. We just finished winning our 17th Ivy League Championship and are looking for our 18th this season. However, it isn't all just work for me. The team has become some of my closest friends I have at Dartmouth.

Additionally, before the season started this year, we had an event called Hoops Hype in order to promote the men's and women's basketball teams.

STACCATO : )

STACCATO is Dartmouth's only step team. It was formed this past spring by a group of students who were eager to have a new extracurricular activity on campus. Normally stepping is associated with minority Greek fraternities/sororities, so this group of students wanted to make sure anyone could be involved. I thought it was a great idea because I am not associated with any Greek house, but I always wanted to learn how to step.
This past term I decided to join the step team and I've had a lot of fun. I was nervous at first, but I am happy I jumped out of my comfort zone and tried something new.

The Dartmouth Dodecaphonics

The Dartmouth Dodecaphonics is Dartmouth College's premier acapella group, celebrating 26 years of existence this fall. Dodecaphonics (Dodeca=12, Phonics=sounds) is a misnomer as the group has around 16-20 members depending on the term. The group is extremely diverse, with its membership spanning all years, majors, and home locations that Dartmouth has to provide. We sing mostly pop contemporary music from Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson to Brandy and Jason Mraz. The group mostly performs on campus at shows in fraternities and sororities and on Dartmouth's various stages, but we also go on a tour every year during the beginning of December (the beginning of Dartmouth's winter break). This year we are going to the Washington D.C./Maryland area.

Check out our new website for more information!

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~dodecs/index.html

SHEBA (Strictly Hip-Hop Expressions Beats and Art)

SHEBA Dance Troupe is definitely my favorite campus activity! I'm one of the Directors this year and I absolutely love it!! I had never taken a dance class before coming to Dartmouth but now it's one of my greatest passions. I love learning new hip-hop routines, performing, and choreographing. I never really thought of myself as a creative person; however, dancing has allowed me to express a wide range of emotions and I really appreciate having that outlet. What's great about SHEBA is that it's completely student-run: we schedule our own shows, make our own mixes and create our own dances. We perform at a variety of venues, including school-sponsored events, sporting events, off-campus events at other Ivies, charity shows, and Greek houses. Here is a clip from one of our most recent off-campus shows:

I hope you enjoy :-)

Question of the week: What have you done with one of your leave terms (otherwise known as vacation terms)?

The posts below answer last week's question.

National Partnership for Women and Families

During my sophomore spring, I worked at a non-profit organization called the National Partnership for Women and Families in Washington, DC. I was their communications intern so I had to update their website regularly, update the mailing lists, proofread press releases and organize a project for Mother's Day. My supervisor tried to get me out of the office as much as possible, so I also went to the National Public Radio to watch an interview of one of the health policy advisers. Additionally, I was able to attend a press conference surrounding the Paid Sick Days campaign on capitol hill. I had so much fun during my time there that I honestly am now considering working at a non-profit organization after graduating from Dartmouth.

SEAD

During my junior winter, I worked for the Summer Enrichment at Dartmouth Program (SEAD) as a high school intern in El Cerrito, CA. The mission of SEAD is to expand educational opportunities for promising high school students in selected under-resourced urban and rural schools. As a SEAD intern, I worked with underprivileged students on homework assignments, SAT Prep and scholarship applications. Even though a lot of them lacked financial resources, I saw first-hand how much of a difference one person could make in terms of motivating them to achieve their very best. I don’t come from an affluent background either, but I was fortunate enough to have a strong support system of mentors and educators who believed in me and did everything they could to see me succeed. I found it only natural to mentor and support the next generation of students such as myself. So many people deplore the pitiful state of America’s school system, and yet very few people actually do anything about it. Working as a SEAD Winter Intern during my leave term is definitely one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had because I felt like I was actually having a positive impact on the community.

Say What Magazine

During the summer after my junior year (this past summer), I was an intern at Say What Magazine, which is a part of Young Chicago Authors. The entire editorial board of the magazine consists of young people and the magazine is written for young people. It is used as a literary magazine, a classroom tool, and a general voice for youth voices. The magazine has a national and international readership of around 30,000. I was not only able to write three articles for the magazine, but also help establish a marketing (including social media) and distribution plan. We also went on field trips to cultural centers, poetry readings, and Time Out Magazine. The internship allowed me to gain experience in publications, journalism, and creative writing.

Check out Young Chicago Authors!

http://www.youngchicagoauthors.org/

Reading Intern

My freshman summer I decided to be a reading intern at a summer camp in Baltimore, MD called SuperKids. I found this internship through a Dartmouth Alum's mom who runs the program. My job was to help strengthen the reading skills of 1st and 2nd graders by teaching a class of about 10 of them. Every night I had to prepare a lesson plan that would involve the kids practicing different vowel sounds and reading short stories that had these specific sounds in them. The hardest part of this job was making the kids pay attention because it was the summer time, so I had to find creative ways to make the lesson plans fun. To supplement the classroom learning, enrichment programs would take place every afternoon. These programs consisted of going to the harbor and learning about pieces on a ship, playing games outside to learn about the environment, learning music notes to understand sound, etc...

This internship was one of my favorite experiences because it not only helped me become less timid, but it also allowed me to have a positive impact on someone's life. I am from Baltimore, so for me to be able to give back to the future leaders of my city was a good feeling : ).

Question of the Week: What was the hardest part of your transition into college?

The posts below answer last week's question of the week.

Seeking Help

The hardest part of my college transition was learning that it’s okay to seek out help if I’m struggling in a class; I’m not expected to be amazing at everything even though this is Dartmouth. Sometimes it can be hard to acknowledge that fact because after leaving a high school where you excelled in numerous things, you expect to be just as on point in college. During my freshmen year, I found that subjects that I had formally been really good at were all of a sudden a lot harder for me to keep up in and subjects I used to hate, I became really good at. Instead of continuing to feel sorry for myself, I learned quickly to seek out tutors and study groups from the academic skills center, when necessary, and also to be proactive about attending my professor’s office hours for additional advising. I also pushed my fear of speaking to upperclassmen aside and began to ask older students what they did to pass the classes I was taking. Once I realized that there was no stigma surrounding seeking help for courses, it became a lot easier for me to embrace the idea of getting assistance for my classes; Getting outside help for classes eventually led to my improvement in my courses.

Need Advice?

As a high school student, many of my academic choices were pretty much made for me based on what my school had to offer. As a college student at a place like Dartmouth, I quickly realized that opportunities for learning were endless. Recognizing that it was ok to be confused about academic choices and feeling comfortable enough to ask for advice was something I definitely struggled with at first. In high school, I didn't have to look very far for advice because I had access to centralized resources like the guidance office and the career center. Not to mention the path to college looked very much like a yellow brick road. In college, things are a lot more complicated and there are far fewer clear paths, if any. I learned that in order to take advantage of the opportunities here, I needed advice from others and in order to get the best advice, I really needed to be proactive. It took me a while, but I finally started speaking with upperclass students, faculty, undergraduate advisors, academic deans, students in my major department, etc. As early as freshman year, I was trying to decide whether to study abroad, intern in DC or complete research for a professor on campus and having a support network of peer-counselors definitely helped me make the right decisions.

I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T

The hardest part of my college transition was learning how to be independent. In high school, my parents were always my back-up alarm clock if I overslept, but I didn't have that same luxury when I first came to college. There was no one telling me to get up, to go to class, or to do my homework, so I really had to become more self-sufficient.
Going off to college is essentially equivalent to living on your own, so I couldn't really depend on my parents to do things for me anymore (i.e. like laundry or cooking dinner). Although it was hard at first, I can say that learning to be more independent has made me more responsible and more prepared for the real world.

Reading!

As a Government major and Environmental Studies minor, I have to do a lot of reading. College everywhere is different from high school in a number of ways, but the most difficult part of the transition for me was learning how to accomplish all the reading my professors expected. You will have to read more than you thought possible in college. Whereas in high school you have to read a chapter a night, in college, there is a strong likelihood you will have to read the whole book for the next class. Not to scare you or anything, but it's a lot of reading. Luckily, if you know this coming in, you can prepare yourself. Learn how to skim effectively. Dartmouth also offers a great speed reading course which a friend of mine recently took that helped him speed up significantly.

So be ready, but don't be scared. In college you get to take classes that interest you, so the reading isn't bad. It's a lot easier to read a book when its in a subject you love.

More info on academic resources here.

Balancing Act

The most difficult part about college is learning how to balance schoolwork with extracurricular activities. Since we only take three classes, we spend at most ten hours per week in the classroom! Just to give you an example, I am done with classes before noon every day. That is actually really daunting as a freshmen when your whole entire high school experience has been scheduled for you. You have so much free time that, if you are like me and like to keep busy, you will end up joining numerous amounts of clubs and activities and find that you don't have enough time to do your homework. Freshmen year, I would start my homework at 11 pm or midnight because during the day I was either working at the Fitness Center or attending meetings. In college, because there is no one telling you when to do your homework, it is hard to cut out time in order to sit down and actually complete the homework that professors assign or even to just study for an exam. However, I painfully learned the importance of cutting out activities in order to focus on my academics. Unfortunately, there aren't enough hours in the day to do everything that you want to do. Therefore, I have learned to dedicate hours towards two - three organizations that I care a lot about and save the rest of my time to be able to study and complete my schoolwork.

(Picture credit: http://trueanduseful.eponym.com/blog/SelfCareWellbeing/_archives/2007/2/27/2762244.html)

Question of the week: What have been some of your favorite performances or speakers at Dartmouth?

The posts below are responses to last week's question of the week.

Sweet Honey in the Rock

The best performance I have seen at Dartmouth (and possibly one of the best I have seen in my life) was during my junior winter by a all female vocal a capella group named Sweet Honey in the Rock. This Grammy award winning group is composed of have 5 members with a 6th member that interprets their songs in American Sign Language. They are incredible vocalists, drawing influence from African traditional songs, jazz, and the gospel music, spirituals, hymns of the African-American church. Their lyrics usually evoke some kind of contemporary narrative about their lives, womanhood, or other cultural issues. They incorporate a lot of audience participation during their shows as well. I have never felt so part of a performance. Not only was the music enrapturing but the sharing of thoughts and feelings between audience and performer was profound and something that I never felt before. I highly encourage you to check out their music!

(Photo courtesy of: http://hop.dartmouth.edu/2008-09/090123-sweethoney.html)

William Kamkwambe

If you haven't yet heard of William Kamkwamba, you should. At the age of 15, William built a homemade windmill in his small Malawian village out of bicycle parts and scraps from a local junkyard. He taught himself the basics of windmills via an old British science textbook, despite not being able to read english. From this initial project, William, now 22, has been able to provide electricity and running water to his village.

I had the pleasure of meeting and hearing William speak here at Dartmouth just a few weeks ago while he was on a tour of the US to both promote his book, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, and visit colleges he may be interested in attending. He, through the simple act of telling his story, was able to inspire all of us in the audience. I happened to also get the chance to give William a tour of the College, and he is, without a doubt, one of the most amazing people I have ever met.

Definitely check out his book and blog!

Marian Wright Edelman

Similar to Charnice's experience, I had the opportunity to hear Marian Wright Edelman speak as the keynote speaker during the week long celebration for Martin Luther King Jr. It was amazing for me in particular because I am very passionate about the education system in America. Having her come and speak her mind about the subject matter made me decide to become a education minor. Even though I am no longer able to fit the entire education minor into my schedule, I have still take education classes and participate in activities that involve middle school children.

Additionally, she was a very lively speaker for her age! She engaged with the audience in a way I haven't seen before. It was simply an amazing experience.

(Picture credit: http://www.californiawomen.org/assets/Uploads/Marian-Wright-Edelman-pf.jpg )

So You Think You Can Dance?

I'm in a lot of campus organizations, but my favorite activity by far is Sheba Hip-Hop Dance Troupe because I absolutely love to dance!! There's just something about being able to express different kinds of emotions, various levels of energy, and just pure creativity by moving your body. It should come as no surprise that two of my favorite Dartmouth events were incredible dance performances: one by Savion Glover my sophomore winter and the other by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater my sophomore spring. When I saw Savion, "the indisputable tap virtuoso" of our time, I was completely captivated by his style. His steps were so powerful, they gave me chills because it was as if his rhythms were palpable. Likewise, Ailey was simply breathtaking. I was truly inspired by the way in which he used music from the African-American tradition and modern dance to portray everything from passion and joy to struggle and pain. I even got a chance to meet the dancers afterwards, something I will never forget!!! (See top photo)

(Left picture courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/hopkinscenter/3570209063/)

Harry Belafonte

Every January, Dartmouth community members and students have a two-week long program full of different events to celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Each year there is a different theme that in some way explores the powerful history of the US as well as the relationships within our diverse society.

During my freshman year, Harry Belafonte was the keynote speaker at one of these events. I really admire Belafonte as a singer, actor, and activist, so for him to come here and speak to us was such an exhilarating moment. I was absolutely blown away by how eloquent and inspiring his speech was.

Dartmouth does a really good job of getting influential speakers to come here and I am really looking forward to see who the next one will be.

(Picture courtesy of: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~vox/0607/0108/belafonte.html)

Dancing, Inspirational Speeches, and Singing!

At Dartmouth I have seen so many great shows and heard so many interesting lectures that it's almost hard to pick one. So I've narrowed my choice down to three (lol): one performance, one lecture, and one Dartmouth performance group showcase. I love to dance and one dance company that I've always admired since I was a little girl is the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. During my sophomore year, Dartmouth brought this group to campus and I had the opportunity to see them perform for only $5. If I were at home, in New York, tickets would have cost me a lot more than that. I couldn't believe how lucky I was to see such an amazing group on my college campus...In terms of interesting lectures, last year I had the opportunity to hear Cory Booker, the current mayor of Newark,NJ, speak as part of one of the Rockefeller Center's on going lecture series. He was amazing and truly inspired me as he talked about how he got to where he was today and why he is so passionate about the work that he does. I think it's awesome how Dartmouth always tries to bring such dynamic and diverse speakers to campus...Lastly, I would like to highlight one of Dartmouth's own performance groups, the Gospel Choir. Every term it puts on phenomenal concerts in addition to amazing performances at numerous events. While at the concert, one can't help but to clap and sing along and the Gospel Choir concerts are always packed each term. The great thing about the group is that anyone can join (from students to community members). If I didn't have only 2 1/2 terms left at Dartmouth, I would probably join the Gospel Choir too.

(Picture courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/dartmouthflickr/3947930510/)

Question of the Week: What is your favorite part of Homecoming Weekend?

The posts below are responses to last week's question of the week.

Fun Times!

What I love about Homecoming weekend is how campus comes to life in a way that is unique from any other time of year at Dartmouth. As everyone already mentioned, there is so much to do on campus. Whether you enjoy a good sports event (football, rugby, soccer, etc.), enjoy meeting and talking to alumni, or just want to go to a fun party, Homecoming weekend has it all. In some ways I think Homecoming weekend truly embodies the spirit of Dartmouth in general. Traditions like the bonfire bring everyone together but there is also always something else occuring that allows people to engage in and explore their own individual interest.

*FOOTBALL GAME*

The homecoming football game is definitely the best part of our fall celebration! I love it because it really brings the Dartmouth community together... students, parents, alumni, administrators, everyone wears green and cheers for the team. Students especially go crazy! Class shirts, face paint, interesting attire, sideline chants, you name it, we got it! We even have an unofficial tradition of freshmen rushing the field during halftime just to show that they're not the "worst class ever". This year, we defeated Columbia 28-6 at Memorial Field and President Kim proudly supported the team with the entire Dartmouth community by cheering from the sidelines. GO BIG GREEN!!!!



(Left picture courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/dartmouthflickr/4039711667/)

(Right picture courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/dartmouthflickr/4040463726/)

Homecoming!

Besides the huge bonfire event, this weekend I am really looking forward to seeing the recent alums. A lot of the people that just graduated from Dartmouth come back to campus to enjoy the weekend festivities. It is wonderful to reconnect with those that I have not seen in awhile and to learn more about their life post-Dartmouth.

I am also excited about the many events that will be occurring this weekend. For instance, one of the fraternities, BETA, is having a tailgating party before the football game. The entire campus is welcome to enjoy great food, great music, and great people.

Dartmouth Alumni!

In my opinion, Dartmouth's alumni are hands down her greatest asset. They do so much to provide opportunities and guidance to current and former students, and there are way more of them then there are current students. Moreover, they are crazy about Dartmouth. I have been hugged by complete strangers in foreign countries simply because we share the Dartmouth Experience. For all of these reasons, the returning alumni are my favorite part of Homecoming. You can see them flooding the Green and common student spaces, eyes practically filling with tears as they remember their time here on the Hill.

I still remember my second Homecoming, sophomore year, I ran into a couple with their young son standing outside of my dorm. I asked if they needed directions, and it turned out that the father had been a student here and had actually lived in my dorm. When I asked which room, you can imagine my surprise to find out that he had lived in my room 16 years earlier. I ended up opening my room up to the family and the father spent a good 20 minutes telling us about how he had arranged the furniture, and the time when his roommate had gotten lost and climbed in through the window. Needless to say, Dartmouth alums certainly bring a lot of colorful stories back to campus every fall!

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/molumus/3405440341/in/photostream/

To learn more about Dartmouth Alumni click here:

The Bonfire

Homecoming Weekend is the big "party" weekend of the fall quarter at Dartmouth and is probably my favorite big weekend of all four (the other three being Winter Carnival, Green Key Weekend (during the spring), and Fieldstock (during the summer)). My favorite part of the festivities is the bonfire, which, traditionally, is the focus of the weekend. Freshman spend the week preceding the event building a huge bonfire with their class number at the top and then on the night of the bonfire (the Friday of Homecoming) all of the freshman are rounded up in a parade around campus to the freshman dorms that ends at the bonfire. Freshman are then challenged to run around the bonfire, now ablaze, 100 times plus their year (this year the freshman, members of the class of 2013, are supposed to run around the bonfire 113 times). The rest of the student body, Dartmouth staff, and Hanover residents come and support and cheer for the freshman as they attempt to complete this task. It is one of the few times that the entire Dartmouth community is together during the year.

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Picture courtesy of Vox at Dartmouth: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~vox/0405/1025/homecoming.html

Question of the Week: What is the most interesting thing that you have done with a Dartmouth professor?

The posts below are responses to last week's question of the week.

Faculty-Student mixers

Here at Dartmouth there are lots of opportunities to get to know professors outside of the classroom. Many organizations hold faculty-student mixer events each term. One of my favorite spring term events is the annual block party that an organization called Africaso hosts. At this event there is always tons of good food, student performances and great discussion. Last year, at the event, I had the opportunity to reconnect with some of my former professors. We talked about current vs. old school music and my college life in general while eating barbeque and hanging out outside. It was an all around good time and it was a lot of fun to having the opportunity to talk with my professor in a non-academic environment.

Studying Abroad

I would have also said something about Professor Jennifer Sargent since Harmony and I were in the same seminar class with her, but Harmony already took her! However, I have had many amazing experiences with professors at Dartmouth. One of my most fond professor/student relationships was developed with Professor Kilbane who lead my French Language Study Abroad in Lyon, France. While most of the classes on an Language Study Abroad program are taught by professors from that particular country at the university you are studying at, one of the classes is taught by the Dartmouth professor that is in charge of the trip. We were not only able to have class with her but travel around France, go wine tasting, and visit cafes in Lyon! It was a great, informal way to get to know her.

Class Discussion + Road Trip + Dinner?

So probably the most interesting thing I have done with a professor happened this past spring in my English 8: Journalism class with Professor Alexis Jetter. Throughout the class, we had a number of writing assignments from an observation piece to an in depth, feature length article. As a way to wrap up the term, Prof. Jetter canceled our last class session, and instead emailed out directions to her home for a potluck dinner. We spent a few hours exploring her gorgeous rural home, playing with her two children, eating good food, and sitting around a campfire reading excerpts from our own writing. It was just a great, low-stress way to end the term and was probably the coolest thing I have ever done with a professor, or a class for that matter.

For more information on the English Department click here.

Having fun with a Prof

The most interesting thing that I have done with a prof would have to be during my off campus experience. Every off-campus program at Dartmouth always has a Dartmouth Professor that goes with the group. When I studied abroad in Rome, Professor Viazmenski (or Julia since she wanted to be on an informal basis) not only taught our literature class, but took us to plays, restaurants, and even the beach. She also brought her children with her, who were about 5 and 1, so we really got to know her outside her teaching role. I had a great time learning in the classroom with my prof as well as going on mini 'vacations' with her.

Hip Hop Booty and Abs

At Dartmouth, freshmen are required to take a first-year seminar. My first-year seminar professor also taught a physical education class I took called Hip Hop Booty and Abs. The class was absolutely ridiculous!! It was a mixture of cardio, kick-boxing, aerobics, and hip-hop dancing... after 10 minutes I could barely breath haha. But it was fantastic because she had so much energy and such a great attitude. It was also cool because she's a local judge and she taught my first-year seminar on Criminal Law. Having a professor who could easily transition from a formal setting like the courtroom to hardcore hip hop booty and abs really inspired me to stay true to myself during my time at Dartmouth and beyond. Thanks Professor Sargent!

Question of the week: What is your favorite study spot on campus and why?

The posts below answer this past week's question of the week: What is your favorite study spot on campus and why?

The 1902 Room

So I don't study here often, but if I ever need to work into the wee hours of the morning, or just need devastating silence while working, I head to the 1902 Room, off the main hall of Baker Library. As one of the only major study space open 24 hours a day, the 1902 Room has become the the hub for late night extreme studying or paper writing. Everyone in the 1902 knows it's taboo to speak too loud, or answer their cell phone. Even better, it is a gorgeous room. Everyone at Dartmouth has had to spend at least a handful of night in the 1902 before they graduate. Like I said before, I am lucky that I haven't had to spend too much time there, but the 1902 room is a pretty great study spot if you are really looking to get things done.

For more information on the Dartmouth Library System click here.

Picture credit: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/3367994869_9c41050c3e.jpg

Orozco Room in Baker Library

The Orozco Room in Baker Library is simply incredible. Its beauty comes from The Epic of American Civilization, an impressive mural painted by renowned Mexican artist José Clemente Orozco. The mural covers about three thousand square feet and offers a fascinating narrative about the development of our beautiful country through trial and triumph. Every time I study in the Orozco Room, I’m reminded of all the people who struggled so that I would have the opportunities I’ve been given today, and that motivates me to work really hard because I feel grateful. It’s also very convenient because it’s on the lower level of Baker Library and so there is very little traffic, which makes it an ideal place to read books and write papers. Plus, the Reserve Room is located on this floor, so anytime I need a book for class that a professor has made available through the library, I can just pick it right up.

(Picture courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/dartmouthflickr/3846230512/)

Rauner Special Collections Library

The Rauner Special Collections Library is one of a number of libraries at Dartmouth College and it is my favorite one, hands down. The building houses valuable archives, manuscripts, and rare books including works by Faulkner, Hemingway, Daniel Webster (Class of 1801), Robert Frost (Class of 1896), early drawings by Theodor Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss, Class of 1925), and one of Shakespeare's folios. The building itself has won architectural awards. I love the space because it is beautiful and has large windows facing out towards "the beach" or the area between the main entrance to Baker Library and the Green. It also has the most comfortable couches on campus on the mezzanine!

Sanborn Library

Have you ever wanted to study in one of those libraries that look old but it is gorgeous on the inside? Where you are surrounded by books so once you get in you feel like you could write a 5 page paper in 30 minutes? Okay, maybe that was a little extreme, however Sanborn Library is really one of those places. I love studying in Sanborn because of the mood of the room. I can go in and sit there and write a paper and literally lose track of time. The unfortunate part about Sanborn is that A LOT of students discover that studying in Sanborn is awesome and so it can get a little crowded around mid-term and exam time. However, if you can get a spot in Sanborn, it is definitely one of those places where you can just sit and get all your work done with very few to no distractions.

(Picture courtesy of http://www.kensjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/dartmouth-02.jpg)

My cozy abode : )

Despite what all the academic advisers say, my favorite place to study is in my room. I have to be really comfortable and free from all distractions if I want to get my work done. I usually like to lie in my bed when I read because it is very comfortable and relaxing. I also like to get up every now and then to stretch, walk around or grab snacks and I think people would look at me weird if I started wondering aimlessly around the library.

Also, so many people study in the library and I've tried to do the same, but I always get distracted. Whether it's from people talking or just walking around, I cannot focus. Even if there is not a single person around me, I still find myself being distracted by every single creak and crack. It eventually starting taking me more time to find a good place to study, then the time I was actually using to study. So, I gave up my search and started studying in my room, which really worked for me over the years.

NEW Question of the Week!

What is your favorite study spot on campus and why? Picture must be included...













Picture credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/smiling-gardener/3840101430/

Question fo the week: What is one thing you are looking forward to this term?

The posts below answer this past week's question of the week: What is one thing you are looking forward to this term?

Foliage and Freshmen

Alright, I know it makes me sound like a member of the older generation, but Hanover is gorgeous in fall. The trees are just about at peak for colors and the "leaf-peepers" (bus loads of tourists to New England just to witness the Fall foliage) are everywhere. On almost a daily basis, I can see crowds of people, armed with digital cameras and pack lunches, all milling about the Green. Its a gorgeous, festive season to experience.

On top of the trees and tourists, I am looking forward to continuing to meet the new first-year students ('13s) via my different activities. The newest members of our a cappella group are amazingly talented and the freshmen always seem to bring a new enthusiasm to clubs, meetings, classes, the gym; everywhere.

So that's what I am looking forward to. The continued bursting of the fall foliage here in New England and the enthusiasm that new students always seem to bring with them.

Picture credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/20724871@N00/269846140/

Performance Groups

Every fall term, each performance group on campus (meaning, acapella, dance, and improv comedy groups) hosts auditions and selects new members from the incoming Freshman class. Most of the groups have a first show of the term where they feature their new members in various ways. I am a member of the Dartmouth Dodecaphonics, Dartmouth College's oldest co-ed acapella group. We took four new members and during their first show of the term they have to put on a skit explaining who they are and how they ended up singing with the Dodecs. The skit is usually hilarious and showcases the talents of the new members. I am looking forward to seeing the new talent in all of the groups in their respective first shows of the term.

*CONCERTS*

When prospective students visit Dartmouth's campus, the one question they always ask is "What is there do to in Hanover?" Well just last weekend, one of our student organizations called Programming Board planned a concert with incredible acts such as Gym Class Heroes and Wale! This weekend, a fraternity on campus is bringing up an artist called Maino! In terms of planning social activities, Dartmouth students are really lucky because we have tons of resources available to support ideas we may have or events we want to coordinate. I'm so excited to see what else Dartmouth students have planned for the term!

First Basketball Game!!

Since I am the manager of the women's basketball team, I am looking forward to seeing our women play in their first game. For those of you who might not know this, Dartmouth's women's basketball team has won the Ivy League Title for the past two years in a row AND we made it to the NCAA tournament last season! So, you can see why I am really looking forward to seeing them play this season. Our first game isn't until November 14th so I will have to find something else to occupy my time with :-). However, if you are interested in coming and supporting the women's team, the game on November 14th is at home and we are playing Bryant University.

If you want to follow the team, feel free by clicking on this link: Dartmouth Women's Basketball Team .

First Snow!

Usually before the end of Fall term it will snow at least once in Hanover. The first snowfall of the year is always an exciting event because the whole school partakes in a huge snowball fight. On the evening of the first snowfall, a student will blitz (e-mail) out to the entire student population and announce that there will be a snowball fight on the green at midnight. Regardless of whether people were studying in the library, getting food at food court or just hanging out in their dorms, at midnight, a bunch of people will make their way to the green for at least half an hour of fun. While chasing friends across the green and getting hit with snow from behind, the snowball fight always ends up being a great way to let loose, meet new people and just relax for a bit.

Homecoming!!

The one thing that I am looking forward to this term is Homecoming! It's so exciting to see all the freshmen get their first taste of Dartmouth traditions. It all begins with the freshman sweep, which involves going around to each freshmen cluster (residential dorms) and picking up the freshman to join the crowd. After all the clusters are visited, the freshman march to the green (huge lawn area, which is the center point of campus) where the bonfire is. As tradition goes, the 20-30 foot bonfire (which the freshman class help build) is lit on fire and the freshmen are supposed to run around it as many times as their class year. For example, my class (2010) had to run around 110 times, the class of 2011 had to run 111 times, the class of 2012 had to run 112 times, and so on. A lot of alumni and community members come out to support the freshmen class in their efforts to complete this task. Not that many people complete the entire journey, including me, but it is definitely a fun experience that cannot be missed.

A member of Dartmouth's newest class, the '13s, tells about his first week at Dartmouth.

The posts below answer last week's topic.

Orientation Nearing an End

So Orientation has drawn to a close and classes have begun. Over the past couple days, I picked my classes and bought my books. I'm able to take classes that I never thought I would have. I'm taking History of Medieval Europe, Introduction to Anthropology, and Calculus of One and Several variables. Now that classes have started, I continue to meet new people and hang out with the ones I met through groups like Club Ultimate Frisbee. I couldn’t really have asked for a greater orientation. I now feel home.

So, to all the prospective students looking at my posts, come to Dartmouth! It may just be the best decision you ever make.

So Many Orientation Activities!

So Orientation has continued for a few days now and it is still very awesome. Not only am I making so many new friends, but also a ton of activities are being thrown in our direction. Just yesterday, I went to an ultimate Frisbee tournament, an a cappella showcase, and even a hypnotist (very funny!). Our floor even threw a mini dance party to do the dances that we learned on our DOC trips. While there may only be three days left of Orientation, I’m looking forward to every minute of that and the rest of the school year.

First Year Summer Reading Lecture

As Orientation continues there are so many things to attend it is nearly unbelievable. And last night, we enjoyed a very special treat. Our summer reading this year was Mountains beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder, a book describing the work of Dr. Paul Farmer, Ophelia Dahl and our new president, Jim Yong Kim. Last night, they met exclusively with our class to discuss the book and the work they do. It was remarkable to hear them speak. We were able to ask them questions and hear them discuss their experiences. It was as if we were all engaging in a conversation with over 1,000 people. At the end, we gave each of them one of our class shirts; they seemed to have enjoyed it.

I’m very much looking forward to the rest of this week’s activities!

(Photo by Joseph Mehling '69)

Orientation!

Hey prospies! My name is Steve Tebbe and I’m a ’13. I thought that it would be helpful to hear the thoughts of somebody who just went through the process that you’re about to go through.

Well, this is only my third day on campus, but so much has happened. After I got back from my DOC trip (which I must add was pretty awesome), I’m all moved in and now meeting the rest of my floor. Today, my class and I matriculated and officially became members of the Dartmouth community.

It was pretty interesting the way some things were run. For instance, due to the recent outbreak of H1N1 across the country, spreading germs was a concern with all thousand plus members of the 2013 class. So rather than doing the traditional handshake when receiving our class pin, we did a fist bump. It was actually rather fun doing a fist bump with a member of the Class of 1963, the class that supports the '13s.

I will be posting more as the start of my freshman year unfolds. Just let me know if you have any questions.

(Photo by Joseph Mehling '69)

In the meantime...

While our awesome upper-class students are on vacation, orientation for the Class of 2013 is well underway. In the coming few days you'll hear from a freshly minted '13, Steve Tebbe, about his first days on campus.

Vacation

We are enjoying the break between summer term & fall term, so our blog posts will be minimal until classes resume on Sept. 23rd. In the meantime, join "Discover Dartmouth" on Facebook to stay connected!

When you were applying to college, what was the one thing you were nervous about? i.e. essays, interviews, making new friends, etc..

The posts below answer last week's blog question.

The essay really isn't that bad...really

I was deathly afraid of the college essay. I thought the essay had to be a topic that was really really profound and so obscure that no one ever would think about writing about it. It took me forever to come up with something because I was limiting myself so much. I wrote my essay for Dartmouth about my favorite quote. And truthfully I just happened on the topic. One day I picked up a notebook from junior year and it fell open to a page with this Winston Churchill quote that my prof had used to start the class: "History will be kind to me for I intend to write it..."

ADVICE: Pick something that you can write passionately about...it will be your best writing. Also some "overly" popular topics tend to be: The Great Gatsby, grandparent(s) (Write about whatever you want even your grandparents or Gatsby if that's what your passionate about....but make sure it's unique and says something about you that the rest of your app doesn't.)

SAT/ACT Scores!!

When I was applying to colleges, I was so nervous that my SAT scores were not high enough to be admitted to top notch schools. My grades were good, I was involved in a ton of different things, but my SATs did not show my hard work and dedication to academics. Fortunately, Dartmouth takes a holistic approach to the application process and SAT scores are not the end of the admissions decision. When an Admissions Officer reads an application they look at the whole package: your extracurricular activities, the class you take, how you contributed to your community, and if you've challenged yourself throughout high school.

So, if you don't have perfect SAT/ACT scores (or anywhere near what you think is a "good" score) don't worry. Make sure to present yourself the best you can throughout the rest of your application; in your essay, your recommendations, your resume, etc. Do the best you can, and everything will work out in the end!

Making New Friends

The one thing I was most nervous about was making new friends. I was so used to the friends I had made for four years in high school that I was really nervous about finding my group of close knit friends again. Also, it doesn't help that I am a fairly shy person.

However, as soon as I arrived on campus, I was able to make friends easily because the people here were so friendly and nice. It was really silly of me to even think that making friends was going to be an obstacle for me with how many great people attend Dartmouth. The people here are so nice, genuine and down-to-earth which is the reason why I was able to make friends so quickly. Since a lot of people are very active on campus, by just joining one organization, I was able to meet a lot of great people that I wouldn't have met in my classes.

I have found that the people at Dartmouth are consistently nice and friendly people and they are the reason why I am still enjoying my time here at Dartmouth.

Too many opportunities?

I think my biggest fear coming to Dartmouth was knowing how to navigate and choose between all of the different opportunities, both curricular and extracurricular, that exist on campus. I was anxious about continuing some of the activities I participated in while in high school but also branching out and trying new things. Luckily, I think Dartmouth does a good job in marketing all the different opportunities to students, especially when you are a first-year. Your UGA, or Undergraduate Adviser, who lives on your floor, is a great resource for this kind of information. Unlike RA's at other schools, the UGA has no disciplinary responsibilities. They are really there to give you advice and keep you up to date on different opportunities on campus and deadlines etc. Every UGA also has a small budget from the College to spend on programming for the floor like pizza parties and small get-togethers to discuss picking a major or really anything you want to talk about. Through my UGA and first year adviser, I learned how to apply to study abroad, what extracurriculars I might want to join and a lot about living on campus and taking advantage of all the great things going on at Dartmouth.

Long story short: don't worry about navigating Dartmouth! There are a ton of resources available to help you.

Essays!!

When I was applying to college, I was really nervous about the personal essay. My counselors always told me that the essays were a big part of any college application because I had complete control over it. I could decide how and what I wanted to write. As a result, I wrote tons of drafts trying to figure out what was the best way that I could portray myself.

I remember writing drafts ranging from a day at my high school to my family interactions. Because I wrote so many different essays, I ultimately don't remember what I actually submitted to schools.

But the best advice that I can give is just to be yourself and let who you are as a person come across to anybody who would read your essay.

Click here to read tips that a columnist has about writing college essays.

Dartmouth is known for its super involved and enthusiastic alumni. What's one memorable experience you have had with a Dartmouth alum?

The posts below answer last week's blog question.

Aumni Connections!

Dartmouth has very strong connections with its alumni, and does a wonderful job connecting current students with alumni and making sure those relationships exist even after 4 years in Hanover. I have so many wonderful memories with alums, and some have become good friends.

I was a member of the Hill Winds Society, a student organization dedicated to establishing connections between students and alumni and organizing programs on campus to build these relationships. We met with alumni during major weekends like Homecoming and Winter Carnival and class reunions. One of my fondest memories was this past year right before the Homecoming Bonfire we organized an event with some hot cocoa and facepainting and brought together Dartmouth students and local alumni for a good time before seeing the freshmen run around the fire. It was awesome to see so many people connect and relive their Dartmouth experiences and cheer on the freshmen as they were frying next tot he Bonfire!

I've very fortunate to have met so many wonderful alums who offered job advice, life advice, and just good laughs. I can't believe finally joined their ranks! I know for fact that as an alum I will continue to be supportive of Dartmouth, and give back in the small ways that I can.

Alumni Moments

I have had some awesome and not so great moments with alumni. My first bad encounter was actually for my interview for Dartmouth. All of the Dartmouth applicants met at a center in downtown Baltimore and waited in a room until an alum came and got us. The selection process was random; whichever alum was done with their interviewee came in the room and took whichever student was next in line. Of course I was very nervous because I had no idea who I was going to get.

When I sat down with my interviewer he told me he graduated in the early 70s (which was before Dartmouth was coeducational). The whole interview was kind of awkward because I felt like he wasn't trying to get to know me as a person as opposed to just asking me questions so he could hurry up the process. I remember leaving the interview telling my mom that I didn't think I got into Dartmouth because I thought the interview was bad.

But look where I'm at! It just goes to show that interviews aren't everything and you shouldn't give up on a school because of one bad encounter.

I have also had many great moments with alumni. When I went to Thailand, a former Dartmouth Graduate who now works for IBM Thailand invited me and the other Dartmouth student on my program, Casey, out to lunch. We all just chatted about our experiences and she offered to find Casey and I internships in Thailand for the summer. Also, the Dartmouth Club of Thailand organized a dinner for Casey and I so that we could meet more Dartmouth Alums. Some of them were very prominent figures which made me a little nervous at first. They were all down to earth and it was a great experience interacting with them. I had a lot of fun.

We Bleed Green!

My most memorable experience with Dartmouth alums was cheering for our Girls' Varsity Basketball Team this year when they went to the NCAA Playoffs. Our girls made it to the first round of the NCAA tournament which means they played the number 1 seed University of MD, College Park's, Lady Terps. I grew up watching MD girls but I knew I had to cheer on my Dartmouth girls. I came to the game in Big Green apparel and was scared for my life in a sea of Terps fans. I expected to be the ONLY Dartmouth fan at the game...but as I walked into the arena, I heard a group of people yelling "YEAAAAAAA DARTMOUTH!!!." There was an entire cheering section of Dartmouth alums and their families. We all sat together and had an amazing time cheering on our girls and talking trash! Granted we suffered a huge loss, but it was so great to be surrounded by so many people of all ages who didn't care that we were the underdog. Afterwards, there was a reception for mixing and mingling. That night I realized more than ever that nothing can overcome the pride that Dartmouth alums have in our school. We really do BLEED GREEN.

Gift of a Lifetime

My most memorable experience with a Dartmouth alumnus occurred this past fall. I was invited by the Dartmouth College Fund to attend a scholarship luncheon because this year a Dartmouth alumnus decided to fund my tuition. I was extremely nervous to be meeting a guy who didn't even know me but just from reading my file decided to help pay for my education. However, he did not make me feel awkward at all. If anything, I think I made him feel awkward for even saying thank you!

If you are like me, I wondered why anyone would give a ridiculous amount of money to their alma mater. However, the moment I met him, I knew the reason why he choose to donate his money to the school, he absolutely LOVES Dartmouth. Mr. Rees-Jones discusses his time at Dartmouth as a very enjoyable experience and he has always wanted to give back to Dartmouth.

The reasons why the moment was memorable are: First, he had the thickest Texan accent I have EVER heard, and I am from Texas. But that made him even more genuine.

Second, from the moment we met to the end of the lunch, he was constantly asking me what I did on campus, if I was enjoying my time here, where my family was from, what am I studying and so on and so forth. He wanted to actually get to know me.

Third, he was very humble. He never once flaunted his wealth in any way even though he is also funding five other Dartmouth students' tuitions.

Mr. Trevor Rees-Jones '73 has definitely made an impact on my life and I am grateful for everything he has done for the College and for me.

To find out more about his HUGE donation to the school click here: Mr. Trevor Rees-Jones ' 73

P.S. I didn't know this about him till I left the luncheon and went to my room and googled him. However, in 2007 Forbes named Mr. Rees-Jones in the top 400! Read more about the article here: Forbes Article

Looking for advice? Talk to an alum!

My most memorable experience with an alum of Dartmouth came my sophomore year, while looking for an internship for one of my Leave terms. I remember hearing about Career Services and their network of alumni but I wasn't too sure if they could help me. When I walked in, though, they sat me down at a computer and showed me how to use the database of alumni advisors. Between Career Service and Alumni Relations, there are literally thousands of alumni who have given their personal phone numbers and email addresses so that Dartmouth undergraduates can contact them for advice, guidance, or anything at all. At the time, I thought I wanted to go into the entertainment industry, so I looked up producers, actors, and business people associated with TV, movies, and music. Eventually I found a handful of alums who lived where I was looking and simply sent them an email. The following week I was on the phone with a producer from MSNBC, the head of ESPN International, and an alum who had worked for Comedy Central when he was an undergrad. I think that's when I realized the Dartmouth alum are crazy, passionate, enthusiastic and completely in love with Dartmouth.

Dartmouth FLICKR photo stream!

UNRELATED TO QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

More great photos of Dartmouth and student life here: the Dartmouth Flickr stream

Dartmouth Lingo!...What are some of your favorite words, terms, phrases, etc that are unique to Dartmouth?

The posts below answer last week's blog question.

Dartmouth Lingo

It seems Dartmouth students like to shorten a lot of words:

The Hop: This stands for The Hopkins Center. Most students will say, "Let's eat at The Hop" which really refers to Courtyard Cafe inside the Hop.

LSA: Language Study Abroad

FSP: Foreign Study Program

HPO: Hanover Police

S&S: Safety and Security - Dartmouth security officers

More Dartmouth Lingo!

facetime: When one desires attention by being somewhere where they know others will see them. Usage: "You don't really study on the first floor of the library, you just get facetime." This can also be used as an adjective to describe someone who pursues 'facetime'.


wicked: This word has a special place in my heart because of its prominent usage in New Hampshire. Being from Hanover, I have always used "wicked" to mean "very" or "extra." Most Dartmouth students pick up the term and bring it home at some point. Usage: "Man, it rained wicked hard yesterday" or "I thought that test was wicked easy."

EVENT: Fieldstock

Right now all of the talk on campus is focused on Summer Term's big weekend: Fieldstock. Fieldstock is a newer tradition that was started four year ago. (Before we had Tubestock, which involved events on the river, but safety regulations and NH state law killed it...RIP.) As a sophomore I've been anticipating this event for all of Sophomore Summer.

So what happens during Fieldstock? Teams sign up to compete in a sort of mini-Olympics that consists of all sorts of crazy events. There is a "flair"** showcase (note the Dartmouth Vocab lesson below), an eating competition, an obstacle course, and many other team events. The highlight of all of the events is the Human Chariot Race. After all of the competitions the team with the most points is awarded. Throughout the weekend there will be many live student performances, parties, BBQs, and I've even heard rumor of a mechanical bull!

Next week, we will be sure to follow up with a re-cap of the weekend! TO BE CONTINUED....

SIX FLAGS!!!

Unrelated to the question of the week

In student forums and on tours I get the question, "What do you do on weekends?" a lot! So, I just wanted to share what I did this weekend.

A group of my friends and I went to SIX FLAGS for $10. Yup, you got that right, $10 for the bus trip and the ticket into Six Flags.

How?!

Student organizations are a beautiful thing :-). One student organization, Programming Board, is in charge of basically keeping the student body happy. Not really, but they do a good job at that also. Programming Board has this huge budget dedicated towards funding concerts like Three 6 Mafia who came last spring, or funding events like taking 96 students to Six Flags, for very low costs to the students (tickets are generally between $5 - $10). And note I said student organization. That means, as a student, even as a freshman, you can be in charge of organizing these events.

So, basically, I am in love with Programming Board, if you couldn't tell, because they make the term just that much fun with all the special events they have each term.

P.S. In case you want to know more of the nitty-gritty details about Programming Board, they have their own website: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~sao/prgboard/