The quality of undergrad education at Dartmouth, with the exception of a handful, is unparalleled by other research universities. I have never had any classes taught by TAs and the largest class I've had was around 150 people. Many departments, such as economics, cap the class sizes at 35 or so, so that you always have access to professors during office hours. Econ and gov't are the most popular majors, but you can easily double major (my majors are economics and neuroscience), or you can modify your major, or minor. Classes are tough, but you learn a lot both from the professors and other students. Some students are competitive, particularly in certain majors, but definitely to a lesser degree compared to other top schools Distributive requirements make sure that you take plenty of classes outside of your major

Greek Life

There is a place for everyone at Dartmouth, and that includes both some of the greatest people I've ever known and a lot of corporate tools who are more interested in their resumes than anything that goes on in class. There are a number of incredible professors here, who are really dedicated to teaching, above all else, and sharing their passions with their students, but there are also a few lackluster ones. The fraternity scene tends to dominate social life if you let it (and a lot of people do). There's a lot of amazing stuff going on at Dartmouth, including some incredibly helpful resources, but to find them, you will have to seek them out. I have undergone immense personal growth and fulfillment while here, and I can't imagine having gone to any other school, but what I will remember about this school are the wonderful individual relationships I formed- I have no love for the institution. Many people love everything about the school when they first arrive, but find themselves growing dissatisfied with aspects of Dartmouth as they find out more. The problem with this is that a lot of people on campus are pretending to be happier and more self-reliant than they really are. People are scared to ask for help, because they're so used to doing well on their own, and people are afraid to be unhappy, because Dartmouth is supposed to be this wonderful community where everyone is supposed to be getting what they want out of the experience. And I have found wonderful communities within Dartmouth, but the important thing to know is that if you are unhappy, or struggling, or both, you are not alone, and you do have a niche here, but you do need to make the effort.

Dartmouth students love sex. Although there are people that date, the hookup scene is very predominant, mostly because of the "work-hard/play-hard" environment. This makes being a Sexpert soooo much more fun.

One of the most unique things about Dartmouth is at the same time the best thing about the college and probably the worst. With the "D plan", there are four 10-week long terms a year, and you must be on campus fall, winter, and spring of your freshman and senior years, and the summer after your sophmore year. The rest of the terms you can either take classes on campus, study abroad, do internships, stay on campus but not take classes and work, or do nothing... as long as you complete 12 terms of classes (and of course all your requirements). This is great in that you can get internships in the spring or fall when other students are in school, not be in Hanover in the freezing cold weather in the winters of your sophmore and junior years, and have many opportunities to study abroad. The ten week terms are nice too, since even though they're fast paced courses and finals are upon you almost as soon as midterms end, you get to change courses quickly and even where you live as people are coming on and going off each term. This also gives the chance to make friends with more people than might otherwise happen, since if most of your friends are off campus one term, you're forced to make new ones. The downside to all this is that your schedule isn't the same as your friends who go to other schools. They go back to college in mid August while you're stuck at home until end of September, and then they're out in early May while you're still at school until June. Also, when you find yourself in a great living situation, great classes, and great social situation one term, it will end shortly and new people, new classes, and new situations will be upon you soon. I would say you have to like almost constant change; I think it's exciting. Lastly, the very best thing about the D plan and probably Dartmouth in general is sophmore summer. This is the term after your sophmore year where your entire class has to be on campus taking classes. You think, summer school - ick! Oh no, this is AWESOME. It's all of your friends together (since most of them have been off various terms sophmore year), with no annoying upper or lower classmen, and takes on a vibe almost like summer camp. Classes and professors are more relaxed (many students take only 2 classes), much of your day can be spent lying on the green "reading" or hanging out at the dock by the river, and there is even more partying, hanging out with friends, and friendly spirit than usual. New Hampshire is gorgeous in the summer too, with swimming, camping, kayaking, sailing, berry picking, rock climbing and much more all available. Some of my best friendships were made or solidified sophmore summer, and it was definitely my favorite term at Dartmouth.

Dartmouth is amazing. We've got a real sense of community here, and our intense pride and love for the institution shines through in everything we do (and in all the money the alums donate!). The quality of life is excellent. The sense of tradition and loyalty we have here makes you feel like you're part of something big, something special. It's definitely the best college experience one could ask for.

Dartmouth is an amazing place and I am lucky to be a part of such an amazing community.

Not everyone drinks and I don't feel pressured into drinking. I think it's good to know what people think about Christians because Christians aren't perfect and it's just another thing for Christians to work on. I personally love my extracurricular activities, which takes up large amounts of time. So between that, classwork, and friends, I don't think there's nothing to do.

The Dartmouth Outdoor Club is the largest club on campus and organizes trips for incoming freshmen and also has trips throughout the year. We have our own skiway and golf course. We have some of best faciliites in terms of atheletics. As for clubs and organizations there are over 200 of them so everyone can find what they need or make their own. Social life is good as it is a small campus and you get to meet a lot of people. Floormates often turn out to be some of your best friends as most floors have a really open atmosphere.

The education is thorough and focused, I've had wonderful, incredibly passionate professors and professors who I felt were mediocre. That's just a fact of life.

The academics are as good as you'd expect. The professors are usually good, and they make an effort to know your name. The classes are generally pretty small except in intro sciences, and there are very few lecture halls on campus, so be prepared to participate and be challenged.

Students are NOT competitive at all. It's a great learning atmosphere. Most profs go out of their way to learn names, even in big classes. And if you go to their office hours, they will make an attempt to get to know you as a person, which is really cool. I had a psych prof who begged us to take advantage of a take-a-prof-to-lunch program so he could get to know us better. The profs want you to succeed. They will make every effort to help you if you ask for it. They're not going to baby you, but they really do care and want to help. The psych department (which runs the neuro major) is pretty good. Profs are usually pretty funny and engaging. The chem dept (my minor) is FANTASTIC. The profs are hilarious and so smart and so quirky and wonderful. People here study a lot, especially for major classes. Everyone takes the occasional goof-off class that doesn't require much work just for a break or to fulfill a distributive requirement, but overall people spend a lot of time in the library. Which isn't a bad thing, necessarily.

Dartmouth is such a dense school that it's really hard to just sum it up. Safety: I can't think of another school where I'd feel comfortable leaving my computer unattended in the library for several hours. Things rarely get stolen (unless you bring a Northface jacket to a frat and someone mistakes it for their own) and there is no serious crime that goes on (our newspaper publishes descriptions of the "crimes" that go on in Hanover, which are humorous due to their tame nature. Students: A good mix and a good social group for everyone. Lots of school pride both on campus and off. Also, the townfolk have a lot of pride for us too! Atmosphere: The campus is beautiful, especially when it's warm out (and by warm I mean 45+ degrees and sunny...trust me, you'll get used to 50 degrees being hot). The town is quaint. Very clean and super nice people. Pretty pricy and not diverse at all. Food: The food is much better than your average college food (which isn't saying much). There are places to eat in town, but no fast food restaurants for quite a distance. Dorms

When my father helped me move in this September after DOC trips, he best articulated Dartmouth's sense of community, “I can see where Dr. Seuss got his inspiration. Walking around campus and seeing all of your class together on the Green is like being amongst the Who’s in Whoville,” which in my opinion, is so true. We’re an odd bunch, Dartmouth students, but our unique community is extremely close-knit. The second aspect of Dartmouth is hard to put into words. It is the view of Dartmouth as a “world of its own.” The only way I can describe it is that when I arrive in Hanover on the Dartmouth Coach I feel alive and in true form; and as soon as I board the bus to leave for break, I immediately feel homesick and long to return. I literally feel as though everything about me changes when I’m here. While at Dartmouth, I feel invincible in a way. Nothing is out of my reach, and everyone is open-minded. I feel separated from the harsh realities of being an adult, but at the same time feel free to reap the benefits of living on my own. In high school, I was always told my goals were too lofty and that I needed to put things in perspective; and because of this, I was not able to truly enjoy the time I spent there. But at Dartmouth, the “perspective” is always ambitious. In fact, dreaming big and thinking out of the box are expected. On top of that, I’m encouraged to live these next four years of intellectual and social exploration to the fullest. Dartmouth has become my safe haven; a separate place where I’m free to aspire and take pleasure in what education has to offer. I know this isn’t a concrete idea, more ideological than anything, but is truly what I feel is the most defining aspect of Dartmouth College.

Although Greek life is huge at Dartmouth and many students do drink and party, many students also choose not to drink or drink in moderation. The party scene here is what you make of it.

The frat scene is definitely huge at Dartmouth. I had friends who refused to participate in the Greek system and they managed to find plenty of things to do. You are in the middle of nowhere, yet there are picasso's in the museum and world renowned performers at the hop. Not to mention our ski mountain, the appalachian trail, and the connecticuit river in your backyard. Definitely not the right school for a city person, though.