Dartmouth!

On a side note, I would first like to apologize on behalf of the brevity and the limited nature of this particular blog as my computer is undergoing repair. The diagnosis was more severe than we have hoped so I hope the quality of the blogs will get much better after my laptop woes. A Kindle with a small, virtual keypad will have to suffice for now.

Dartmouth is a true gem bustling with lively activity in the middle of tranquil, rural New Hampshire. Originally founded by Eleazar Wheelah, a Congregational minister, in 1769, this institution primarily was for the education of the Youth of Indian tribes in order to be able to teach Christian ministry and pedagogy. However, within 200 years after the founding of Dartmouth, only 19 Native Americans graduated from the Ivy League institution; as a result, the school established social and academic programmes to increase enrollment of Native Americans. Now, an estimated one-third of undergraduate students reported being a minority in the 2013-2014 school year. The teeming diversity at Dartmouth makes it such a dynamic and innovative place to study-furthering my anticipation to visit the campus this summer.

Dartmouth faculty actually hasn't had anyone within their faculty to receive the Nobel Prize but there have definitely been alumni which have contributed to Nobel Prize-winning projects. Such recipients include, Owen Chamberlain (Class of 1941) who shared the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1959 for work on the anti-proton, George Snell (Class of 1926) who was the co-winner of the 1980 Nobel Prize in Medicine for genetic discoveries of the stress of organ transplants at Jackson Labratories, and K. Barry Sherpless (Class of 1964) who was one out of the three winners of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize in Chemistry who contributed to work  on the stereo relative oxidation reduction  reactions at Berkeley (Go Bears!). There has been one Montgomery Fellow  nominee to the Nobel Peace Prize on 1990 who was the professor of sociology emertia. There have been Pullitzer Prizes awarded to Marth J. Sherwin, David K. Shipler, Nisel Jaquiss, Thomas M. Burton, Richard Eherhard, Robest Frost, Paul Gigst, Jake Houler, and Joseph Rago for their work within literature and journalism.

The amount of programs within departments which focus brilliantly on profound and active research as well as a strong liberal arts tradition make me see myself in a multitude of departments which include the Thayer School of Engineering, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Chemistry, Department of Earth Science, and in the general school of the arts and humanities (specifically in Asian/ Middle Eastern Languages and Liternatures, music, philosophy, German studeies, international relations, political science, economics, sociology, and many more subjects). I definitely see myself getting a double major with even a minor as well as I seem to have a very open-minded, interdisciplinary approach to learning where I somehow see connections that many of my other peers deem as bizarre but unique and compelling. Dartmouth seems to foster an environment to fully enrich and perpetuate culture of exploration, activism, and curiosity. The three most popular majors on campus are political science, economics, and history which speaks for the amount of social and political issues which are spoken about on campus. This has been especially promising for the amount of stimulating discussions that I always wanted to be a part of as I feel that it is hard for me to spur advanced political discussions on a profoundly deep level with others at school and in my community (not including joining interest groups or committees).

The calendar system of Dartmouth of quarters seems to get students to actively participate in their learning as well as to take classes with better emphases. The Dartmouth plan (or the D-plan) requires students to be at Dartmouth for summer quarter during their sophomore year as well as freshman and seniors taking fall, winter, and spring quarters. I have always been intrigued by different places around the world and the established  and notable study abroad program has been  strong consideration for me to attend and to fulfill a variety of options of what can be done abroad (where many students usually get credit) I also found it very interesting that peer reviews are required for admission into Dartmouth, showing that the AO take your personality and your relationships with others into great consideration as well as the immense amount of clubs and extracurricular activities available with an intimate student body. Although I am rather indifferent on Greek life, I do unfortunately see a prevalent problem of student drinking and sexual assault leading to the decline of applications being submitted for the class of 2018 but after talking to a friend at the school, I feel that spurring social change and awareness will push the administration to be more fervent about it. Dartmouth is also notable for its school spirit with events like the bonfire on the Big Green for Homecoming to the Winter Carnival tradition. Physical education is actually compulsory for Dartmouth students as well but with snowboarding and skiing available, it doesn't seem like the quintessential PE experience one would normally experience. Also, the school maintains 75 miles of the original Appalachian train as well as maintaining an official stop on campus.

The high rate of participation in sports (75% of students, roughly) shows how students are not discouraged by a looming iron curtain between intramural and varsity sports and this laissez-faire atmosphere encourages me to fully pursue what I am passionate about without worrying about limitations or budge constraints (thanks to a $3 billion endowment). The political science department has produced notable academia personnel like Brooks, Lebon, and Wohlforth as well as offering as special bachelor of engineering due to the ABET- accredited status of the engineering school. There are many special majors or dual majors allowed within 39 academic departments with 56 majors. The Hood Museum is the oldest museum in North America still in operation shows that vast volumes of documents are cherished and utilized. The strong traditions like the Senior Class Gift, the outstanding balance of research and liberal arts as well as high involvement in campus life with a significant amount of opportunities in a agragian setting puts this school as a high priority to fully appreciate and to consider for the next chapter in my life. Can't wait to visit, I am considering even more after writing this (and I thought I was truly in love before)