I just accepted my offer for Dartmouth to enroll in the fall! If anyone has any information about the campus/student life, and wealth on campus please let me know.

I have a son who is very happy at Dartmouth.

From my perspective the place remains great because of the students and the faculty. IMHO it hits the sweet spot for size - big enough to attract faculty interested in and capable of useful research, but small enough such that it can still emphasize undergraduate education. the opportunities for faculty student interaction are real.

The negatives include a mediocre at best administration that's primarily focused on the care, feeding and expansion of the administration. The physical plant - especially the dorms - are worn and/or overtaxed. Sooner or later a big bill is going to come due.

Greek life is definitely a thing. Boy is an enthusiastic participant, but tells me that compared to my alma mater (UVa) the scene is much mellower and more inclusive. He says he'd have big doubts about rushing at UVa. Dartmouth has a reputation for partying, but my sense is that it's pretty exaggerated - the hard alcohol ban has had an affect.

Son wasn't sure about spending four years in the Upper Valley, but has come to love the setting. Gets involved in outdoor stuff, and sophomore summer was special. One benefit of going to school in the sticks is that it tends to level class differences. Plenty of people with money there, but not so many ways to spend it.

Consider the distinction between athletic recruits - a significant portion of the student body and "Non-Athletic Regular People" (NARPS). The existence of such a term is meaningful . . . and disappointing. However, the existence of a very strong alumni network is also meaningful.

Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Wow lots of typical DC types that don't know what they're talking about. Alum here. Dartmouth is one of the smallest ivies and has as very powerful alumni network. The old time alums give favoritism to Dartmouth grads and they are some of the most successful ivy leaguers out there. OH if you count "success" as in running Wall Street investment firms, consulting, VC, marketing, etc as opposed to Harvard/Brown save the whales nonsense.

Want to make some $? go to Dartmouth

want to be a DC shmuck? go to one of the schools they praise

Dartmouth is indeed famed for having a great network, but how much is that network primarily for already wealthy kids vs. a regular middle-class kid?
Regardless, anyone in Harvard/Brown gets the same opportunities - and more opportunities in the case of Harvard- with investment firms/conulting/VC/Marketing.

This is so not true. An ill-at-ease Harvard kid who hasn't really networked will not have the opportunities leaving college that a Dartmouth kid who has brains, social skills and a network will have. Substitute Yale and Princeton for Harvard, and Williams and Amherst for Dartmouth, and the outcome would be the same.

Anonymous wrote:

Wow lots of typical DC types that don't know what they're talking about. Alum here. Dartmouth is one of the smallest ivies and has as very powerful alumni network. The old time alums give favoritism to Dartmouth grads and they are some of the most successful ivy leaguers out there. OH if you count "success" as in running Wall Street investment firms, consulting, VC, marketing, etc as opposed to Harvard/Brown save the whales nonsense.

Want to make some $? go to Dartmouth

want to be a DC shmuck? go to one of the schools they praise

This is exactly why a brilliant student does not go to Dartmouth knowing it's this kind of people roaming over the campus.

Anonymous wrote:

Wow lots of typical DC types that don't know what they're talking about. Alum here. Dartmouth is one of the smallest ivies and has as very powerful alumni network. The old time alums give favoritism to Dartmouth grads and they are some of the most successful ivy leaguers out there. OH if you count "success" as in running Wall Street investment firms, consulting, VC, marketing, etc as opposed to Harvard/Brown save the whales nonsense.

Want to make some $? go to Dartmouth

want to be a DC shmuck? go to one of the schools they praise

more proof dartmouth is full of jerks!

Anonymous wrote:

Wow lots of typical DC types that don't know what they're talking about. Alum here. Dartmouth is one of the smallest ivies and has as very powerful alumni network. The old time alums give favoritism to Dartmouth grads and they are some of the most successful ivy leaguers out there. OH if you count "success" as in running Wall Street investment firms, consulting, VC, marketing, etc as opposed to Harvard/Brown save the whales nonsense.

Want to make some $? go to Dartmouth

want to be a DC shmuck? go to one of the schools they praise

Dartmouth is indeed famed for having a great network, but how much is that network primarily for already wealthy kids vs. a regular middle-class kid?
Regardless, anyone in Harvard/Brown gets the same opportunities - and more opportunities in the case of Harvard- with investment firms/conulting/VC/Marketing.

Anonymous wrote:

Wow lots of typical DC types that don't know what they're talking about. Alum here. Dartmouth is one of the smallest ivies and has as very powerful alumni network. The old time alums give favoritism to Dartmouth grads and they are some of the most successful ivy leaguers out there. OH if you count "success" as in running Wall Street investment firms, consulting, VC, marketing, etc as opposed to Harvard/Brown save the whales nonsense.

Want to make some $? go to Dartmouth

want to be a DC shmuck? go to one of the schools they praise

Sad to think you can go to an Ivy and still emerge with a big chip on your shoulder.

Wow lots of typical DC types that don't know what they're talking about. Alum here. Dartmouth is one of the smallest ivies and has as very powerful alumni network. The old time alums give favoritism to Dartmouth grads and they are some of the most successful ivy leaguers out there. OH if you count "success" as in running Wall Street investment firms, consulting, VC, marketing, etc as opposed to Harvard/Brown save the whales nonsense.

Want to make some $? go to Dartmouth

want to be a DC shmuck? go to one of the schools they praise

Got rid of the Pervy professor?

In my social circle, I see several Dartmouth undergrad alumni who are married to each other. Haven’t noticed it as much with other colleges and universities. Not sure why. It could be pure coincidence or not.

The school has a really limited social scene, which was part of the reason why a family friend transferred out after her freshman year to another Ivy. Wouldn't recommend at all. Seems like it attracts the jerk types (re: 17:10)

Something like 70% of Dartmouth students are in fraternities/sororities. So the reality of the school is that its very Greek-heavy.

Anonymous wrote:Hi Everyone - I am the boy who just got accepted to Dartmouth! I appreciate all of your advice and help; if anyone can tell me more about the school culture, and greek life that would be appreciated!

There are plenty of current and past students who can tell you about the campus culture on other sites. I'm sure there is more to the frat, drinking, sexual assault culture than what is reported but Dartmouth sure does seem to get more than its share of attention for these issues. I have a family member who graduated from Darmouth within the last several years - he's a jerk (by his own admission - yes, some jerks are self-aware), a jock and a drinker. He loved it there.

As to the university administration, there might be some insights in this recent story. https://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2019/08/sexual-misconduct-lawsuit-against-dartmouth-a-timeline-of-events

Lastly, one trip through town and you can't help but notice the incredible number of therapists, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists who have set up practices in/near Hanover. Made me think that there must be a reason for that in such a small town.

Good luck with your decision and congratulations of some really great offers of admission. I hope you'll do well and be happy wherever you land.

Go on Reddit and don’t ask questions of boomers

Hi Everyone - I am the boy who just got accepted to Dartmouth! I appreciate all of your advice and help; if anyone can tell me more about the school culture, and greek life that would be appreciated!