Perspectives

Undergraduates, first-year alumni, and graduate students offer thoughts on their Dartmouth experience.

Elise Braunschweig ’08

Euclid, Ohio

At Dartmouth, there’s a deep correlation between what happens in the classroom, and what you are able to do—and encouraged to do—outside the classroom.

I designed my studies to be what I wanted them to be: I majored in geography, with an international development focus, and I minored in public policy, with a focus on global health. I developed my Spanish-speaking abilities during a Language Study Abroad program in Barcelona, and the following winter, I worked at a middle school in a Haitian migrant community in the Dominican Republic. This experience was transforming, and it led me to return to the Dominican Republic (through a Tucker Foundation program) with other Dartmouth students to help build a community health center.

I talk with friends at other colleges, and it’s incredible how much autonomy we have here to develop ideas, and implement them.

Elise Braunschweig ’08 majored in geography and, in addition to her international work, was a member of Tri Delt sorority and was the organization’s chair of philanthropy. She is currently working for Grassroot Soccer, an international HIV prevention program.

William Cronin, DMS ’09, Tuck ’09

Dwight, Illinois

If I had to pick one aspect that I like most about being a student at Dartmouth, I would say the community. The faculty, staff and students are seeking more than just a one-dimensional growth in intelligence: they are seeking a balanced life. I cross paths with my instructors on afternoon jogs, at the Hopkins Center for a show, or downtown during dinner. This unique atmosphere allows professors to become mentors, which enhances the learning to expand beyond the material to gain powerful insights into career paths and life choices.

At the graduate level, an individual's education requires a great deal of self-directed learning no matter what institution you attend. However, because of Dartmouth’s intimate size, I have individual access to elite professors to gain insight and understanding that cannot be extracted from a book.

Another unique aspect of the College is its location. I spend a lot of time in the library or in the hospital, so it is great that in 10 minutes I can be in a kayak on the Connecticut River or running on the Appalachian Trail. This allows me to leave the stress of the books behind and to have a better focus when I go back to studying.

William Cronin was an Albert Schweitzer Fellow and is currently president of the Humanism in Medicine Honor Society. As a Tuck Board Fellow, he serves as an advisor to the Good Neighbor Health Clinic Board, and he is co-coordinator of the Armed Forces Alumni Association. William returns to active duty in the U.S. Navy following his graduation in June 2009.

Elizabeth Dain-Owens ’10

Mercer Island, Washington

What stands out to me the most at Dartmouth is the warmth and energy of the student body. From the first day I stepped on campus, students were eager to get to know me and welcome me into the community.

Students participate in a range of activities, from study abroad programs, Project Preservation trips, volunteering at the Good Neighbor Shelter, Habitat for Humanity, playing an instrument in the jazz band, singing in an a cappella group...the list goes on forever. People here are extremely intelligent, focused and ambitious, but also don't take themselves too seriously and enjoy life.

Undergraduate research is available to anyone, pretty much starting from day one. I worked as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute intern with a biomedical engineering professor my sophomore fall, and have friends who are doing research for professors in multiple departments.

Elizabeth Dain-Owens ’10 is majoring in engineering modified with environmental studies, and she participated in the Foreign Study Program in Fez, Morocco. She led a Dartmouth Outing Club orientation trip for members of the Class of 2012 this September.

Jessica Guthrie ’10

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Dartmouth allows me to be who I am and to express my creativity, passions, and personality. I can actively contribute to my community and see that my actions are making a difference in student life and well-being.

As a student, I have the opportunity to observe, meet, and have discussions with world-renowned performers, writers, actors, scholars, and important political figures. Through the Montgomery Fellows Program, Rockefeller Center, Hopkins Center, the Leslie Center for the Humanities, the Dickey Center and other programs I have numerous chances to enrich my learning through personal interaction with some very talented and accomplished people.

The strong alumni/student connection reinforces the sense of community at Dartmouth. Alumni are interested in students’ majors, activities, and career plans, and they help undergraduates make the most of their opportunities and networks.

Jessica Guthrie ’10 is an Undergraduate Advisor, a Diversity Peer Program facilitator within the Office of Pluralism and Leadership, and a member of the Dartmouth Gospel Choir. She was a First Year Fellow at the Rockefeller Center in 2007, and she is involved with Summer Enrichment at Dartmouth (SEAD) and the Afro-American Society.

Christabell Makokha ’11

Eldoret, Kenya

At Dartmouth I have had amazing opportunities to visit places and participate in a range of activities. This year I am an Undergraduate Advisor for first-years, a marketing intern for the Tucker Foundation, and a volunteer in the surgical program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. In past years I have participated in the Rockefeller Center’s Civic Skills training course in Washington, D.C.

The main focus of the Dartmouth faculty is on undergraduate education, and all the classes are taught by excellent professors. I appreciate the opportunity to develop relationships with faculty, who are very engaging and willing to nurture and invest in students' interests.

The loyalty of Dartmouth alumni is outstanding and is one of the aspects that make Dartmouth unique. Also unique is blitzmail, which holds my Dartmouth world together.

Christabell Makokha ’11 plans to major in engineering sciences with a concentration on biomedical engineering. In addition to the above activities she is a member of Christian Impact, an international mission organization.

Arthur Ng ’11

Shanghai, China

It’s really hard to put into words what the Dartmouth experience has been for me, although I can say that it’s been overwhelmingly positive. I came to Dartmouth thinking that I would be an economics major, but there’s a huge breadth of academic opportunities available, and I’d be doing a disservice to myself if I didn’t explore some of those before declaring my major. I’ve taken a few government classes that I’ve enjoyed immensely, and I’m currently thinking of pursuing a major/minor combination with government and economics. Dartmouth is a place where students can make things happen. I’m a member of the Dartmouth Undergraduate Veterans Association (DUVA), and we’ve had an incredible amount of support from the college in setting up and running the organization. I’m impressed with the accessibility and responsiveness of the faculty and staff.

In addition to being a member of DUVA, Arthur Ng ’11 leads study groups and plays club water polo. Ng served in the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

Aaron Sims ’09

Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico

Dartmouth has created innumerable opportunities for me, and its focus on undergraduate education has made my experience exceptional. The classes are small enough where professors are approachable, and because of its size, and the flexibility of the D-Plan, each student can shape his or her education. I interned this past winter at the New Mexico Legislature for the Speaker of the House. I was able to observe the legislative session from start to finish, while most interns could only attend for a few days or a week.

Aaron Sims ’09 is a double major in government and Native American studies. He serves as co-president of the student group Native Americans at Dartmouth, and he is a member of the Occom Pond Singers.

Sara Sinclair, Ph.D. candidate, computer science

Windsor, Vermont

At Dartmouth I am a member of a community, not just an anonymous face in the crowd. I have the opportunity to interact directly with the chair of our department, the undergraduates who work in our lab, our grant managers and legal support people, and even the deans for both the graduate and faculty deans of arts and sciences. This experience will be invaluable to me in my future career (hopefully as a professor). We also collaborate with colleagues in domains outside of the computer science lab, such as the business school and the sociology department.

At many institutions graduate students' funding is tied to preparing introductory courses; these students are expected to give lectures in addition to taking classes and doing research. While teaching experience is important, I feel that at Dartmouth graduate students are more free to focus on research and developing mentoring relationships with undergraduates in the laboratory environment. Of course, the Dartmouth way of doing things also has a positive impact on the quality of undergraduate education, as well.

Sara Sinclair focuses on computer security as a Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science. She is an assistant sponsor in the Women in Science Project (WISP), and also serves on the Council on Computing, which advises the College's Information Technology organization.

Russell Young ’08

Cleburne, Texas

Dartmouth attracts the brightest minds in the world and the best all-around people that I have been fortunate enough to meet. Much of my education took place outside of the classroom, and the diversity seen at Dartmouth has introduced me to new ideas and ways of thinking for which I am grateful.

It’s a special place. The College is clearly committed to the undergraduate experience, and this sets the school apart from most other academic institutions. And the level of involvement from Dartmouth alumni is impressive. They not only donate financially, but they can be seen at a variety of campus events, from academics to athletics. Their presence tells me a lot.

Russell Young ’08 was an economics major. As a four-year member of Dartmouth’s baseball team, he was co-captain and Ivy League Pitcher of the Year in 2008. Young is currently playing on the single-A level for Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Indians.