Skip to main content

You may be using a Web browser that does not support standards for accessibility and user interaction. Find out why you should upgrade your browser for a better experience of this and other standards-based sites...

Dartmouth Home  Search  Index

Dartmouth HomeSearchIndex

Dartmouth home page
First Year Office
Home >  Students > 

Connecting with Faculty


On her first-year trip, Vicki Allen '06 met Geology Professor Dick Birnie and discovered a common interest in earth science. Since that first encounter, she has been working as his research assistant.


Over four years at the College, you will have many opportunities to create relationships with your professors. Establishing that contact will not only make you feel more connected to Dartmouth, but also will increase your satisfaction with your experience here. In addition, you will have practical needs that only a professor who knows you can meet:

  • academic advice about courses and majors,
  • recommendations for off-campus programs and internships,
  • career guidance and references for employment and graduate school,
  • on occasion, individual counseling about personal matters.

A recent study of liberal arts undergraduates confirmed that students who develop a close relationship with a faculty member had the highest levels of satisfaction among their peers.


How do you establish connections with faculty members? You may not feel comfortable at first taking the initiative with faculty members, or you may not be aware of the many formal and informal avenues available at Dartmouth to develop contacts with professors. To tap into the rich rewards that the College's fine faculty offers, you can use this site to take some of the mystery out of the process. You will find tips about strategies for developing personal ties with your professors, along with descriptions about various opportunities that exist on campus for getting to know the faculty.

Last Updated: 5/17/04