d_rolla08

Are D's professors really formal?

I wrote an email to a professor and he corrected me for not using the salutation "Dear Mr. So and So"... I'm pretty sure he was angry.

I'm a really laid back kind of guy, and I did pick up on a similar attitude from the students at Dartmouth, but I guess I overlooked the professors? When I sat in on a class, the professor came in wearing jeans, so I didn't think the professors were too formal, but then I go that odd email from a professor.

What do you guys think? Is this the general attitude at Dartmouth? I was kind of turned off. =(

Dartmoose

Every professor will be different.

I personally have not met any uptight professors, but no matter how 'chill' they may be, you should always be proper when writing an e-mail. It's better to be more formal than necessary rather than less.

Regardless, I feel that Dartmouth professors are extremely less uptight than those of other schools. When I was touring colleges, I made sure to sit in at least one class per school. I made sure to ask for permission before the class, and most of the professors I met couldn't give a sh** about me. This was not so with the Dartmouth Faculty.

Quite often, in fact, Dartmouth professors will go out to lunch with students. One current student I know said that one prof invited the whole class for dinner at her house at the end of a term. She even served mixed alcoholic drinks when nearly the entire class was underage.

I wouldn't worry about finding all of your professors impersonal, but there will always be a few.

wisconsinguy

I agree completely with Dartmoose. You'll find some nice professors anywhere you go, but in my experience, almost all of Dartmouth's professors go 'above and beyond' the call of duty.

I had dinner at the homes of at least five faculty members, and would often stop in to talk to profs I had last had in class two or more years before. Several professors brought cookies or other snacks to our classes or exams (one even had his two little kids walking the aisles with baskets, handing them out). When it came time to apply to grad school, I spent several hours with one of my profs working out a personal statement and discussing where to apply. I was always impressed with Dartmouth professors as people as well as educators.

cameliasinensis

For future reference.

My professors, for the most part, have been fantastically knowledgeable, approachable, and not the least bit uptight -- and yes, I have also been to a professor's house for dinner.

slipper1234

Yeah they are very open and friendly. I always referred to professors as "Professor X" when speaking/ writing to them unless they specifically tell me to call them by their first name.