<p>We used the laundry service just once-after my son had knee surgery and getting up and down stairs was dangerous-and impossible with laundry-it was very convenient and good-but I also think students should take responsibility for their laundry-even though I know my sons don’t necessarily fold or put their laundry away the way I would!</p>
<p>We never saw the dorms, so I wasn’t sure if they have washer/dryers. do you know how much each load costs?</p>
<p>laundry costs $2.50 total to wash and dry. You just swipe your ID and it is charged to your account. Yes, the dorms have machines.</p>
<p>This is my first post on this forum and I have not read all of the posts on this thread (upon brief perusal I recognize many respected familiar names, however!) . I have a hunch that Dartmouth might be a good fit for my son, although I have never visited the campus. Being from the West Coast, I do know that Dartmouth is “weathery” and remote. What would be the best time to bring him for a visit?</p>
<p>Is the idea to show Dartmouth when the weather is coldest, i.e. February, or when the campus is most green and beautiful, such as in September or in May?</p>
<p>I guess that is what I need to know: Does the campus look miserable at certain times of the year? (I don’t want to bring him then, lol) In which months does the campus look its best? I’d like to bring him while school is in session. Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>^^It looks best when all green in September or maybe a little later if you want to catch colorful autumn foliage.</p>
<p>For a quick look at the campus now search on “Dartmouth by Air” on Youtube and play that video with your speakers on.</p>
<p>^Beautiful video, thank you!</p>
<p>IMO, campus looks best in spring, but ya gotta hit those 70 degree days. The Green becomes a virtual classroom as Profs move classes outside into the air, frisbee games are everywhere, not to mention sunbathers of all persuasions out soaking up the sun. College life could not get any more bucolic.</p>
<p>But don’t forget, with the D-Plan, summer is in full swing, or at least ~30% full. In addition to Sophs on campus, some upper classman also hang around for research, jobs, pickup an extra class for a double major, etc.</p>
<p>I’ve now been there several times during all seasons, and IMHO it always looks beautiful. I suppose the least attractive times might be the occasional dreary transitional periods in November or March when there is neither foliage nor snow. (It is perfectly possible to have snow in either of those months, of course. The campus looks gorgeous in the snow.)</p>
<p>There are many astonishingly beautiful huge old elm trees on campus. They are particularly spectacular when leafed out.</p>
<p>Took my son for his first visit to D in February after a huge snow storm. The air was crisp and there was two feet of new snow everywhere. My son fell in love with the campus and the friendliness of the students. He was sold and went early decision. We went back prior to him applying in September when the weather was perfect. I remember my wife crying after she saw the campus as she got emotional on how perfect the place was and worried what happens if he does not get accepted. He was accepted and is now sweating out the hottest Summer in a long time for Sophomore Summer as he lives on the third floor of a fraternity house. I like seeing the campus in the winter as you can see the beauty of the buildings without the leaves on the trees. The snow is a beautiful backdrop to an amazing campus. The ugliest the campus gets is early spring when the snow melts into mud.</p>
<p>I am wondering if any current parents could address the rumors I am hearing that if one is not a part of greek life that this is little social life at Darmouth. I know that all schools have their fair share of parties and that it is unrealistic to think that college students won’t engage in such activites, but I guess there is a spectrum and I am wondering where you think Dartmouth falls on that spectrum. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>^^There is no doubt that Greek life is big at Dartmouth - bigger than I would like it to be. But non-Greek kids seem to do just fine. My daughter is not in a sorority and has plenty of friends and lots of social activities.</p>
<p>Thanks for responding. It is good to hear that one can fit in socailly without being a part of a fraternity,if one chooses to. Can you talk a little bit more about the activities that your daughter enjoys at Dartmouth? Has she been happy there overall?</p>
<p>My s and many of his friends didn’t join a fraternity and they don’t regret it. I would say the Dartmouth plan may be more of a problem for social life as friends may not see each other from Sophomore summer to senior year-I do think dorm life is lacking. the dorms are wonderful in term of size and attractiveness, but there are no intramurals or dorm parties-I think this is a real flaw. On the other hand, the dorms are pristine, quiet and calm and they don’t reek of alcohol. I think Dartmouth could/should do more to enhance social activities and make the fraternities less relevant. Just my opinion from a parent who has children at other colleges and thinks social life is important.</p>
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<p>There are intramural sports, just not stratified by dorm. I think pitting dorms against one another in intramurals is silly and adds little to a school’s overall social atmosphere.</p>
<p>And there are dorm parties, particularly in freshman dorms (e.g., Choates). The primary purpose of a dorm party is as a mixer for people to meet one another, so such parties are pointless in upperclassmen dorms since those students have already formed their group of friends.</p>
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<p>Yes, very happy overall. She derives friends and activities from four different groups: her dorm, the Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra, the Outdoor Club, and her church.</p>
<p>so Dartmouth Forever-what are the intramurals?I know students can sign up to play tennis or squash. How are these structured? I still think the dorms could have more personality, cook outs etc. Are you in a frat?</p>
<p>Disclaimer: I’m a '14, but I have a few really good friends at Dartmouth. Some of this post is from personal experience; other parts are from my friends and reading.</p>
<p>According to a Dartmouth brochure, there are 27 intramural sports at Dartmouth, ranging from soccer to, as you mentioned, squash. The teams are structured loosely, just like at every other college, and they are not intercollegiate. Attending practices is not mandatory. The team is not serious; it’s just for fun.</p>
<p>Maybe it was just the weekend I visited, but the dorms had lots of personality. I know Fahey had a cookout, and the frats were hosting all kinds of events. Amnesty International was cooking out in front of Collis, too.</p>
<p>There’s tons of stuff going on, and it’s not all dorm-centric. I think that creates a wider social network. If someone wants to be wrapped up in dorm life alone, perhaps s/he should live in East Wheelock, a cluster that seems to always be hosting something.</p>
<p>Since I’m a '14, I’m not in a frat. I don’t drink, so I’m not sure if I’ll rush. When I visited, I barely spent any time in the frats – I just went to a sober dance party in tri-kap – and had an amazing time. It’s the people, not the organizations in which you find them, that make the Dartmouth experience so incredible for my friends – and hopefully for me too.</p>
<p>As a Dartmouth '10, let me add that being part of Dartmouth’s Greek life is almost inevitable, one way or another, whether you are a member of a house or not it is an important part of the overall experience. I was in a sorority. Still, there is much more to Dartmouth than what happens through the Greek system.</p>
<p>Best time of your life!</p>