Extracurricular Activities at Dartmouth
You could contribute to a literary magazine, work on a political campaign, participate in a musical ensemble, or plan a ski trip in the backcountry. Students at Dartmouth have ample opportunities to get involved in the school’s extraordinarily diverse range of extracurricular activities at Dartmouth in the forms of student clubs and activities, which serve to connect them with the local community as well as their own individual skills and interests. We will learn more about the extracurricular activities at Dartmouth and its students so that they can participate.
What is Dartmouth known for?
What is Dartmouth known for and where is it located? Ivy League universities are some of the nation’s oldest and have the most stringent admissions standards, and Dartmouth College is one of the eight universities that make up this prestigious group.
In point of fact, Dartmouth only grants admission to approximately 6 percent of the applicants each year. Those who are fortunate enough to be accepted into the undergraduate program will become a part of a student body that is just over 4,000 strong.
Dartmouth College is a private institution of higher learning that was established in 1769. The school’s campus spans 237 acres and is located in Hanover, New Hampshire, close to the Connecticut River. In addition to this, the total number of students enrolled in the undergraduate program is 4,170. (fall 2020)
The year-round academic calendar that Dartmouth uses is what sets it apart from other universities. The “D Plan,” the name given to the calendar that Dartmouth uses for its quarter-system, consists of four 10-week terms per year, giving students a great deal of leeway in their academic schedules.
Students will typically enroll in three classes during each term, and in order to graduate, they will need to have completed a total of 35 classes. Students have the option of choosing which academic terms they will spend on campus; the only requirement is that they must successfully complete the necessary number of classes over the course of their four years.
Because of the D Plan’s adaptability, Dartmouth students do not have to compete with the throngs of other college students who are looking for summer jobs. This makes it possible for them to take advantage of fantastic internship opportunities.
Students have the opportunity to travel for longer periods of time and see more of the world thanks to the D Plan. 75 percent of new students at Dartmouth expressed an interest in participating in the study abroad program in 2018, according to a survey that was conducted that year. This finding relates to the topic of traveling.
Five educational institutions call Dartmouth their home:
- Arts & Sciences
- Geisel School of Medicine
- Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies
- Thayer School of Engineering
- Tuck School of Business
Two of Dartmouth’s five schools, Arts & Sciences and the Thayer School of Engineering, are available to students interested in pursuing a degree at the undergraduate level (which was founded in 1867 and is one of the oldest engineering schools in the country).
The fact that Dartmouth’s engineering school offers a dual degree program that enables students to earn both a liberal arts degree and an engineering degree from the same institution is one of the school’s most notable features.
Dual-degree graduates will spend a fifth year at Dartmouth and graduate with both a bachelor’s degree in engineering (BE) from Dartmouth and the bachelor’s degree that they originally earned from their home institution. The following institutions are currently enrolled in the dual-degree program offered by Dartmouth:
- Amherst
- Bard
- Bates
- Bowdoin
- Colby
- Grinnell
- Hamilton
- Hobart & William Smith
- Middlebury
- Morehouse
- Mount Holyoke
- Pomona College
- Simon’s Rock
- Skidmore
- Spelman
- St. Lawrence
- Vassar
- Wesleyan
- Wheaton
- Williams
What’s it like to attend Dartmouth?
What’s it like to attend Dartmouth as a student? It is pretty obvious that the vast majority of students enjoy their time at Dartmouth given that the rate of giving by Dartmouth’s alumni consistently ranks among the highest in the nation. Because the campus of Dartmouth College is nestled in the heart of the New Hampshire forest, its students are able to truly immerse themselves in the Dartmouth community and grow very close to one another.
It’s a good size if there are approximately 4,000 undergraduate students; it’s big enough that there will be plenty of people you don’t know, but it’s not so big that a bus is required to get around campus. During office hours, professors make themselves very accessible to students. Because the class sizes are so low, you are able to participate actively in all of your classes. There isn’t much to do in Hanover because it’s such a small town, but there are plenty of opportunities to have fun on campus, whether you join a club or just hang out with your friends.
Despite the fact that the winters here can be quite harsh, the fall season in Hanover is breathtaking. That is the one thing that absolutely everyone who has attended the school wishes could be different about it.
One of the most interesting aspects is the “Trips” for freshmen, in which approximately ninety percent of incoming freshmen participate in. Kids in groups of about eight to ten are led by upperclassmen on a variety of camping trips, during which they fall in love with the institution almost immediately.
In general, freshman floors are located very close to one another. The level of quality of the housing is quite high, and despite our frequent grumblings about the food, it is, in fact, of an acceptable standard. In addition, the students get together once a term for a massive party weekend that is always a lot of fun. The majority of the students who attend the school prefer the “D Plan,” which is the calendar that the school uses for its quarter system.
Dartmouth Activities
What Dartmouth Activities are available to its students? One of the most common complaints among Dartmouth students is that there is not enough time in the day to participate in all of the available events and activities.
As part of the extracurricular activities at Dartmouth, the Outdoor Programs Office (OPO) is committed to assisting in the development of opportunities for members of the Dartmouth community to investigate and appreciate the breathtaking natural scenery of New England both during their time spent at Dartmouth and after they graduate.
Within OPO, the Dartmouth Outing Club holds the distinction of being the nation’s most established and largest collegiate outing club. Everyone, members and non-members alike are welcome to stay at their cabins, go on trips, rent gear, and take classes; funding and grants are also readily available.
Arts and Culture
The dynamic art scene at Dartmouth is enjoyable for both participants and observers. Theatrical productions, some of which are directed and produced by professionals while others are produced entirely by students, are a highlight of many students’ terms. As part of the extracurricular activities at Dartmouth, there are a number of a capella, dance, and orchestral ensembles that serenade the student population and the local community on a weekly basis.
One Wheelock, a student coffee shop and lounge, hosts a weekly open mic night in addition to two independent music series called Coffeehouse Concerts and Friday Night Rock. The Hop, which is short for the Hopkins Center for the Arts, showcases student instrumental, vocal, and dance ensembles, premier visiting performers, films, and free screenings of the Metropolitan Opera for students. Do you have time for a funny spell? The student body is kept in good spirits through the efforts of two student improv comedy groups as well as regular open-mic stand-up comedy.
One of the extracurricular activities at Dartmouth, The Hop houses workshops in jewelry, ceramics, and woodworking, where students can attend workshops or be personally guided by expert staff in the project of their choice. Dartmouth is also a place for creators:
The Hop houses workshops in jewelry, ceramics, and woodworking. Both the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship and DALI Lab, an experiential team-based working environment that simulates the start-up atmosphere, connect and guide students who are inspired to start their own business.
DALI Lab designs and develops technology tools to assist real-world clients. In addition to this, it hosts a competition called “The Pitch,” which is a termly competition modeled after the television show Shark Tank. In this competition, teams from all over campus compete to win funding so that they can put their idea into action.
Sports and Athletics
Dartmouth College is the ninth oldest university in the United States and a member of the Ivy League. It is also widely regarded as a haven for exceptionally driven student-athletes. Dartmouth University provides students with access to 35 different varsity sports, including 16 for men, 18 for women, and sailing for both men and women.
In addition, there are 35 club sports and 24 intramural sports to choose from at Dartmouth, and approximately 75 percent of the undergraduate students are involved in some sort of athletic activity.
The varsity athletic teams at Dartmouth, also known as “The Big Green,” compete in NCAA Division I and are members of the Ivy League, which consists of eight schools. Over the course of its history, Dartmouth has produced athletes who have excelled at the most challenging levels of competition, winning NCAA championships in a wide variety of sports, including track and field, basketball, cross country, and soccer, as well as skiing, hockey, lacrosse, baseball, and tennis.
The college has invested over one hundred million dollars in facility improvements since the year 2000, including the following: Boss Tennis Center and Gordon Pavilion, Scully-Fahey Field (featuring FieldTurf), Blackman Football Practice Fields, McLane Skiway Lodge, and Corey Ford Rugby Clubhouse; extensive renovations to Leverone Fieldhouse, Hanover Country Club, Berry Center squash courts, and Alumni Gymnasium (featuring a new 14,000-square-foot recreation center); and Blackman Football
Dartmouth Club Sports
Part of the extracurricular activities at Dartmouth, Club sports are student-run organizations that provide a wide range of recreational opportunities, ranging from the teaching of skills to local, regional, and national club intercollegiate competitions. These opportunities can be found on a variety of college campuses.
The majority of our clubs have transitioned to online opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, some clubs may still have limited in-person practice opportunities for students who have been granted permission to be on campus. These may include competitive sports such as:
- Cheer Team
- Cycling
- Dressage
- Figure Skating
- Fencing
- Table Tennis
- Women’s Soccer
- Women’s Volleyball
Intramurals
Students, faculty, and staff at Dartmouth have the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of competitive recreational sports through the Intramural Sports program, which features league play and tournament formats.
Associated sports are as follows:
- (Varsity/Club Sport) – (Intramural related sport)
- Baseball and Softball – softball
- Basketball – basketball, 3-on-3 basketball
- Ice Hockey – ice hockey
- Football – flag football
- Rugby – flag football
- Soccer – soccer, kickball
- Swimming and Diving – swim & dive meet
- Tennis – tennis
- Triathlon – swim & dive meet
- Ultimate – ultimate
- Volleyball – volleyball, wallyball
Dartmouth Clubs
Aside from the typical extracurricular activities, Dartmouth students can participate in a wide variety of clubs that cater to their individual passions. The following is a list of some of the Dartmouth clubs that are available to students.
1. Dartmouth Outdoor Club
If you’re looking to shake things up a bit and experience something new, this club is the place for you. The outdoor club is always planning new excursions for first-year students and students, in general, to participate in. Because the school maintains its very own ski run, there is no way to get lost.
2. Acapella Groups
A large number of a cappella groups can be found at Dartmouth. Each displays its own one-of-a-kind design aesthetic. Engage your inner performer, try something new with your singing ability, and become a member of a cappella group.
3. Greek Life
Participating in Greek life is an excellent way to quickly become acquainted with a large number of new friends. Greek life is an excellent choice for you if you have never been good at branching out and meeting new people. In addition, members of Greek life are required to have a certain number of volunteer hours, which look fantastic on applications.
4. Dance Groups
Dancing is something that the majority of people start doing around the age of three. You can continue pursuing your childhood dream of becoming a professional ballerina by participating in one of the dance groups that are offered at Dartmouth.
5. Ski Team
If you grew up in a place where there was snow, joining a ski team is the perfect fit for you. Participating in activities with other people on a team is a fantastic way to maintain a healthy lifestyle while also making new friends. Try out for the ski team whether you’ve been skiing your whole life or have only done it a few times.
6. Colleges Against Cancer
It’s a terrible disease, cancer. If you or a member of your family has been impacted by cancer in any way, there is a club that you can join to help fight against the disease. Come together with your contemporaries to defeat cancer once and for all.
7. The Upper Valley Humane Society
Please help save the animals! The humane society is always looking for new members. You should consider joining if you have a strong interest in assisting animals or if you are searching for a club where you can engage in animal-related conversations with other people.
8. Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity
Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity is a fantastic opportunity to assist the local community. In this club, you will have the opportunity to experience the thing that has the potential to move people the most anywhere in the world. Providing assistance to those who have not been as successful. Collect some friends, and lend a hand to the community right away!
9. Outing Club
Are you interested in exploring more of the natural wonders that our planet has to offer? You should join the outing club. If you are looking to get out of your dorm or want to go on an adventure off campus, joining this club is a fantastic option for you to consider.
10. Performance Clubs
There is a huge selection of different performance clubs available to students at Dartmouth. There is a club for just about anyone who wants to pursue their passion, whether it be acting, singing, dancing, comedy, or poetry. Put your skills on display for the world!
Dartmouth Traditions
As part of Dartmouth’s ongoing celebration of its heritage, the following are some of the Dartmouth Traditions that have become associated with the university.
Homecoming
Every single student is required to be present at the event known as homecoming. Because it will be the most important football game of the year, there’s no reason you shouldn’t watch it. This event has the potential to get pretty rowdy, so make sure you come prepared.
Green Key
In its most basic form, Green Key is a concert put on for the benefit of the students. There will be a lot of drinking at this event; if that isn’t your scene, then the green key might not be for you. On the other hand, you don’t have to be drunk to have a good time with your friends!
Winter Festival
This is an amazing event that you should attend. There are fun snow sculptures for visitors to take pictures with, as well as human dogsled races and polar bear plunges. Gather your friends together and rejoice in the splendor of winter.
Hockey Games
Playing hockey guarantees a good time. Seeing two or more men get so worked up that they resort to physical violence against one another is always entertaining to watch. You’ll also be showing some school spirit while showing your support for the school.
The Hop
At the party, in addition to the other performances, there are movies that are shown! This presents a wonderful opportunity to do something low-key with friends and simply hang out together. You will never get the same experience twice because the entertainment varies from night to night.
Why Are Extracurriculars Important?
Why are extracurriculars important to Dartmouth students? At Dartmouth, the objective of the extracurricular activities is to provide a wide range of activities that are suitable for participants of all skill levels and to do so in an atmosphere that is friendly, upbeat, entertaining, balanced, and risk-free.
These programs will offer a wide variety of structured learning opportunities to students, with the goal of enhancing their knowledge and abilities as much as possible. Participation will lead to the development of long-lasting friendships and connections, the opportunity to meet students from a variety of different backgrounds, the acquisition of transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, organization, problem-solving, and time management, as well as an improvement in students’ confidence, and the improvement of students’ academic performance.
If you need help putting the finishing touches on your early applications, or want some advice on whether or not applying Early Decision or an Early Action is a good option for you, at AdmissionSight, we have over 10 years of experience guiding students through the competitive admissions process, including our athletic recruitment program.
AdmissionSight can help you put your best foot forward when applying to college this fall. Contact us today for more information on our services.
