Dickinson College (D'son)

Founded just days after the conclusion of the American Revolution by a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Dickinson College was born with the mission of preparing young people to be active and engaged leaders in society via a "global, sustainable, and pragmatic liberal arts education." This Pennsylvania college's serious focus on global engagement and service seeps into every crevice of its "outstanding," interdisciplinary academics, and it has a support system and "infinite amount of resources and facilities" on offer. For instance, there is "a makery for students to use containing craft supplies and a media center" available to all. There are "ample opportunities to keep your mind engaged" (many study abroad at some point), and Dickinson gives students incredible freedom to study under different disciplines. Even students with a focus on one specific major "are able and required to experience classes in other academic areas." Professors at Dickinson are "incredibly accessible and eager to reach out," and "all have very impressive credentials and connections." They "help students see things from various perspectives and not just their own" and encourage students to keep an open mind. Every course is "elaborately prepared by the department" and deans and advisors are helpful when trying to figure out a major. There's no easy ride at Dickinson; faculty "expect a lot from you, [and] outside work can be 1 to 3 hours per class per day." The school encourages students to be educated in all fields of study, and Dickinson students "are always seeking a new answer, discovery, or understanding in every field." A tight 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a wide course selection help make students diverse in background and interests, which can "many times overlap in seemingly opposite majors."

This is an "interesting bunch for sure." "We have people who are ardent defenders of social justice, people concerned with community service, artists, musicians, as well as people who can speak six languages...[or] who came to Dickinson from Carlisle itself." Although the student body "isn't the most diverse" from an ethnic standpoint, everyone here "seems to have an open mind and heart" and is "friendly and involved." "Students' voices are heard" here, and "everyone feels welcome" in this "safe and trustworthy community," which also has a fair number of international students. There is also "a strong activist strain" among Dickinson students, and "most people on campus are very attuned to issues of class, race, sexual orientation, gender, and many other identities."

Although a small school, students here are involved in the many different available extracurricular organizations, and "most take leadership roles in at least one if not several." They "take their schoolwork seriously, but they take their other roles at least equally as seriously." Many people have jobs on campus, and "when the weather is nice, most students are outside." The college's student activities board, MOB, is the largest organizer of events, which range "from foodto musicto entertainment-related," and the Clarke Forum regularly brings in guest speakers who talk on a variety of topics. Dickinson's food "is not great," but it does a good job of making sure there are kosher and vegan options at meals, and the town has great restaurants and shops. The weekend party scene is "very inclusive and energetic," but "it's definitely possible to enjoy oneself without drinking." Carlisle, the small town that surrounds the school, "has enough to do that you will be entertained." The local movie theater is a popular attraction (especially for the $7 matinees on Saturday and Sunday afternoons) and during the spring, students also attend Harrisburg Senators games, the local minor-league affiliate of the Washington Nationals.