Dickinson College

Date: Apr 07 2008
Major: Undecided (This Major's Salary over time)
Although I am transferring next year, I can't give the entire school a negative response. Most of my friends are completely satisfied here, and are happy with both the social life and the academic challenges. The excellence of Dickinson's academic curriculum is not the issue AT ALL; I have been challeneged and provoked into thinking, analyzing, and participating in the classroom. MOST of the professors are passionate about their subjects, patient, and are willing to help their students with any problems they encounter. Also, the entire school is making a conscious effort to "Go Green" and make the campus more eco-friendly. We have our own biodiesel plant; all the disposable silverware and napkins are biodegradable; etc, etc. This is something I always admired about Dickinson, they are truly a superior liberal arts school. If a student is looking to be challenged and to grow, to prepare for grad school and for a job, this is the place to be.

HOWEVER,

I came to Dickinson wanting to be pushed and challenged academically, but also wanting to have fun. I wanted to work hard during the week, get my homework done, and then look forward to the weekends where there would be parties and dancing and more of a fast college life. Dickinson is in Carlisle, a town surrounded by farmlands and meth addicts, so there really isn't much to do. Even for 21-year-olds, there are only about 4 or 5 different bars all on the same street. And for underclassmen, in order to go to parties, students need to be social networkers in order to FIND them; students are incredibly cliquey and reluctant to reach out and make new friends once social groups have been etablished. EVERY ONE knows every one else because it's such a small school AND campus, so there's a lot of drama and dating more than hooking up and having fun. Most parties, unless you are an athlete or Greek, are small social gatherings in dorm rooms or off-campus apartments. Bigger parties usually get broken up by 1230 or 1 and generally only greeks/athletes and their friends are invited.

One thing I will say about Dickinson, though, is that it's without doubt an athlete's school. Although the social life improves if you join a frat/sorority, athletes are guaranteed to find the best parties and social hookups. So this is the college to be if you play a sport and want to be challenged academically.

Maybe I have an idealistic image of what college should be like, and I'm going to experience the same thing wherever I go next year. But I can't stay at Dickinson, it's so much like high school I can't stand it. My primary advice would be, if you liked high school, definitely go here. It's one step better! But I want to meet new people all the time, get more diversity, and go somewhere the social life is more…open, and lively. I want to get lost in the bustle a little more.