On Monday, Dartmouth welcomed more than 600 admitted students from the Class of 2030 and their families to campus for the fourth annual Dimensions program since its return in 2023 following the COVID pandemic. The day, the first of two program runs, featured academic panels, campus traditions and student-led events designed to give admitted students a feel for life in Hanover.
Undergraduate admissions dean Kathryn Bezella wrote in an email statement to The Dartmouth that the College hosted 1,264 guests in total. Two hundred of admitted students who attended have not yet committed to a university, she added.
“The event is primarily meant to help those who are undecided better understand our campus, our community and to get a feeling for whether they could see themselves as Dartmouth students,” Bezella wrote. “But it is also meant to offer enrolled students an opportunity to connect with their future classmates.”
Last year, Dimensions drew 759 admitted students across two weekends in April.
For many visiting students, the sense of connection with classmates was immediate.
Natalie Berman ’30, who traveled from Charlotte, N.C., and committed to Dartmouth through early decision, described the game night on her first night on campus as a highlight.
“Everyone’s really, really welcoming, and it’s really fun to meet people,” she said.
Berman added that the weekend “definitely affirmed” her decision to attend, noting that the campus atmosphere “met or exceeded” her expectations.
That sentiment was echoed by Grace Park ’30, who is a QuestBridge scholar — a recipient of a full-ride scholarship for students from low-income families — from Springfield, Mo. Park said she arrived without many expectations, as it was her first time visiting campus, but quickly found a strong sense of belonging.
“I wasn’t really expecting to find much of a community already, but I feel like I’ve met some amazing people, and it’s been great,” she said. “My host has been super sweet, and it’s a lot better than I had expected.”
Dartmouth’s emphasis on community stood out the most to Park, she said.
“Every time I hear someone talk about Dartmouth, it’s about how great the people here are,” she said.
Other students highlighted the accessibility of opportunities at Dartmouth. Rachelle Kim ’30, another QuestBridge scholar visiting from Georgia, said she was initially nervous to travel alone but was reassured by the College’s support systems.
“I was surprised at how helpful Dartmouth was at communicating the travel aspect,” she said.
Kim said that financial aid resources made on-campus programs, such as study abroad programs, feel attainable.
“I was worried about the financial aspect,” she said. “But they keep emphasizing that if you just talk to the financial aid office, they’ll help you.”
Charlie Yarmus ’30, an admitted student from Maryland, said the social environment of Dartmouth was “different from all other schools I’ve seen.”
“I love how interconnected everyone is,” he said. “Everyone’s just saying ‘hi’ to people walking by… it’s all just super nice.”
Yarmus added that he believes the enthusiasm of students distinguishes Dartmouth from peer institutions.
“Everyone here actually wants to be here, which is way different from all the other schools I visited,” he said.
That enthusiasm extended to Dartmouth traditions and extracurricular activities. Several students pointed to the Dartmouth Outing Club and first-year trips as major draws. Yarmus said he was excited about the DOC’s spring break Sugar Crew, which taps maple trees, and the annual snowball fight.
“I’ve got a shiesty and a whole fit ready,” he said. “I’m ready to tackle some people.”
Thomas Gehring ’30, who is from Jupiter, Fla., said one of the reasons he was drawn to Dartmouth was its unique Greek culture.
“The frats here are much more low-key, relaxed and less toxic than other schools,” he said. “Where I’m from, a lot of the frats and Greek life is really kind of gross or overbearing.”
Gehring said that his only expectation coming in was “to meet a lot of people” over the weekend.
“I’ve met a lot of really great people so far,” he said. “A lot of people who I think I’m going to be friends with for the next four years, probably for the rest of my life.”
Noah Brenner ’30 of Irvington, N.Y., similarly pointed to the campus culture as a deciding factor that led him to commit.
“Every person at Dartmouth treats each other with a level of dignity that I feel is just lost in most places,” he said.
Brenner also praised the academic experience, recalling government professor Sean Westwood’s Dimensions lecture “Why We Should Still Be Optimistic About Democracy in the US,” which he said was “so interesting.”
“That’s a lot coming from me,” he added. “I usually fall asleep during my lectures.”
Groups of students often explored campus together, sometimes forming connections even before arriving. Jackson Hancock ’30, Lucas de Clercq ’30 and Daniel Mashayekhi ’30, admitted students from California, committed through early decision and expressed excitement about the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities on the opposite side of the country.
“We’re right next to the Appalachian Trail here, and I love the outdoors — it’s always been a big part of my life, and that was one of the main reasons I applied early,” de Clercq said.
Hancock agreed that he’s excited for the variety of outside activities.
“I love to rock climb and ski, and this place just seems perfect for that,” he said.
Mashayekhi said he found students to be “grounded” despite academic stress.
“With midterms, a lot of the people I’ve been interacting with have been really focused on studying, but it’s also people who don’t take themselves too seriously and love to have a good time,” Mashayekhi said. “I also love to make a fool [of myself] sometimes, and that’s one thing I really love about the students.”
Behind the scenes, current students played a role in shaping Dimensions experiences. Robert Nieto ’29, who hosted two admitted students, said he wanted to share what he has learned since arriving at Dartmouth and “hopefully convince them to come.”
Nieto emphasized the importance of representation, particularly for Hispanic students.
“I know it was a concern for me when I committed, but the representation on campus has just been amazing, and you can really feel the community here on campus,” he said.
Tobi Soneyin ’29, another host, said his motivation to host a student stemmed from his own experience navigating college access.
“It means a lot to me to give back to the community that built me,” he said, adding that hosting allowed him to “make college accessible for these students by destigmatizing Ivy League schools.”
