Dickinson College

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Students Say - Academics
Dickinson College is a "quintessential small liberal arts school" in a "small town in central Pennsylvania." The big draw here is an "aggressive" global focus. "Dickinson has completely followed through on all of their promises of a campus that supports international experiences," says a sociology major. Courses "have a strong focus on international issues." Studying abroad "fits seamlessly into the curriculum" and is "a huge deal." "Dickinson has exceptional study-abroad programs everywhere in the world." The administration is sometimes "preoccupied with rising in the ranks and improving superficial perceptions" of the school but Dickinson's president is insanely popular. He "has weekly office hours." "From the president down, the faculty and administrators make themselves available." "Any complaint is heard and listened to, not just brushed off." The academic atmosphere here is "difficult but doable." Classes are small. "Students do not often skip, as professors do take note." The "completely accommodating" faculty receives high marks. "They are good teachers, passionate about their subjects, and it is very easy for students to develop strong out-of-the-classroom relationships with their professors," says an international business major. "I can honestly say I've only had one professor who I didn't consider high quality," adds one junior.

Students Say - Campus Life
The campus is beautiful, observes a senior at Dickinson. "On a nice day, it can take your breath away." It's also "overloaded with clubs and organizations." During the week, "there is a lot to do if you're willing to do it, and a lot of it is college sponsored." There is a "consistently full schedule of lectures." There are plenty of arts-related events. "All the different cultural clubs have a dinner every semester." "Intramural sports are a big deal." "The gym is in constant use." "Greek life is really big at Dickinson" as well. "On the weekends, the majority of people get nice and drunk." Drugs are not uncommon, either. Students who don't party are here too, "trying desperately to make their own fun." There's also "a lot of drama" on campus. "We like to call it Dickinson High," one student admits. The "dull" surrounding town is "not a social mecca." "I love art museums, live music, and cultural diversity," says a senior. "Carlisle does not have any of that." "There is nothing to do in Carlisle unless you are 21 and can get into the bars, where the most exciting thing to do is drink and maybe dance with a nice townie." "If you don't mind small towns, you'll be fine," advises a junior, "but big city people should look elsewhere for their college experience unless they're tired of the rat race."

Students Say - Student Body
The most glaring trait of the student body is that it is mostly white, says one student though others claim that "there are tons of international students," and the "growing" Posse Program brings minority students to campus. Still, as a first-year student relates, "the school is not as diverse as some of us would want it to be." Overall, "there is a lot of homogeneity." Most students here are "socially oriented" and come from somewhere on the East Coast or in the mid-atlantic states. "Many students are very rich and have no problem spending copious amounts of money." "The parking lots are filled with Jeep Grand Cherokees, Saabs, and BMWs." Other students receive "sweet financial aid deals," though. Academically, Dickinsonians "range anywhere from overzealous to apathetic," but the vast majority "can usually balance a full academic load with an active and rich social life." "The typical student at Dickinson is very preppy. The girls are gorgeous, and the guys look like they are straight out of a J. Crew catalog, and everyone is also really athletic." "Finding the oddballs can be difficult." Cliques are common, and "the campus is quite split between Greek life and non-Greek life."

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