Students from Western States

Alaska

Ariel Graham '11 (grahama@dickinson.edu)
Hometown: Anchorage, Ala.
Major: Theatre & Dance
Activities: Dance Theatre Group, Serve the World, Liberty Cap Society, Tritons, Outing Club
Best Dickinson experience: Visiting campus.
Advice: Talking to current students was one of the most helpful tools I used. It was great to know people cared.

Arizona

Patsy McNeil '11 (mcneilp@dickinson.edu)
Hometown: Phoenix, Ariz.
Major: History
Activities: Tritons, Ski Club, Pi Beta Phi, Big/Little
Best Dickinson experience: The people are amazing. The professors are great. I have already met people I know will be in my life for years to come.
Advice: Have fun and go with your gut.

California

Margot Cardamone '14 (cardmom@dickinson.edu)
Hometown: Mill Valley, Calif.
Major: interested in history, political science
Activities: Dance, Mock Trial, big brother big sister
Best Dickinson experience: I love how friendly everyone is and available to help you at all times. My first day here, the day before move-in I went to go see my dorm just to see if I could possibly get in and check it out and my RA was outside. He let me see his room so I could get an idea of size, he gave me advice about things I should have in my room and for school, and he told me that no matter what the questions was I was more than welcome to go to his room and ask. My Orientation Assistant was also so helpful. She still talks to me and gives me adive about things going on around campus. The professors especially make themselves so available for us to ask questions and just talk about what is going through our heads an any given time which helped me stay calm.
Advice : When looking at schools don't discount any one school because of preconceived notions. I thought I wanted to go to a huge city school and I could not be happier here, so when looking at colleges keep an open mind and don't just go for the brand names or the schools your friends are applying to. Try and find a place that is right for you because of what you really like and really want out of your education not what you think you want.

Evan Dubchansky '14 (dubchane@dickinson.edu)
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Major: interested in philosophy, Spanish and environmental studies
Activities: Ultimate Frisbee, Hillel, Tritons, Habitat for Humanity, Community Forum
Best Dickinson experience: Dickinson students are the most welcoming and friendly group of people I have ever met. During Orientation, a few friends and I went outside and started playing Frisbee. A few minutes later, other students joined us and we started a big game of Ultimate Frisbee. Whether playing Ultimate Frisbee, debating a current social issue or any activity in between, students share their passsions with one another and make great friends doing so.
Advice: When doing research and choosing where to enroll, contact the Admissions Office and current students. They will help you gain a better understanding of life at Dickinson and they will also answer any questions you may have. If you have the opportunity, visit campus and explore both campus and the Carlisle community. But most of all, keep an open mind about the opportunities that await you and try to enjoy the procees.

Sloane Fowkes '13 (fowkess@dickinson.edu)
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Major: psychology with a minor in Spanish
Activities: Alpha Phi Omega, co-coordinator of Cub Scouts, Tritons and Kappa Alpha Theta.
Best Dickinson experience: When I was pledging Alpha Phi Omega because I met a great group of people and everyone in the group is family. Also I loved it because we all share the passion of service and we all have fun doing it.
Advice : Make sure to research the school well and don't be influenced by your friends. go where it's right for you.

Hannah Garrett '14 (garretth@dickinson.edu)
Hometown: Berkeley, Calif.
Major: Interested in anthropology
Activities: Rock climbing, modern dance, DTG and Synergy 
Best Dickinson experience: I've only been here a short while and I'm having the best time of my life and making so many friends. The people here are so friendly and there's this feeling in the air that you can really make a difference in the world.
Advice : Most of the stress of the college process is from hearing from older students about how stressful it was. It's so easy to get caught up in the details of colleges (such as their prestige, a certain department, how nice the Web site was) as well when the only really important thing is "can I see myself living there and being happy?" I think gut impressions go a long way and are something you should pay attention to rather than all the outside voices of parents and peers.

David Nimer '14 (nimerd@dickinson.edu)
Hometown: San Carlos, Calif.
Major: interested in political science, history, philosophy
Activities: basketball, golf, baseball, football
Best Dickinson experience: Becoming best friends with my roommates.
Advice : Come do an overnight stay, and afterwards you'll know if you like Dickinson or not.

Karina Rabinowitz '14 (rabinowk@dickinson.edu)
Hometown: Redlands, Calif.
Major: Interested in psychology, art history and German
Activities: German Club, Phoenix, Microcosm yearbook and Dickinson Student Ambassadors
Best Dickinson experience: Dickinson was by far the happiest college I visited. From the students to the staff, everyone was friendly and enthusiastic about every aspect of the school.
Advice : Choose the school that best suits your personality and interests, not based on numbers and rankings. Once you find the school that fits, follow your gut?

Maeva Riley '14 (Maevajriley@gmail.com)
Hometown: Oakland, Calif.
Major: interested in international business & management
Activities: Cross country, indoor/outdoor track, flying single-engine airplanes, traveling, community service
Best Dickinson experience: Everybody is so friendly and honestly everywhere I walk, somebody is bound to say hello, even if they don't know you. This may not relate to everybody but my cross country tream is very close and I love the whole team environment. I've noticed that each of the sports teams has their own "family" and it is a really great way to make great friends.
Advice : I'd say do your research! I mean really, really do it. Once you learn about all of the different schools you want to apply to it will make it that much easier once you get in to many of the colleges. Also, visit the colleges you are interesed in and then visit the colleges after you are admitted. I thought that I wanted to go to certain schools, and as soon as I visited them I really did not see myself going there. Of course, once I visited Dickinson, I knew it was the place for me. But honestly, visiting a place that you might be living at for four years is a huge part of the decision. Just because a school has a great reputation definitely does not mean it is the right fit for you. you need to find a school that you can see yourself attending.

Michelle Sanchez '11 (sanchezm@dickinson.edu)
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Major: Undecided
Activities: cheerleading, track and field, America Reads, synchronized swimming, lifeguarding, history, going to the beach, traveling.
Best Dickinson experience: Having such great professors here at Dickinson has truly been wonderful. Professors are almost always available to help you out and work with you. They carry this attitude into the classroom, making discussions intriguing and understandable. It’s nice to know that professors sincerely want to work with you.
Advice : Research colleges well. If you can, come out and visit the campus. Ask students who are currently attending to give you feedback on the school. Stay open-minded always!

Colorado

Sandra Buck '12 (bucks@dickinson.edu)
Hometown: Highlands Ranch, Colo.
Major: Undecided
Activities: Cheerleading, Tritons
Best Dickinson experience: Walking on Dickinson's campus for the first time, I noticed the gorgeous campus. My experiences in the classroom have been just as great. The professors are so passionate and friendly.
Advice: Apply as soon as possible, and then focus on your senior year of high school.

Kelly Wetzel '11 (wetzelk@dickinson.edu)
Hometown: Superior, Colo.
Major: Neuroscience
Activities: Tritons, Red Cross Disaster Action Team, Kappa Alpha Theta
Advice: Find a school that fits. Dickinson has become my home-away-from home because the atmosphere was perfect for me.

Montana

Emma Messinger '11 (messinge@dickinson.edu)
Hometown: Belgrade, Mont.
Major: Undecided
Activities: I enjoy soccer, photography and shopping. I also love to be outside and be active.
Best Dickinson experience: Professors are great and people are friendly. I love my friends I have met here.
Advice: Try to visit the campus before you decide. Write down questions you have and try to find out as much information as you can, not just about academics but also campus life and extracurricular activities.

Oregon

Elyce Nollette '11 (nollette@dickinson.edu)
Hometown: Milwaukie, Ore.
Major: International Studies
Activities: Choir, Green Team
Best Dickinson experience: The professors are amazing and love to teach and reciprocate your enthusiasm. The people here are all nice, accepting and welcoming.

Texas

Laura Colleluori '14 (collelul@dickinson.edu)
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Major: Interested in political science, theatre, Italian and psychology.
Activities: Mermaid Players, College Choir, Italian Club, Feminist Collective, Spectrum, Secular Students Union
Best Dickinson experience: When I toured Dickinson, I was very impressed by the focus on preparing the students, and the school itself, for the future. From being one of the most environmentally sustainable college campuses in the Untied States, to having an incredible study-abroad program for such a small school, to President Durden's renewed emphasis on the importance of a liberal-arts education. Dickinson really seems to be a college that is going somewhere. And now that I'm here, I'm so excited to be a part of it. I also love the small classes, the availability of the professors and their willingness to help you succeed, the diversity, and the friendliness of everyone on campus.
Advice: My advice would be to avoid third-party Web sites where students can write reviews of their own colleges. I found those really unreliable, and they hardly ever matched up with my perception of the school after visiting. Definitely visit if you can, talk to as many people from the school as you can, and determine for yourself what you think of the schools you're looking at. After all, so much of college is what you make of it.

Emily Pryor '14 (pryore@dickinson.edu)
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Major: Undecided, but interested in humanities and international studies
Activities: theatre, College Democrats, community service
Best Dickinson experience: Visiting campus was what really helped me make my decision, but talking to other students who were from Dallas and who attend Dickinson really helped me get a good picuture of what life as a Dickinson student would be like.
Advice: As cliche' as it may sound, follow your heart. Look at schools that best suit the person that you are. Use searching for colleges as an opportunity to learn more about yourself. That way, you'll best be able to find the right place for you.

Kim Starfield '12 (starfiek@dickinson.edu)
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Major: Undecided
Activities: Student Senate, Enrollment Student Life Committee, D-tones, Tritons, Intramural Tennis
Best Dickinson experience: I remember meeting really nice people on campus who were excited to meet me and wanting to get to know me so that they could convince me to come here. Students who care that much about their school means something, and I was definitely convinced. Dickinson also totally had the community and campus feel I was looking for.
Advice: Make sure to keep an open mind! I know that it's difficult to make your decision and that you'll be considering many different places, but definitely visit schools, contact kids from those schools, and when you get there, keep your door open! You'll have a lot more fun that way.

Washington

Molly Anderson '14 (andersmo@dickinson.edu)
Hometown: Kirkland, Wash.
Major: English and political science
Activities: Ultimate Frisbee, WDCV Radio, Special Friends, Club Lacrosse
Best Dickinson experience: It's so refreshing to be surrounded by students and professors who are passionate and excited about the work they're doing. That kind of enthusiasm is contagious!
Advice: Just relax. The whole process can be so stressful, so take a deep breath and instead of worrying, get excited for the years ahead. You've already done the hard work and now you just get to explore a bunch of awesome schools, one of which will end up being your new home away from home. How exciting is that!

Zach Hartnett '11 (hartnetz@dickinson.edu)
Hometown: Seattle, Wash.
Major: International Business & Management
Activities: Ski and Snowboarding Club, Spanish
Best Dickinson experience: Meeting all of my new friends on the first day of school.
Advice: Don’t just go to a college where you think you will be comfortable. Go to a college where you will be challenged and enlightened.