Today is the final college visit of the trip. We got up later than usual (around 8:00) and went out for coffee and breakfast at a cafe across the street from our hotel. The tour met at the admission building at 10:00, we got there at 9:30 and the room was packed. At least 100 people (students and parents) decided to show up for tours today, so we filled out the forms and joined one of four tour groups. The tour didn't really share a whole lot more than we saw yesterday, except that a lot of the dorm-like buildings are actually classrooms. Still not sure what is where. After the tour was an information session led by the director of admissions. Here are some of the key points from the tour and the info session:

Programs

2 hours north of Boston in Hanover, NH

2 minutes from Vermont

"Dartmouth Plan" has students on quarter system, with summer quarter sophomore year and several off-campus study quarters

60% of students study internationally

Freshman housing gaurenteed, given in order of class afterwards (sophomores get waiting list at times)

Social life includes Greek system, college events, sports, community service and outdoor activities

Surrounding towns... small

All classes taught by professors, some discussion and lab sections use TA's

Admissions

All parts of application are important, including a peer reccomendation

SAT I and II tests are required (ACT can substitute for SAT I)

Early decision and regular decision, 13,000 apply, less than 20% accepted

$38,000 average cost

The info session and tour really didn't give me a great feel of the college; the college didn't seem to have the same feel that Cornell did. I'm not sure I could live here for four years, so I probably won't apply. I got my SAT scores back today online, looks like a combined total of 1410 (680 math, 730 writing). Also, I found out that I did not make state with my solo, so it looks like I can just concentrate on the duet.

Anyway... back to my day... after the tours, we got in the car and drove around the central New Hampshire / Vermont area. There's not a whole lot there. Meh. My dad had been having problems with his eye (an infection of some kind) so we stopped at the emergency room to get a perscription for some drops. Meh. There are only 5 radio stations, and 4 of them are christian talk radio. Meh. The other one is country and oldies. Meh. I have no cell phone coverage, if I'm lucky enough to get a signal, it's from the "PG 180" network. Meh. Welcome to the middle of nowhere.

Returned to Hanover and went out for pizza (gotta hit a pizza place in every town!) After dinner, we saw a play at the "HOP" (Hopkins Center for Performing Arts). The play was "Alladeen," it was about globalism and te outsourcing of jobs. Sounds boring, but it was presented with a combination of video, audio, and live action; it followed several workers in Bangalore, India hired by an American telephone sales company. Quite funny and very interesting.

Well, I have to get up at 4:30 (1:30, if I'm starting to adjust back to time in the 'Couve.) Be home tomorrow!