WHY DARTMOUTH?

"A sinister motive underlies our every action, and so it is but little wonder that you desire to know my reason in choosing Dartmouth."

"And Dartmouth? This is a question easily propounded, but not readily answered. Should I give vent to an effervescence of admiration, eloquently lauding the idealism, the spirit, etc., of Dartmouth, my motive might be questioned, and my sincerity doubted."

The Press is full of statements of why Dartmouth selects boys, and it seems about time the alumni were told why boys nowadays select Dartmouth. Each applicant for admission to the class of 1926 was asked to give his reasons for choosing Dartmouth, and the following is a study of the drift of this most important life current of the college.

Approximately 1700 reasons for selecting Dartmouth were listed, and it turns out that the location of the college, made picturesque and symbolized by the Outing Club, and felt by the entire country to be out of-doors, is beyond doubt the main influence in pointing boys toward Dartmouth. No less than 606 of the reasons tabulated refer in some way to the location of the college. Two hundred and thirty-four of these made simply a general reference to a location where nature is undefiled. "Nestled in the hills" is a sentence reported in manifold ways. One of these boys has a purpose in life, for he states, "Since Dartmouth is situated in the White Mountains, I can pursue my favorite sport, fishing." Let the horned pout in Occom pond blow their horns! Another lad chooses Dartmouth because of its location "near Boston," and many deluded youths come to a "wonderful scene of nature, in which it is easy to study." But, after all, what can be more fundamental than this statement of one of the 606; "The ideal spot for either work or vacation is a place where the hand of God still reigns supreme over nature."

One hundred and eighty-three, among the 606 were attracted by our "winter sports" and 146 speak of our "distance from the city." Among the latter were those who sought to get where "there were no girls close at hand," and others who wanted "New Hampshire, with its provincial atmosphere." Finally, 43 were seeking "climate," apparently never having enjoyed the aquatic sports on Main Street in April.

It is interesting to philosophize over the fact that more than a third of the boys coming to Dartmouth are attracted by the various elements connected with the location of the college. The only explanation for our great vogue is that the majority of the American people love, above all else, a wholesome outdoor life, and, without design, the possibilities and picturesqueness of such life at Dartmouth have been broadcasted by the activities of the Dartmouth Outing Club. It is interesting to recall, in this connection, that almost every suggestion made by the patron saint of the Outing Club, Dr. John E. Johnson, has been in the line of making the activities of this club more picturesque. Next in importance to our location are our friends. Three hundred and eleven boys chose Dartmouth because "relatives and friends" really knew the college. Two hundred and seven applicants believe in the "Dartmouth Spirit," and long to be injected with it. I am, personally, always amazed in conversation and correspondence, with the potency of this serum. Any alumnus once treated is immune to everything but Dartmouth. As that noted Yale explorer, Captain Traprock, says of the Esquimo punch, which he and his brides so much enjoyed, "it has authority."

One hundred and thirty-nine boys chose Dartmouth — they said — because of its "excellent educational facilities, and high scholastic standing." As one wrote, "because I bel-e-i-ve the faculty thorour-ghly competent." One hundred and twenty-eight men were attracted by the Tuck School. Probably, most of these believe that a course in Economics and Spanish will insure their Bradstreet rating as South American plutocrats and know nothing of the excellently balanced Tuck School course. When will a generation realize that success in business will be best insured by the real mastery of any subject, Economics, or Spanish, or Greek, and not by the swallowing of formulas currently believed to be facts. In spite of the large number of boys headed for the Pre-Medical course, only three indicated such a course as their reason for choosing Dartmouth, whereas nineteen were especially attracted by the reputation of graduates of the Thayer School.

The "democracy" of Dartmouth was the Golden Fleece of Ill applicants, and, reading between the lines, I have come to believe that a wide faith in the actual democracy of life here is nearly as potent bait as the location of the college. Athletics at Dartmouth drew 86 boys, 6 of whom must have heard of the "Green Key" as they were enthused with the treatment given visiting teams; 61 were interested because Dartmouth was a "small college," and 27 had heard of the Dartmouth faculty. One boy said: "I believe the professors there can teach me as well as any." Finally, mirabiledictu, four boys came because they were attracted by the Selective Process. As time goes on, perhaps our total number of applications for admission may decrease, because boys obviously deficient in the qualities we want will cease applying, but it is my firm belief that the Selective Process, itself, will tend to attract in increasing numbers high grade boys who, otherwise, might not have thought of Dartmouth.

A bit of cheese always comes well at the end of a meal, and, after all, the miscellaneous reasons given for choosing Dartmouth are what have kept the joy in life. I will close therefore with a few quotations.

"Who can tell what influences the inclinations of the very young? It might have been a football, or a vision of endless snow."

"For seventeen years, last August, I have been the son of a Dartmouth alumnus."

"The college in which I could prepare myself, both intellectually and morally, for the after life," and another expert in dermitology wrote, "In after life I intend to practice medicine and surgery."

Still another is more interested in this life, because "the meals served at Commons are better than can be expected."

One boy had evidently not heard of how the traces broke with one of our Profess rs, because he "selected Dartmouth because I believe in hitching my wagon to a star."

One boy wanted a school for "gentlemen only," and another wished "to show appreciation to God by being a someone."

One "saw from your requirements that one must be in earnest to attend your college."

Another, had heard of Wilder Hall, for his ambition is "to excel Thomas Edison in the field of research and inventions" and he probably knows that Edison could have gone further if he had had a college training.

Yet another boy comes because "an electrical instrument was invented by a certain Dartmouth Professor."

Think of the Dartmouth spirit! One lad was headed toward Dartmouth "through the influence of a lady teacher who had attended a Dartmouth summer school."

Two boys probably were refused admission, one of whom insisted on calling me "Fred" throughout his letter, and the other "My dear Mr. Bushman." The latter, I expect had been frying it out on the dog.

THE REASONS

Location — Out-of-doors ...........606 Relatives and Friends ...........311 Dartmouth Spirit ................207 Educational Facilities ..........139 Tuck School .....................128 Democracy .......................11l Small College ...................61 Athletics .......................86 Faculty .........................27 Thayer School ...................19 Selective Process ...............4 Medical School ..................3 1702

By E. GORDON BILL Director of Admissions