Dickinson College Reviews

Public transportation is pretty...

Public transportation is pretty terrible in Carlisle. The nearest train station is about 30 minutes away in Harrisburg, and the nearest airport is about the same distance. There aren't really any accessible buses around Carlisle, either. The College has shuttle services, but it's usually best if you have a car. And, most people here are wealthy enough that they do have their own cars.

We have bikes! And we there vans...

We have bikes! And we there vans to get to where you need to go. But, Dickinson is right downtown, so it's usually not a problem getting anywhere.

Economically, everyone seems...

Economically, everyone seems rather well off, but few people seem to take their education for granted. Ethnically, it is very diverse with tons of foreign students. Ideologically, the school has a wide spectrum of different groups with different opinions, just not politically. There are the environmentalists, artsy students, etc. Politically, it seems to tilt liberal handily.

Freshman can't bring a car, but...

Freshman can't bring a car, but honestly, campus is so small that you can walk everywhere. As far as parking goes, student parking lots are all on the outskirts of campus, so driving your car to class actually would make you walk more than it would to just walk to class. But, there are plenty of spots if you want your car on campus so that you can go into Harrisburg or somewhere else.

Drugs are an absolute no-no, and...

Drugs are an absolute no-no, and drinking is pretty strictly enforced, especially on campus. However, if you're quiet, you clean up after yourself, and no one pukes in the hallway, you're probably okay.

There is occasionally some crime...

There is occasionally some crime in the community, but on-campus crime doesn't really happen because the school is so small, and everyone knows everyone else. DPS (public safety) is helpful when you need them, but they spend a lot of time writing parking tickets and busting parties held in dorm rooms.

Nearly everything is in walking...

Nearly everything is in walking distance, so there is no public transportation. But, you can call for a cab if you really need it.

There are quite a few...

There are quite a few international students, but they mostly associate amongst themselves. Everyone else is a preppy, upper-middle class white kid who wears J.Crew.

Dickinson police crack down on...

Dickinson police crack down on drugs but is pretty lenient when dealing with alcohol. However, they are quick to interrupt some parties.

The diversity at Dickinson is...

The diversity at Dickinson is nothing to be proud of. There are very few minority students, and most students are incredibly wealthy. There is some religious and ideological diversity, but it is overshadowed by the fact that everyone is white with a trust fund. Sexual preferences differ, but acceptance of different preferences is hit or miss.

The cafeteria is pretty good, but...

The cafeteria is pretty good, but gets extremely repetitive. The vegan is usually better than everything else. The SNAR has very tasty food but terrible service. Grab-and-Go is great for lunch.

Greek life is great on campus. Not...

Greek life is great on campus. Not everyone is head over heels about it, but the people who do rush end up having a great time with it. Some of the Greeks are the smartest people in the school, and there are many community service activities that go along with being Greek. The parties are also a blast. In the end, Greek life does not take up the social scene, and if you choose not to do it, that is fine—there are other social scenes.

It's very easy to get around...

It's very easy to get around campus, so there is no real need for a car. However, if you have one, it is nice.

It doesn't exist at all. The cabs...

It doesn't exist at all. The cabs are quite reliable, though, but they obviously cost a good amount of money.

Parking is fine. Freshmen aren't...

Parking is fine. Freshmen aren't allowed cars, although there are always a handful that use Carlisle Borough street parking all the time and spend their evenings moving their cars to avoid tickets. Cars are only necessary if you think you'll be leaving Carlisle often, because otherwise, it's not a bad town for walking and biking, especially if it's not too cold.

The campus is relatively...

The campus is relatively monochromatic, especially socioeconomically. However, the College is making strides to bring in a more diverse student body.

Computer terminals are ubiquitous...

Computer terminals are ubiquitous on campus. I can't go anywhere without the ability to check my e-mail, which my professors exploit to send last-minute messages about coursework, changes to class meetings, and the like. With an equal distribution of Macs and PCs, the computer options on campus aim to please all audiences.

Having your own computer is always...

Having your own computer is always a good idea but you will be able to make do without, as well. The library has laptops to borrow, and there is usually a computer in the library or Microroom if you look hard enough. Things get busy around finals, but even then, you should be able to find a computer.

I'm not a huge partier, but that...

I'm not a huge partier, but that scene does seem to be mostly dominated by Greek life and its rivals, such as the Frisbee team. Any time I've ever wanted to go out, there hasn't been a lack of keg parties. Town bars are favorites for the 21-and-up crowd because of their kitschy hick appeal.

My professors are highly engaged...

My professors are highly engaged in their research and their teaching. My experience has been that professors always make themselves accessible outside of class, and their comments on written work are the driving force of the curriculum in most departments. Dickinson's strong emphasis on "global education" was very attractive to me, and I was able to study abroad in Toulouse, France, a beautiful city with no other American study abroad program.

The immediate boundaries of the...

The immediate boundaries of the campus are very secure, and I always feel safe here. A few of the surrounding neighborhoods are kind of difficult, though, and authorities have asked students to be vigilant. I don't walk home by myself at 3 a.m., but I probably wouldn't do that anywhere.

Food on campus is generally high...

Food on campus is generally high quality and balanced for a healthy diet. The one main dining hall on campus makes for a community atmosphere, but the hours are limited, so the more involved a student is, the less likely he or she is able to eat there. As with any institution, there are many cult favorites and, of course, a few menu items that send students running for the cold cereal bar at dinner. More often than not, though, Dining Services does a pretty good job taking care of us and listening to our wants and needs.

They're extremely strict about...

They're extremely strict about drugs, but less so about drinking. Often, if DPS breaks up a party with drinking going on, they just make everyone leave. Sometimes they give you a citation, but that only results in a $25 fine. For drugs, however, they almost always send you to the dean. They actively search out marijuana smokers and have an officer whose specialty is prowling about to catch them. A first offense has a wide swath of punishments, a second gets you on a stayed suspension, and a third gets you suspended for a year.

DPS definitely has a visible...

DPS definitely has a visible presence on our campus, and parties do get busted by them fairly often. If you get caught doing anything illegally, the consequences can be pretty serious. First-time offenders will not get as much of a punishment.

There is none. You either walk—and...

There is none. You either walk—and there are lots of places to walk to—or you drive.