We recently acquired a nice little softcover book from the 1920s titled: Dartmouth College: A Book of Information for the Guidance of Prospective Students and Others. The book is 88 pages and asks the prospective student a series of questions which it proceeds to answer. We excerpt a couple below.

The first question asked is “Why should a Boy go to College?” We forget that it wasn’t that long ago that colleges were geared toward boys and it was a woman’s place to stay at home. Part of Dartmouth’s answer to this brilliant question is, “College life brings a man into intimate contact with a number of other men of differing tastes, temperaments, and abilities.”

Where and How is Dartmouth College Situated? After describing the location in Hanover, NH the book goes ont o explain that the climate is helpful and invigorating and notes that “winter usually provides enough snow and ice to encourage out-of-door sports.” A master in understatement.

What are the Disadvantages and Advantages of this Situation? In other words, what is there to do in the winter with such shitty weather? They admit that “There are no theatres, concert halls, dance restaurants, or other similar places of recreation in the township. The opportunity for social diversion is mainly limited, except during the period of Winter Carnival. “Offsetting these things is, of course, the healthfulness of a college located among the northern hills in a bracing climate.”

What Kind of Boys go to Dartmouth, and Whence do They Come? “There are nearly all kinds of boys at Dartmouth. For it is Dartmouth ideal that its student body shall represent a cross section of the young manhood of the country.” “In classifying the student body on the basis of preparatory schools…” Translation: northeastern WASPS! They also take a shot at some of their ivy-league competition: “Dartmouth…is an institution surrounded by hills and woodlands rather than by sky-scrapers and manufacturing plants.”

And just in case you missed it in the question the college clearly states “Dartmouth is not a co-educational institution.”

What are the Opportunities for Personal Contact with the Faculty? “The homes of the faculty are open to student callers.” “Some entirely fail to establish themselves on terms of personal intimacy with their instructors.” Could you imagine publishing a question like this today? My how innocent the world was just 100 years ago.

How Much does it Cost to Attend Dartmouth?

$915/year!

The book is full of fabulous historical pictures of Dartmouth, its building, surroundings and traditions. The one below shows “Carving canes” and describes them as an “undergraduate rite. Each senior leaves his mark on his friends’ sticks. Here is a busy group of carvers at the senior fence.”

We have a nice selection of Dartmouth books and memorabilia on our website