Why I Chose Dartmouth

Since coming back from Spain, I have some time to reflect upon my last two years of Dartmouth. I keep thinking of how fortunate I am to have found such an incredible college that truly fits me both as a student and as an athlete.

I am always asked the question, why exactly did you choose Dartmouth? I always find myself asking the same question. Everyone’s answer is different. Most will say it is because of the incredible opportunities Dartmouth has to offer the students like the chance to travel abroad, or take an off term to find an internship, or do a community service project. This was definitely one of the most influential factors on my decision, but also many other things played an important role in my process of choosing a school.


Coming from Texas, it is rare to find many people who are willing to go to a school anywhere other than the South. I, too, thought I was one of those people. I always thought that I would follow in my sister’s footsteps and go to the University of Georgia and play volleyball for the Bulldogs. Never in my mind did I even consider the chance of me going to a college somewhere in the Northeast. It was not until my senior year of high school that I finally realized my dream of going to the University of Georgia was not my own dream; it was my sister’s dream. I have always done everything that my older sister did because that was all I have ever known. After making this realization, I began seriously considering different colleges all over the country; I did not want to limit myself by just staying in the South. I had not considered all of the other colleges that I had been recruited by, and what great things each of them had to offer.

The college that stood out to me the most was Dartmouth. Although I had never seen the campus, I had only ever heard incredible things about this school. I had one friend who was on the volleyball team at the time and when I approached her about the coaches and the program she talked with me for almost two hours just about how incredible the volleyball program was, and all great opportunities offered by Dartmouth.

I trusted her judgment and came to visit the campus. Instantaneously, I fell in love with both the campus and the volleyball program. The team and the coaches made me feel like I was already a member of the program, and I could honestly feel how excited they were that I had an interest in coming to Dartmouth. I did not have this same sense from any of the other colleges I had previously visited. I just had a sense that Dartmouth was the best fitting school for me.

So I took a risk, I decided to come to Dartmouth, and be a member of the Big Green volleyball program. Even though I was terrified of moving across the country and not having my family close to me, I was comforted by the fact that the members of the team and coaching staff would surround me. This was the first time in my life that I can think of where I made a choice solely on my own and not influenced by what my older sister would do.

By choosing Dartmouth, I get to continue to play volleyball for a Division I program, while also having a life outside of volleyball. We have the freedom to take off terms, and virtually do anything you can imagine. I have spent the past three months in Spain taking classes and traveling all around Europe with two of my best friends.

Most people who play volleyball in college are not blessed with these kinds of opportunities. I am fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of all of the wonderful possibilities that Dartmouth has to offer.

-Kendall Houston '12