STEP 1: Prepare to Apply
Who can Apply for an Off-Campus Program?
Applications to the Guarini Institute's off-campus programs are open to all Dartmouth undergraduates who:
- anticipate being in good academic standing,
- plan to complete the necessary prerequisite course(s) at the time of participation, and
- have completed the First-Year Seminar Requirement.
- are applying for a program during the next academic year. Applications for off-campus programs are open from October 1 - February 1.
Application Tips
--> No applicants are guaranteed acceptance.
--> Only fully completed and submitted applications are reviewed.
--> Apply to Multiple Programs! Due to varying enrollment limits and the competitiveness of certain programs, applicants are encouraged to apply for more than one program even if it is during the same term. Applying to multiple programs will not affect your chances of acceptance in other programs since Faculty Directors only review applications for their own program(s). However, if you are accepted to two programs within the same term, you may only commit to one program per term. Keep responses in a Google Doc for reuse in multiple applications!
Find a Program and review Program Details
Use the Guarini Institute's program keyword and filter search feature to find and select a program page. Each program has a web page with general program information, as well as academic and financial information.
Review Important Program Details
- Check your DPlan. Students who anticipate or plan to study away in a given term should select an R (residential) term in their DPlan (Important: DO NOT select an L term if you plan to study away). If you're accepted to a program and commit then the Guarini Institute and Registrar will change your status to O (for faculty-directed programs) or X (for exchanges) for that term.
- Review Passports and Visas to ensure you will have a valid passport or need a visa.
- Review Dates and Deadlines
Meet with Dartmouth Resources
- The Guarini Institute. Reach out to the Guarini Institute with your questions. Email us, call us (603-646-1202), set up a meeting with a Guarini Institute staff member, or visit us at 44 North College St.
- Peers and/or Student Alumni Mentors.
- Your Undergraduate Dean. Seek advice to find out how an off-campus program fits into your academic goals. Consider a flexible study plan that takes into account when you can fulfill prerequisites, when you will be required to be on-campus, and when you will be required to take leave terms.
- The Office of Financial Aid. Talk with OFA about how they can help during an off-campus program.
- The Office of Visa and Immigration Services. It is critical that students on F-1 visas meet with their OVIS advisor before applying and mention a potential term off-campus. Your advisor will check your visa validity and let you know of any issues before they arise. Review the page on Passports and Visas for more information.
- The Program's Department Contact. Check the program page for the Faculty Director and department's contact details.
Request Faculty to be Recommenders
If your program requires a letter of recommendation (Keble College only) or requires the names and contact information for academic references (Spanish programs) please know that it is best practice to ask well before the application deadline. Letters of recommendation must be submitted by the application deadline in order for an application to be eligible for review.
For more information on recommendations see Step 3A below.