FAQ

1. Exploring Programs: General Questions

• 1.A. When can I participate in an off campus-program?

  Undergraduate Dartmouth students in good academic standing may study away for a term, multiple terms, or a year during their sophomore and/or junior years.
  
  Seniors are eligible for off-campus study however they must obtain permission from their major department or program and the Registrar to ensure the off-campus study will in no way interfere with proper completion of the major or other degree requirements. Seniors should take extra care in planning their off-campus study so that there are no interruptions in their major plan and that their D-plan provides a pathway to complete all degree requirements.
  
  Only undergraduate students are eligible to study away on Guarini Institute programs. Students who have graduated with their BA or will have graduated with their BA by the time of the program are not eligible for these programs.

  NOTE: It is important to begin planning well in advance of the term you will be off-campus. See the dates and deadlines page for more information.

• 1.B. Can I participate in more than one off-campus program?

  Yes! Students can spend up to 3 terms on off-campus programs, it just requires planning to ensure you are meeting all the requirements of your D-plan.

• 1.C. What kind of credit do I receive for an off-campus program?

  Students who participate in term-length Faculty-Directed programs take three courses and receive Dartmouth credit for these courses. Students who particiapte in the Fall + programs that run in the winter interim period will take one course and earn one Dartmouth credit.

  Students who particiapte in exchange programs must enroll in enough courses to be considered full time at the host institution and at Dartmouth. This requirement varies by institution, please check the program pages on the Guarini Institute's website and the websites of our exchange partners for more information. Students on exchange programs apply to earn transfer credit.

  The Non-Recording Option is not offered for any off-campus courses. 

• 1.D. Do I need to be able to speak another language to study abroad?

  No, you don't need to be proficient in another language to study off-campus. However, if you intend to participate in a language-based program you will likely need to demonstrate a certain level of language competency before participating in the program. You can find the prerequisites for each program on the respective program pages of the Guarini Institute's website. 

• 1.E. What study away options satisfy the language requirement?

  Students wishing to complete the language requirement must plan to go on a LSA or LSA+ program by the end of their seventh term in residence.

• 1.F. How do I know which programs I qualify for?

  Each program page has a list of program prerequisites. You may apply to any program so long as you are able to meet the prerequisites before departure for the program. There is a space in the application where you can explain what prerequisites you already meet and/or which prerequisites you do not yet meet but plan to before the program starts.

• 1.G. What are the program acceptance rates OR how competitive is each program?

  Acceptance will vary each year and for each program so there is no way to know any program's acceptance rate. Some programs are more competitive than others due to limited spots available, roster caps, strong student interest, or limited term offerings. The best any student can do is submit their strongest application. Some programs that do not meet their enrollment target may open applications during "Round 2" (March-May) to increase the applicant pool, so there are often second chances for students who were not accepted to a given program in the first round.

• 1.H. What options do I have if a program I'm interested in isn't offered during a term I'm available?

  Review the Program Offerings page to see if another term or option will fit into your D-Plan. Students should also speak with advisors, deans, or the staff at the Guarini Institute for advice on how to proceed. Lastly, students can provide feedback about concerns to the faculty director and/or the sponsoring department.

• 1.I. What is the difference between a Faculty-directed program and Exchange Program?

  Faculty-directed programs and exchange programs are all supported by the Guarini Institute and are sponsored by the College.  Students participating in a sponsored, Guarini Institute program are generally considered "on" for the duration of their program (some exceptions apply for exchange programs whose duration extends beyond one Dartmouth term). Students participating in a sponsored program qualify for Dartmouth financial aid. All other "non-sponsored" programs would be considered Transfer Term programs in which students cannot use financial aid to cover the cost of attendance. Transfer terms are normally done during an "off" term or require that students take a "leave" term.

  In general, Dartmouth-sponsored Faculty-Directed programs are term-length, cohort programs in which Dartmouth faculty lead a group of students onsite in group excursions and often teach at least one course. Students earn Dartmouth credit while on faculty-directed programs. 
  
  In general, Dartmouth-sponsored exchanges are programs that involve direct enrollment with a host institution to enable a university experience similar to that of a matriculated student. Students either participate independently or with a small number of other Dartmouth students. Students choose their courses based on available offerings at the host institution and can earn transfer credit to count toward their Dartmouth diploma. The length of exchange programs vary, depending on the program they can last for a trimester, a semester, or a full academic year.

• 1.J. Whom do I contact for questions about a specific program?

  Students should contact the program's Faculty Director, and/or the alternate program contact or department administrator (as listed on the program page). Students may also contact the Program & Exchange Manager, Noelle Warinsky.

• 1.K. What can I do if the exchange university I want to attend is not listed on your website?

  If a program is not organized through the Guarini Institute, then it would be considered a transfer term. To apply for a transfer term, students must work with the Registrar's Office. Please see the Registrar's website for more information about applying for a transfer term.

• 1.L. What is a Transfer Term program?

  While undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to participate in a Dartmouth-sponsored program (i.e. Guarini Institute programs), occasionally some students take a leave term and independently seek out an alternate program offered by another institution. These are referred to as Transfer Terms. Undergraduate students who elect to pursue this option and wish to receive transfer credit are required to provide an academic rationale for such study that meets certain standards established by the Committee on Instruction.

  Students must seek pre-approval to participate in a Transfer Term, and to transfer credit back to Dartmouth. If the Committee approves the student's program of study, the department or program has approved specific courses, and the Registrar has approved credit transferability, the student may earn transfer credit towards their Dartmouth degree. The student pays a transfer term fee of $2,200, unless they choose to be away fall term when there is no fee assessed.

  Students may transfer up to a total of four (4) credits to Dartmouth throughout their academic career. Dartmouth financial aid is not available for transfer terms. Undergraduate students may check with a financial aid counselor regarding their situation in the event they may be eligible for loans. Undergraduate students may be asked to provide a copy of approved forms to the Financial Aid Office.

  Transfer Term programs are administered by the Dartmouth Registrar's Office. The Guarini Institute does not advise students on transfer terms.

• 1.M. How do I know which courses are offered on an exchange?

  To find out which courses are offered at an exchange institution, students can normally check the exchange institution's online course catalog.  If the current academic year's schedule is not available, use previous year offerings as a reference. You can normally find the course catalog online through a simple Google search, although it can often also be found linked on the exchange institution's website for exchange students (if available). Links to exchange institutions' websites are available on the program pages of the Guarini Institute's website.

• 1.N. How are credits transferred for exchanges?

  Students on exchange programs earn transfer credit. More information on transfer credit can be found on the Registrar's website: https://www.dartmouth.edu/reg/enrollment/studyaway/exchange_prog_transf_cred.html

  Faculty regulations require that each undergraduate student planning an exchange term be in good academic standing and secure the prior approval of appropriate department or division at Dartmouth for all courses to be taken. Once the courses have been approved by the respective departments or divisions at Dartmouth, then the Registrar's Office will act to approve the entire package of courses. If approved, up to four credits may be transferred toward the Dartmouth degree. Admitted first-year students may normally transfer no more than four course credits whether such courses have been taken prior to matriculation or subsequently. Undergraduate students cannot earn transfer credits during the fall, winter or spring terms of their first or senior years (exceptions may apply in certain circumstances for seniors).

  Forms necessary for application for exchange credit must be filed in the Registrar's Office before departure for the host institution. The deadline for filing these exchange forms, completed and signed by the appropriate department chair or designate in the Registrar's Office is by the last day of classes in the term that precedes the exchange program.

  Depending upon departmental approval, exchange credits may be used toward partial satisfaction of major or general education requirements. Only the interdisciplinary credit must be taken at Dartmouth. Note, however, that courses taken under a pass-fail option may be transferred only if certified that the work was of "C" or higher level. Such credits may be used for course count only; they may not count toward the general education requirements. Only course grades of "C" or higher may be transferred to Dartmouth. Grades do not transfer or affect GPA, only course credits transfer and are recorded on the Dartmouth diploma.

2. How to Apply: Application

• 2.A. Who reviews my application(s)?

  Applications for faculty-directed programs are reviewed by the faculty director and/or a departmental committee made up of other faculty and staff (i.e. department administrators).

  Applications for exchange programs are reviewed by faculty director and/or a departmental committee made up of other faculty and staff (i.e. department administrators). After students are accepted and commit to exchange programs through the Guarini Institute they are then "nominated" to our partner institution. Some exchange institutions will also review the student's Guarini Institute application, although most institutions will have the students apply again separately through their own application process. 

• 2.B. Can someone from the Guarini Institute review my application(s) before I submit?

  No. Out of fairness to all students, the staff at the Guarini Institute do not review or edit student applications.

• 2.C. Can I apply to more than one program?

  Yes! Students are encouraged to apply to multiple programs per term and/or throughout the academic year to improve your chances of being accepted to a program. However, students may only commit to one program per term. Students will receive their acceptance decisions on March 1st. Students who are accepted to programs will then have until March 21st to decide whether to "commit" to a program or "decline" the offer. If you are accepted to multiple programs in one term you will have this period of time to decide which program (if any) you wish to commit to.

• 2.D. Can I use the same responses to application questions on several applications?

  Yes. Students may copy and paste responses from one application to another so long as they are tailored to the program in which they are applying. Faculty Directors only review applications for their own programs and don't know which, if any, other programs students have applied to.

• 2.E. Can I still apply to a program even if I don't currently meet all the program's prerequisites?

  Yes, you may still apply if you don't currently meet the prerequisites. As long as you plan to complete the prerequisites prior to departure for the program you are still eligible to apply. There is a section in the application that asks applicants to list the prerequisites they already meet and to explain their plan for meeting any prerequisites that they do not yet meet. You can explain more about your specific situation and academic plan in that section.

• 2.F. Why do some of my applications say "complete application" but not for others?

  For an application to read as a "complete application" you must have completed all the requirements for the application.

• 2.G. Should the transcript upload be an official or unofficial?

  For the purposes of the Guarini Institute's application, an unofficial transcript is sufficient.

• 2.H. Do I need a recommendation?

  The Keble College exchange is the only program that requires a recommendation to apply through the Guarini Institute. For more information on recommendations please review Step 3A on How To Apply.
  
   

• 2.I. How can I remove a recommender I added by accident?

  Recommenders can be removed by sending an email to the Guarini Institute: guarini.institute@dartmouth.edu

• 2.J. I don't have my recommendations for my exchange program in yet, should I still submit my application?

  Yes, you should still submit your application on time. Recommenders must submit their recommendations by the due date (11:59 PM EST) as well in order for your application to be considered complete. Recommenders can submit their recommendations even after your application is submitted.

• 2.K. The application question responses state a 4000 character limit. Should I use all 4000 characters?

  No, you should not use all 4000 characters. This is simply a standard setting of the application software for lengthier responses, not a suggestion. We do ask, however, that you provide a thorough response that answers the question. Responses are typically around 200-300 words and about 3 paragraphs.

• 2.L. When can I start my application for a term off campus?

  Applications will be available for the following academic year starting on October 1st. Applications will be open from October 1st until February 1st at 11:59 PM. Applications can be created at any time during that period, there are no rolling admissions. 
  
  Be sure to save your application as you go along and do so often. There is a "save" button at the bottom of the screen. Your application will not be submitted until you select the "submit" button which is also at the bottom of the screen. Once you submit the application you will not be able to edit it, so only submit once you are prepared to do so.

  For more information visit our pages: Dates & Deadlines and How To Apply

• 2.M. When is the application deadline?

  All application materials must be completed and submitted by February 1st, 11:59 PM. Late applications are not considered.

• 2.N. What is Round 2?

  Round 2 is an optional round for faculty-directed programs if enrollment or applications from the first round of applications was low or if they want to add more students to their roster. Round 2 programs will be announced on the Guarini website after the acceptance decisions for Round 1 have gone out on March 1st.

3. How to Apply: Application Status Changes

• 3.A. How and when will I know if my application status has changed?

  The Guarini Institute will notify you of a status change via email. Acceptance notifications are sent out by March 1st and accepted students then have until March 21st to decide to commit to a program or decline the offer. For more information on what each status means, visit our webpage on How to Apply.

• 3.B. How do I know if/when I will get off the waitlist? OR I'm waitlisted, now what?

  Placement on the waitlist means that you are qualified to go on the program if a spot becomes available. Therefore, any student from the waitlist can be accepted to go on a program during the terms that precede the program (and in some cases up to two weeks before program departure) if a space opens up on the program roster.

  While there there is no way of knowing ahead of time if a spot will be made available, we tend to see the most spots become available shortly after the March 21st commitment deadline and around the withdrawal deadlines of each term. The Guarini Institute does not keep ranked waitlists for programs. Instead, every time a spot becomes available the Guarini Institute contacts the Faculty Director of the program to select a student from the waitlist to offer acceptance to.

  If you are on the waitlist but no longer wish to remain on the waitlist you can withdraw at any time through your application or by e-mailing the Guarini Institute of your intention. 

• 3.C. How do I withdraw from a program?

  Follow the instructions on the withdrawing page. Before submitting your withdrawal, we highly suggest you speak with at least one the resources listed at the top of the withdrawing page such as your undergraduate dean/advisor or a Guarini staff member. Please note the withdrawal deadlines and the applicable late withdrawal fee.

4. Preparing to Go: Program Questions

• 4.A. When will the dates for my program be released?

  For Faculty-directed programs, dates are generally confirmed about 12 weeks preceding the term away. Dates will be available in your student application portal in the Documents tab and sent in the Guarini "Travel Guidance" email.

  For exchange programs, dates will be made available by the host institution according to their own timelines and procedures. Generally, students will be contacted by the host institution directly with information about their anticipated start and end date and they will coordinate with the host institution to arrive and depart on time.

• 4.B. When should I purchase my flight?

  For Faculty-Directed programs, the Guarini Institute will contact students with information called "Travel Guidance" when they should begin booking flights.

  For Exchange programs, we encourage students to wait to book flights until they receive information called "Travel Guidance" from the Guarini Institute that is sent early in the term that precedes their term off-campus. Students can book flights once they receive information from the host university on the program dates. When booking flights students should consider the dates of the host institution's academic calendar and any mandatory orientations they should participate in, as well as the move-in and move-out dates of their housing.

• 4.C. How do I register for classes?

  For Faculty-Directed programs, you don't have to register for study-away courses through Dartmouth. Shortly after the commitment deadline, the Guarini Institute will work with the Registrar's office to update the D-Plans of committed students. Once your D-plan shows you are on an off-campus program, the Registrar's Office will add you to your required courses. No other action on your part is required unless otherwise instructed to do so by the Guarini Institute (as is sometimes the case when registering for classes at host universities).

  For Exchange programs, students should register directly with the host university. You will be able to register for courses at the host university according to their own internal timelines and processes. While you prepare to register for courses at the host university, you will also need to prepare to apply for transfer credit for these courses. 

• 4.D. How can I find out who is going on the program with me?

  Students going on faculty-directed programs should reach out to their Faculty Director for more information on their cohort.  During the term preceding study away, the Faculty Director will bring students together for a program orientation and/or begin sending committed students email messages.  Students going on exchange programs are typically put in touch with their program cohort by Guarini staff shorly after the March 21st commitment deadline. Additionally,  Student Alumni Mentors from the Guarini Institute will be assigned to program groups and will facilitiate email and sometimes group text outreach during the term that precedes studying away.

   

• 4.E. Will I be able to travel while on program?

  The Guarini Institute advises students to stay in country while on program to alleviate program disruption due to any potential issues of immigration. Some departments do not allow students to travel outside of the program country during the program, so participants should check the program guide for detail.

• 4.F. Do I need to register my travel or request travel approval for my term away?

  The Guarini Institute does not require you to request approval to travel while you are at your study-abroad destination.  The only restrictions we may implement would be associated with global events that may preclude you from travel such as a security situation, a global health crisis, a weather event, etc.  It is the discretion of the faculty director to limit travel to within the host country.  This is often the case in language programs where the department may want students to be speaking in the target language.  We advise that you check in with the faculty director to ask if there are any program policies associated with travel outside of the program country.  It is the expectation that you will be at the program site for the duration of the program which is in reference to not returning home or being away from the site for extended periods that could impact you're your eligibility to receive credit if you were to miss program classes or events. This isn't typical in reference to regional travel.

• 4.G. I'm feeling worried and anxious about going on my program and am having second thoughts. Is there someone I can talk to?

  Feelings of worry or anxiety are completely normal; you're about to embark on a very different experience where you're not sure what to expect! We highly recommend students read the information on Experiencing Culture Shift within the Guarini Student Handbook for Off-Campus Programs, reach out to a student alumni mentor for assistance; and communicate with your program's faculty director or exchange manager, and your undergraduate dean/advisor

5. Preparing to Go: Financial Planning

• 5.A. Where can I find the program budget sheet?

  The most current program budget sheet can be found on each program page on our website and in the Program Info tab of the program application portal for committed students.

• 5.B. Are there scholarships or support for students who want to study away?

  There are scholarships available. See the Financing Your Program section of our website for details.

• 5.C. Can I use my financial aid to cover the cost of an off-campus program?

  Yes, financial aid applies to off-campus programs. 
  
  In order that all qualified Dartmouth undergraduate students may have the opportunity to take part in off-campus programs, the College endeavors to adjust its normal financial aid awards for students already receiving aid. Tuition and expected family contribution for Dartmouth's off-campus programs are the same as for an on-campus term.*

  All costs, including airfare and spending money, are considered when determining the cost of an off-campus program. Any costs in excess of a typical term in Hanover are met with additional Dartmouth Scholarship Funds.  Loan assistance is offered to replace the employment that would normally be included in an on-campus term.

  Students are responsible for purchasing their own plane ticket and, in many cases, meals. Often this means that part of the expected family contribution is used towards these costs rather than for tuition. For help sorting out who pays what and how, contacting the Financial Aid Office is often advisable.

  See the Financing Your Program section of our website and the Budgeting Your Time Away section of the Guarini Student Handbook for Off-Campus Programs for more details.
  
  *Students who participate on the 12 College Exchange program will not be billed Dartmouth tuition, instead they will be billed by their host institution for tuition and fees. Financial aid still applies to these programs, so if the total amount of the program is greater than a typical term in Hanover a student who is already receiving financial aid will receive an adjusted award to cover the difference in cost.

• 5.D. How do I pay my tuition for a term off-campus?

  Program fees billable by Dartmouth, including tuition and fees, will be posted on the students Dartmouth College account in advance of the program start date. 
  
  Students who participate on a 12 College Exchange program will not pay Dartmouth College tuition, instead they will pay their host institution's tuition. Generally, the host institution will bill students for this directly.

  See the Financing Your Program section of our website and the Budgeting Your Time Away section of the Guarini Student Handbook for Off-Campus Programs for more details.

• 5.E. How much will a term away cost?

  The fees charged by the College for a Dartmouth-sponsored off-campus term of study include regular tuition charges and service fees for a term at Dartmouth*, as well as the specific costs established for each program location. For many programs, the room and board costs tend to be higher than for a term in Hanover. You can view the most current budget sheet for a program right from this website by going to the program's page on our website and  looking at the "Financing Your Program" section. The cost of transportation to and from the site is the responsibility of the undergraduate student and can vary depending on where a student travels from.

  See the Financing Your Program section of our website and the Budgeting Your Time Away section of the Guarini Student Handbook for Off-Campus Programs for more details.

  *Students participating on the 12 College Exchange programs do not pay Dartmouth tuition, instead they pay the tuition and fees of their host institution. 

• 5.F. Why do exchange programs generally cost more than a term at Dartmouth?

  Unlike a term at Dartmouth, which is 10 weeks long, most exchange programs are based on a semester schedule which is typically 15+ weeks.  With an increase in the number of weeks you are enrolled in the exchange there is an increase in the tuition and fees associated with the semester as well as room and board.