FAQ

General

• Are the budget shortfalls due to Covid-19?  If so, why have the offerings decreased seemingly permanently? 

  The shortfalls are a reflection of the larger college budget picture and some funding issues with the Guarini Institute where the overall budget expense associated with our programs has outpaced the college's funding of programs in recent years. There is a recent article in the Dartmouth News that addresses this topic in a detailed manner, and we encourage you to read more here: https://news.dartmouth.edu/news/2021/02/dartmouth-adjusting-campus-program-portfolio 
   

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

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

• What is off-campus study?

  Dartmouth College defines off campus study as a term away from the Dartmouth campus where students are receiving credit toward their Dartmouth degree.

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

  Dartmouth students in good academic standing may study away for a term, multiple terms or a year during their sophomore and/or junior years. NOTE: It is important to begin planning well in advance of the term you will be off campus. See dates and deadlines section.

• Who can study away?

  Applications to the Guarini Institute's off-campus programs are open to all Dartmouth undergraduates who anticipate being in good academic standing and plan to complete the necessary prerequisite course(s) at the time of participation.  Acceptance to these programs is based on application materials, recommendations and, in some cases, interviews. Accepted students must be in good academic standing, not have a temporary standing of Incomplete in any course and have completed the First-Year Seminar requirement.  Programs are open to Dartmouth students only.

• Why study away?

  When deciding whether to study away, there are several benefits to consider. Overwhelmingly, students report that they come back feeling refreshed and invigorated from their experience, approaching their remaining studies with new energy and broadened world view. They may develop new academic interests, change directions, enhance their language skills, and/or bring a new focus to their studies and their lives.

Application

• By what time of day do I need to submit my application?

  Applications are due online by 11:59 pm on February 1st.

• Can I apply to more than one program?

  Students can apply to multiple programs but may only commit to one program per term.

   

• Can I ask my Faculty Director to write a letter of recommendation for me? 

  The purpose of the recommendations is to help the Faculty Director pick the best students for the program.  Recommendations other than the Director is preferred and most beneficial.

• Do I need to register for the classes taken on the FSP/LSA/DSP?

  No, once your D-plan shows you are on the program, the Registrar's Office will put you in the required courses.

• For some of my finished application, it doesn't say "complete application" next to the program, but for some it does. Do you know why this is happening?

  For it to read "complete application" you must have all the boxes checked for that phase of the application.  You must have read all required documents and submitted others as well as your recommendations.

• For the application, should the transcript we upload be an unofficial or official transcript?

  An unofficial transcript is acceptable.  However, some partner schools will require a copy of the application in which they want official transcripts so if you can obtain an official transcript that would be best.

• How do I remove a recommender I added by accident?

  ​​​​​​Send an email to the Guarini Institute asking that the recommender to be removed.

• I don't have my recommendations in yet, should I still submit my application?

  To be considered, you must submit your application by the due date.  The due date does not stop recommendations from being submitted.

• If I don't complete the application the first time through and want to return to complete it, how do I do that?

  You will need to return to the program brochure, click on the "Apply Now" button and continue with your application. If you have more than one active application, you can also access your other applications on your personal home page once you are logged onto the system. If you have "submitted" your application, you will need to contact the Guarini Institute to ask them to "unsubmit" it for you so you can make your changes. You will then need to "submit" it again.

• If I have a question about a specific program and want more information who do I contact?

  The Faculty Director or Faculty Advisor for the current year is listed on our website, you should check in with them and/or the department administrator.

• The application lets me rank the programs online, do I have to rank each one?

   No, this is a function of the application that we do not use.  

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

  No, it is not necessary to fill the 4000 characters.  We do ask, however, that you provide a thorough answer.

• What do I do with the cc email address box?

  This box is available should you have an alternate email address you would like to have correspondence sent in addition to your Dartmouth email address.

   

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

  Although Dartmouth undergraduate students may occasionally elect a two-course or four-course load while in Hanover, all undergraduate students on off-campus programs must take three courses. There are few exceptions to this rule, however, the Keble College exchange at Oxford does only require two courses for the term.  The Non-Recording Option is not offered for any off-campus courses. Students are expected to be at their program for its full duration.

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

  All applications for LSA, LSA+, FSP, DSP and Exchange programs will be available on-line October 1st for the following academic year. 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. Undergraduate students are expected to devise a clear and coherent plan of study before applying.

• When is the application deadline?

  All forms must be completed and submitted by February 1st for the following academic year. Faculty directors will decide whether late applications will be considered. Students wishing to complete the language requirement by going on an LSA must plan to do so by the end of their seventh term in residence.

Financial Planning

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

  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. Thus, the difference between the necessary costs of the program and the costs of a term in Hanover are generally covered for those students receiving financial aid. For more detailed information, contact the Dartmouth Financial Aid Office.

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

  Individual program costs vary based on a variety of factors, such as program structure, hours of credit, length of program, number of excursions or other group activities and location.  The tuition and fees for Dartmouth faculty-directed programs (FSP, LSA, DSP) are listed on the program budget which can be found on each program page.  Program fees billable by Dartmouth will be posted on the students Dartmouth College account in advance of the program start date.

• 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. In many programs, the room and board costs tend to be slightly higher than for a term in Hanover. You can view a budget sheet for most programs right from this website by looking at the brochure page of a particular program. The cost of transportation to and from the site is the responsibility of the undergraduate student.

• What should I do if I need to withdraw from my program in advance of the start date?

  If a student needs to withdraw from their study abroad program, they should email the Guarini Institute as soon as possible. Please visit the dates and deadlines section for further details.

  If you withdraw after this date you will have to pay a $500 penalty fee for late withdrawal or if the Guarini Institute removes you from the program for any reason other than failing the prerequisite course(s).  If you wish to be in residence for the term indicated for off campus study, you must notify the Guarini Institute of your withdrawal in writing.

Choosing a Program

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

  The short answer is no you don't need to be proficient in another language to study off-campus. If the language of the host country in which you want to study is French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, or Spanish, in most cases you must demonstrate a certain level of language competency before applying to the program and take your coursework in the local language while abroad. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule and you can find pre-requisites for each program on their respective program pages.  Programs in English-speaking locations (such as the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand) are also available and have no language pre-requisites.

• How do I know which programs I qualify for?

  Each program page has a list of program pre-requisites. 

• What is a Transfer Term program?

  While undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to participate in a Dartmouth-sponsored program, 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.

• What is the difference between a Dartmouth sponsored program and other options?

  Faculty directed programs (FSP, LSA, and DSP) and Dartmouth Exchanges are all program types supported by the Guarini Institute.  Students participating in a sponsored program qualify for Dartmouth financial aid, all other programs would be considered Transfer Term programs in which students cannot use their financial aid to cover the cost of attendance. 

Preparing to Study Away

• How are you evaluating whether programs will run?

  We are evaluating programs on an individual basis, term by term. Some of the things we are monitoring are the spread and rate of COVID infections, the rate of vaccinations, travel restrictions, entry requirements, testing requirements, and whether we would be able to run an enriching program with all of the needed protections in place.  

• How will I find out who is going on the program with me? 

  Students going on faculty-led programs should reach out to their Faculty Director for more information on their cohort.  Typically, the Faculty Director will bring all of the students together or begin sending committed students email messages. Students going on exchange programs are typically put in touch by Guarini staff after the withdrawal deadline for their program. 

• If my program gets canceled can I still register to be on campus and take classes?

  We encourage students to contact their Undergraduate Dean if plans change to determine what options may best suit their circumstances.

• If my program gets cancelled, do we get priority consideration for applications the following year?

  We added a question item to the application for students to indicate if they were impacted by a prior program cancellation.  It is at the discretion of the faculty director or the department to determine which applicants would be best qualified for the program in the coming year based on the applicant pool, but often faculty directors take into consideration which students have been impacted by multiple cancellations and where students may be in their degree plan.

• When should I purchase my flight? 

  The Guarini Institute will contact students when they should begin booking flights. 

• When should we schedule our travel consult? 

  Students can begin scheduling their travel consult no more than 100 days before the start of their program. 

• When will the dates for my program be released?

  Program dates are generally confirmed about 12 weeks in advance of the term a program runs in. Dates will be available in your student portal in our Terra Dotta application system. 

   

• When will you announce program cancellations?

  While we are planning for programs to run, when we have made cancellations they are typically announced early in the term preceding the term off-campus.

• Will I be able to travel while on program? 

  Travel protocols will likely look differently this year. It may include directions to travel directly from your home or Dartmouth to the program location. We anticipate that there may be a need, depending on what is happening with COVID-19 in the country, to restrict travel within the country. We are planning for programs to be able to do excursions around the country, but we cannot guarantee that. Students can travel after the program but some of the same considerations are still in play so it is important to think through what you would do in the event of travel related disruptions or having to quarantine in a different country. 

• Will students be allowed to opt out of living with families for the year 2021-2022? 

  We will not be having homestays for the fall programs and are evaluating this integral component for future terms.  There are a lot of safety and logistical considerations around homestays at this time and we will be taking a very conservative approach. 

Exchange Programs

• How could we design our own exchange program to other schools in the United States or even in other countries?

  These would be considered Transfer Terms and you would need to go through the Registrar's Office for these types of programs.

• How do I know which courses are offered on an exchange I am interested in? 

  You would need to go to the exchange school website to see what courses they offer.  If they don't show a current year schedule, you can use what was offered the previous year as a reference.

• How do my credits get transferred for an exchange?

  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 exchange 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 early in the Dartmouth term immediately preceding the first day of the exchange term.

   

  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, only course credits transfer.

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

  Unlike a term at Dartmouth, which is 10 weeks, 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.