Q. |
Will I survive the college admissions process? |
A. |
Absolutely. You're in for an amazing four years, but before you decide
where to apply, make sure you've done your homework. How do you learn and
interact? That's the first question to answer. Then make sure that the colleges
to which you apply MATCH your particular style. If you do that— you
would be THRILLED to attend any of the colleges to which you have applied
and are admitted—then you will have conquered the process. Enjoy your school
year, and please let any of us at Dickinson know how we can help you. |
Q. |
When are admissions and financial aid deadlines? |
A. |
For admissions and financial aid deadlines, please refer to our deadlines
calendar. |
Q. |
Is there a difference in competitiveness between Early Decision,
Early Action and Regular Decision? |
A. |
Yes. Due to the smaller size of the Early Decision (ED) applicant pool,
you will be evaluated based upon your own merits rather than in competition
with other applicants. In ED the Admissions Committee will also take your
very strong interest in Dickinson into consideration when rendering a decision.
On the other hand, in Early Action (EA) your application will be reviewed
in competition with other applicants. In EA the strongest applicants will
be accepted and, for solid candidates, deferral to Regular Decision is very
common. Regular Decision is our largest pool. You are admitted in Regular
Decision based on how competitive you are within the overall applicant pool
as well as your demonstration of fit with Dickinson. To learn more about
the application plans and options, please visit our admissions
plans Web page.
|
Q. |
Is there a difference in competitiveness between Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision? |
A. |
Yes. In Early
Decision, the Admissions committee is more concerned about whether an applicant can do the work at Dickinson and less concerned about the applicant's "competitiveness" within the applicant pool. Generally, a student is admitted under Early Action if the admissions committee believes that he or she is similar to students in the top half of the overall applicant pool. Students are admitted under Regular Decision based on how competitive they are within the overall applicant pool and depending on how many freshman spaces have not yet been filled. To learn more about the application options, please visit our admissions plans web page. |
Q. |
What documents are required for admission?
|
A. |
We encourage students to apply
online as an effective and environmentally
friendly method to submit your application. Dickinson is an exclusive user
of the Common Application. If you prefer, you may also download
application materials on our web site. If you do not have access to a computer or are
unable for any reason to complete forms online, please contact our office
at
800-644-1773 for a printed copy.
A completed Common Application
A completed Supplemental Form
Official secondary school transcript(s) which lists all courses and grades
A high school counselor recommendation
Academic teacher recommendations (one required, two recommended)
Official SAT1 or ACT test results (submission is optional for admission,
but required for academic scholarship consideration)
A nonrefundable $65 application fee by check or money order sent with the
Fee Agreement Form or online
using Visa, MasterCard or Discover
Early Decision candidates also submit a signed Early Decision Agreement
Form
Note that additional documents are required of International and Transfer applicants.
|
Q. |
May I provide additional materials in support of my application?
|
A. |
We value and encourage your submission of additional material in support
of your application. All candidates are welcome to supplement the required
application information with any additional material they feel will assist
the Admissions Committee in making a final decision. Specific guidance regarding
the submission of art
portfolios or music
materials is availabe on the appropriate
department's Web site. |
Q. |
Is an interview required for admission?
|
A. |
Interviewing can help us assess personal experineces, motivation, maturity
and your potential fit with Dickinson; however, participating in an interview
is not required for admission to Dickinson. If you decide to interview, in
addition to offering interviews on campus, Dickinson provides off-campus
interviews with trained parent and alumni volunteers. Please schedule your
interview well in advance of your application deadline. |
Q. |
What is Dickinson's policy regarding standardized test score submission? |
A. |
Dickinson's long-standing "test optional" policy provides you with a
choice regarding the submission of standardized
test scores. At Dickinson,
submitting SAT1 or ACT scores is optional for admission. This policy was
designed for students who have demonstrated academic excellence in the
classroom and who do not believe their standardized test scores accurately
reflect their abilities. If you choose not to submit test scores, you must
indicate so on #5 in Part 1, Dickinson Supplemental Form. Test score submission
is recommended for international
students applying for admission and is
required for academic scholarship consideration.
|
Q. |
What code should I use to send my standardized test results
to Dickinson College? |
A. |
The following codes should be used:
SAT - 2186
TOEFL - 2186
ACT - 3550 |
Q. |
What should I do if I am applying for need-based financial aid? |
A. |
Applicants interested in applying for need-based financial aid must submit
the CSS PROFILE form to the College Scholarship Service by the appropriate
admissions deadline. The Federal FAFSA must also be filed after January 1.
Estimate 2008 income data if federal income tax forms have not yet been prepared.
It is important to meet published deadlines, as financial aid from Dickinson
College is awarded on a funds-available basis. Dickinson's CSS PROFILE code
number is 2186, and our FAFSA code number is 003253. Dickinson College has
contracted with the College Board to collect tax returns through their IDOC
service. You will recieve detailed instructions from the College Board in
February. |
Q. |
Is a separate application required for merit scholarships? |
A. |
No. The John Dickinson, Benjamin Rush and John Montgomery scholarship programs
are open to all applicants for admissions whether or not they are need-based
aid candidates. Competitive applicants will be top performing students in
a rigorous curriculum who achieve superior test scores and demonstrate a
high level of engagement outside the classroom. For additional information
about scholarships and selection guidelines, please review our scholarship
Web pages. |
Q. |
How will I know if Dickinson has received my application and all
of the required documents? |
A. |
Please be sure to provide the Office of Admissions with a valid e-mail
address and watch your
e-mail account for important information. When we
begin to process your application we will send you an e-mail listing your
username and password along with a Web
site address. By logging into this
site you can track your application status online. |
Q. |
When will I hear my decision? |
A. |
Decisions will be mailed for Early Decision I and II approximately one
month after the deadlines. For Early Action and Regular Decision, decisions
will be mailed almost two months after the application deadlines. Need-based
financial aid and merit scholarship recipients will also be notified at the
time they receive their acceptance letters. We have recently added the ability
to view decisions online and we will send you an e-mail that lists your username
and password and the Web site
address. The online decisions will be made
available on the same date we mail the decision letters. |
Q. |
What can I do to increase my chances of being admitted to Dickinson? |
A. |
Primary consideration
for admission is always given to your academic and
extracurricular achievement in high school, as Dickinson seeks to enroll
a bright and talented first-year class. However, one of the best ways you
can make yourself stand out in an applicant pool, other things being equal,
is to make contact with your regional
admissions counselor. Your regional
admissions counselor is most familiar with high schools in your area and
can be an advocate for you during the admissions process. Make an effort
to visit, e-mail, call or write your regional admissions counselor. |
