Frequently Asked Questions about Visitor Programs
Visitor Programs
Why should I come to the Admissions Office when I visit Dartmouth?
A stop at the Admissions Office will provide the background you need to know in order to learn as much as you can about Dartmouth and the admissions process. Our visitor programs will connect you with current students and admissions officers who can answer many of the questions that you have about the College and the application process.
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Do you offer on-campus interviews?
No, we do not offer on-campus interviews. After submitting an application, first-year applicants may have the opportunity to participate in an optional alumni interview in their area. Interviews are coordinated by alumni volunteers, and we are not able to interview all applicants. We are unable to offer interviews to transfer applicants, and we only offer interviews to students living abroad if we need further information from an applicant. Early Decision applicants are offered alumni interviews between October and mid-November. Regular Decision applicants are offered interviews between December and mid-February.
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Can I be hosted overnight in a dorm?
You are welcome to arrange a stay with a friend or someone you know at Dartmouth. The Admissions Office does not host prospective applicants, but we do host Regular Decision admitted students in April.
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May I sit in on a class?
Prospective students may sit in on classes during the Fall and Winter terms, but we suggest that you ask ask at the Admissions Office before planning to attend a class. You may obtain class lists at the Admissions Office reception desk. We ask that visitors respect the following guidelines when sitting in on classes:
- Arrive 10 minutes before the class is scheduled to begin.
- Introduce yourself to the professor and ask permission to sit in on the class. In some instances, the professor will be unable to accommodate your request to sit in because the class will be taking an exam, because the class has been rescheduled to another time, or because of space limitations.
- Choose more than one class you would be interested in attending in the event that your first choice class cannot accommodate visitors on that day.
- Please plan to stay for the entire class period. It is disruptive to the class to have visitors arrive late or leave early from a class. On Tuesdays and Thursdays many class periods last for two hours. Often the professor will give the students a break in the middle of this two hour period. If you cannot stay for the entire class, the break period would be an appropriate time to leave. Check with the professor about whether or not they will be giving a break when you introduce yourself at the start of the class.
- Please ask the Reception Area Staff for assistance if you have any questions about visiting a class, finding a class location or if you’d like a recommendation about which class to attend.
Because of the large number of admitted students coming to campus during the Spring term, we can only provide class visits to admitted students during this time.
Due to the large number of visitors coming to our campus during the Summer term, and the relatively small size of our summer classes, Summer visitors will not be permitted to sit in on classes.
There may be other days during the year when we are not able accommodate visits to class, including Columbus Day, President's Day, and the dates immediately following these holidays.
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What is your weather policy for taking out tour groups?
We do our very best to provide tours according to our Daily Events calendar. If it's raining or snowing, tours will continue. In case of lightning, tours will not go out or will end as soon as lightning begins, as safety is a priority. During a lightning storm, guides can answer questions and share stories in the Admissions Office in McNutt if families are interested.
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Can I eat in a dining hall during my visit?
Yes, please do! Our dining halls accept cash, and visitors our welcome to eat in the different dining facilities on campus. Dartmouth offers terrific dining options and we think it makes sense for visitors to get a sense of what's available while they're here. Learn more about dining at Dartmouth from Dartmouth Dining Services.
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