Transfer Application

Page 1 and 2: Applicant, Future Plans, Demographics, Family

The first two pages of the Transfer Application provide the Admissions Office with information that will help us begin to understand the context from which you are applying - where you were born, what language you speak at home, where you live, with whom you live, how many people are in your family, etc.
The information on the first two pages of the application can help the reader understand something about the opportunities and resources available to you, but we are careful not to "pre-judge" applicants based on this information. We don't want to jump to any conclusions based on the limited information we receive in this first part of the application; instead we hope to use the information we learn here to better inform our perspective as we read more about you.

Page 3: Academics and Tests

The Transfer Application is also where you have the chance to let us know about changes in schools, special programs you've attended, and your current or future plans for college and university enrollment.
We'll also receive official reports about your schooling and standardized testing in other parts of the application, but page 3 of the First-Year application is a place where you can highlight information you want to be sure that we know.

Page 4: Honors and Activities

Most importantly, the Transfer Application is where you can tell the Admissions Committee about your interests and accomplishments.

The Honors, Extracurricular and Work Experience sections on page 4 are designed to provide ample room for applicants to tell Admissions Officers about their most significant achievements and pursuits beyond the classroom. You should not feel as if you need to fill in every line provided, but you should be sure to share with us those awards and honors that are meaningful to you and the activities and work experiences to which you have been committed during high school and college.
If you choose to enclose a resume with your application (you certainly don't "need" to do this), you should still be sure to complete the sections on page 4 of the Transfer Application.
When we review the information on page 4, we are not looking for a specific "type" of award, a certain number of activities, or a total amount of time that you "should" be spending on activities beyond the classroom. We are interested in understanding how have pursued your obligations and the opportunities available to you beyond the classroom, the influence these pursuits may have had on you, and the impact that they may have on your experience at Dartmouth. Another way of looking at this is that it is not what you do, but how you do it.

Page 5: Writing

On the final page of the Transfer Application, an applicant will share more detailed information about one of their extracurricular activities or work experiences, offer explanation for any disciplinary infractions, and provide additional information related to any special or unusual circumstances.

For the short answer response on page 5, focus on the activity or job has been most significant to you or a pursuit that has had an impact on your interests. Please be sure to let us know not just what you did but also what you learned and how you grew from your experiences.
Many students worry that reporting a disciplinary violation will automatically "disqualify" them from being admitted to Dartmouth. Just as one grade in one class will not determine the outcome of a student's application, one mistake will not automatically result in a "deny" decision. We review students' responses to the "Disciplinary History" section of the application carefully, and we consider these responses in the context of a student's entire application.
When considering whether or not complete the "Additional Information" section of the application, it's worth asking if the information you plan to provide is important to helping us understand your experiences and your potential to thrive in college. If the answer is "yes," then please include this information under "Additional Information."
Students who are not currently enrolled in school or whose education has been interrupted often use the "Addition Information" portion of the application to provide background on their experiences and their educational path.
The final piece that a student will include with the Transfer Application is the Personal Statement.