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The Dartmouth Plan
Pick a term, any term. With Dartmouth’s distinctive year-round system, you customize your own academic calendar. Since 1973, Dartmouth has offered four ten-week terms per year. Within some guidelines, you choose which 12 terms to enroll. The result: the ability to take full advantage of all Dartmouth has to offer, no matter the season.
Your D-Plan is your personal enrollment pattern. Here’s what you need to know:
There are three types of terms.
- R: Terms in residence. This is when you are in Hanover and enrolled in classes.
- O: Terms off-campus. You are not in Hanover, but you are enrolled in one of Dartmouth’s Language Study Abroad or Foreign Study Programs, or you are taking classes at another institution that will transfer credits.
- L: Leave terms. You are not enrolled. You could go on vacation, get an internship, find a job, do research, or travel.
You must be in residence for fall, winter, and spring terms of your first and final years, as well as the summer term of your sophomore year. Beyond those requirements, the rest is up to you.
The flexibility of the D-Plan, Dartmouth's year-round quarter system
| |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
Summer |
| First Year |
Required On-Campus |
Required On-Campus |
Required On-Campus |
You Choose |
| Sophomore Year |
You Choose |
You Choose |
You Choose |
Required On-Campus: Sophomore Summer |
| Junior Year |
You Choose |
You Choose |
You Choose |
You Choose |
| Senior Year |
Required On-Campus |
Required On-Campus |
Required On-Campus |
Graduation! |
What is so great about this system? Unparalleled flexibility. You decide when to take time off for work, research, internships, and travel. Study abroad is easy to fit in, even for pre-meds, double majors, and varsity athletes.
You might do an internship in the fall (and avoid the summer scramble). Conduct independent research in the winter. Study abroad in the spring. It’s all up to you.
Questions & Answers
Can I be on campus for other summers?
Yes. You can choose to enroll in more than one summer term if you'd like to (and it's a beautiful time to be on campus).
