D-Plan Planning (Your Enrollment Pattern) for the Class of 2016
Remember
Contact your undergraduate dean with questions: click for your dean.
Greetings, members of the Class of 2016!
It is time to begin thinking about how you will arrange your remaining terms at Dartmouth, as you prepare to file your enrollment pattern or D-Plan.
The information on this page and contained in the links below is designed to help you plan your D-Plan. Keep in mind that the deadline for filing your D-Plan is April 12, 2013.
Important D-Plan Planning Documents (from November, 2012 email to Class of 2016)
Definition of a "D-Plan" = A Student’s Enrollment Pattern
Definition of a "D-Plan" = A Student’s Enrollment Pattern, to include:
Terms enrolled on campus
Term(s) enrolled off campus
Leave terms
Your D-Plan is an agreement with the College and confirmation of where you intend to be each term.
It is important that your enrollment pattern accurately reflect your current plans at least two terms in advance.
Good to Know: D-Plans can be changed as your plans change.
If your plans change due to declaring a new major or for some other academic reason, you may reconfigure your D-Plan in the Registrar’s Office. All changes are subject to housing availability, and anticipated full occupancy in fall term may prevent you from changing from a Leave Term to a Residence Term.
Students with advanced placement credits have the option of graduating in fewer than twelve terms. This requires very careful planning, especially for those in highly sequential science or pre-health programs.
Create a D-Plan that works for you and your College experience.
The only two letters you need to know in April are "R" and "L" - but what do they mean?
R = “In Residence” [In Residence in Hanover, Taking Courses, or Studying for Dartmouth Credit on an Off-Campus or Exchange Program]
You are required to be "in residence" summer term following sophomore year and senior year (all three terms: fall, winter, spring).
As you think about which other Residence terms to select, you will want to consider both academic and non-academic factors.
Students undecided on a major may wish to be in Residence throughout the sophomore year in order to explore the curriculum broadly and consult with faculty.
Students who have decided on a major may need to examine major requirements with a department or program advisor and design a Residence pattern ("R" terms) built around specific courses.
Some decisions may be driven by extra-curricular commitments or one’s taste in climate. For example, Dartmouth’s seasons (as you are learning) are highly variable and your fondness for winter sports or summer leisure may be of some importance!
When you submit your D-Plan choices, if you plan to take an “O” (Off-Campus) term and/or an “X” (Dartmouth Exchange Program) term, enter them as “R” terms. Once your “O” and “X” programs have been approved, the Registrar will update your D-Plan with those designations.
O = “Off-campus” [Dartmouth Off-Campus, Credit-Carrying Programs (LSA, LSA+, FSP)]
The “Off-term” represents one of Dartmouth’s unique opportunities; during their first year, students should think about the possibilities for their off-terms.
Once students have completed their first-year requirements and three terms on campus, they may participate in a Dartmouth-sponsored Off-CampusProgram in the United States or abroad and earn a term of academic credit.
Most application deadlines for 2013-2014 Off-campus programs are in February 2013!
If you qualify for financial aid, that aid can be applied to an Off-Campus Program.
Please be advised: you are limited to participating in three (3) off-campus programs.
X = “Exchange” [Academic Term on a Dartmouth Exchange Program]
Dartmouth offers special “Exchange Programs” at more than 20 institutions worldwide.
Please note that you may transfer a maximum of four Dartmouth equivalent credits, including any pre-matriculation transfer credits, during your Dartmouth career.
Please be advised: Exchange Credit requires prior approval from the Dartmouth academic department/program and the Registrar.
Please contact the following offices for more information:
L = “Leave” [Away from Campus for Employment, Internship, Transfer Term, or Time Off]
On each of the three D-Plans you submit, you are required to take three leave terms. On one of your submitted D-Plans, ONE leave term must be in the FALL of either sophomore or junior year.
Please note: While Dartmouth does not give academic credit for internships, an internship during a leave term can help you gain skills and experience, and explore careers.
If you earned multiple credits at entrance, you have the option of using two or more leave terms back-to-back for in-depth career explorations through salaried employment or volunteer experiences. (Please be advised that most student loans require repayment to begin after specific periods of non-enrollment.)
When you submit your D-Plan choices, you will list a "T" term (Transfer) as an "L" term, as well as those terms on "Leave," when you are away from campus for employment, internship, or time off.
Student Employment and Work-study: Leave term work-study opportunities are also available for eligible students interested in working for an on-campus employer or at a participating local community service agency during a leave term. Consult Student Employment at 603.646.3641 for more information.
More About Internships, as well as Student Research with Dartmouth Faculty!
Many students opt to maximize their "leave terms" either by securing an internship off campus or by conducting research with Dartmouth faculty (on or off campus).
While many internships are paid, some are not.
There are several offices on campus that provide funding for unpaid internships.
In addition, there is funding available for students who engage in research with Dartmouth faculty.
See your Undergraduate Dean regarding the ways in which your plans for Transfer Credit align with your academic goals and program.
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Transfer Credit REQUIRES review and approval by a sub-committee of the Committee on Instruction, the Registrar, and the Departments/Programs accepting transfer of the courses.
