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Dickinson Admissions Information

Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA (map)

 

Founded only a few days after the end of the Revolutionary War, it should come as no surprise that Dickinson College’s history is deeply American, rich with lasting roots. In fact, the school was the first chartered college in the newly-established United States. To this day, students at Dickinson are exceptionally bright and take advantage of the school’s wide range of academic opportunities. Dickinson’s status as a college ensures that undergraduates receive maximum attention from the faculty, and with a low student-to-professor ratio, close and interactive relationships between the two are encouraged. The college’s study abroad program is noted as one of the most competitive and integrated; with programs in 12 countries led by full-time Dickinson staff, students enrolling in these programs certainly experience the best of both worlds.

Outside of the classroom, Dickinson students may be found participating in any of nearly 150 on-campus organizations. Nearly a quarter of all students join a fraternity or sorority, and many more take part in intramural sports (popular teams include sand volleyball and badminton). The school’s small undergraduate population is further bonded by mandatory on-campus living for most students, although classes are separated according to housing type (freshman live in dorms, sophomores and juniors in suites, and seniors may either live in on-campus housing or move off-campus). In addition, with fairly easy access to Pennsylvania’s capital of Harrisburg, as well as Baltimore and Philadelphia, students at Dickinson have many opportunities for entertainment and cultural enrichment at their fingertips.

 

 

Basic Info

Main Address: North College Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
 
Phone Number: (717) 243-5121  
Website: www.dickinson.edu  

Characteristics

Type of school: Private, Liberal-Arts  
Type of school: Coed  
Setting: Suburban, Large town; Residential campus  
Athletics: Division III, Intercollegiate, Intramural, Club  
Degrees offered: Bachelor's  
Size of undergraduate student body: 2,414  
Percent out-of-state: 76%  
Percent international: 0%  
Female to Male ratio: 54:46  

Academic Life

Student to Professor ratio: 10:1  
Most popular majors: Social Sciences
Business/Marketing
Biology
Foreign Languages and Literature
Area and Ethnic Studies
English
Psychology
 
Special study programs: Accelerated Program
Cross-Registration
Double Major
ESL
Independent Study
Internships
Liberal Arts/Career Combination
ROTC, Army
Student-Designed Major
Study Abroad
Teacher Certification
Visiting/Exchange Student Program
Washington Semester
 

Campus Life

Housing options:
Coed Housing
Fraternity/Sorority Housing
Apartments For Single Students
Special Housing For Disabled Students
Activities:
Choral Groups
Dance
Film Society
International Students
Literary Magazine
Music Ensembles
Radio Station
Student Government
Symphony Orchestra
Concert Band
Drama
Fraternities
Jazz Band
Model U.N.
Musical Theater
Sororities
Student Newspaper
Yearbook

Fun Facts

  • Ranked #17, Most Popular Study Abroad Program
  • Notable Dickinson alumni include U.S. Representative Bill Shuster (Pa.) and New York Times reporter Jennifer Haigh.
  • Forbes Magazine calls Carlisle, PA "very livable and family-friendly."
 

Admissions Information

With an annual acceptance rate hovering just above 40%, Dickinson is among the most competitive specifically-Liberal Arts colleges in the country. Moreover, the school actively seeks students who both value and possess a well-rounded base of knowledge. Most generally, Dickinson wishes to learn about the person behind the applicant, so a diligent prospective student will be sure to assert his or her personality throughout the application.

According to admissions officials, the most important factors considered include an applicant's extracurricular activities, demonstrated talents, volunteer work, and GPA. Secondary to these considerations, but still of some importance, are factors such as an applicant's alumni relation, class rank, recommendations, and (if submitted) standardized test scores.

Admissions address: P.O. Box 1773
Carlisle, PA 17013-2896
United States
 
Phone number: (800) 644-1773  
Fax number: (717) 245-1442  
Admissions Website: http://dickinson.edu/admissions/  
Email: admit@dickinson.edu  
Contact Person: Stephanie Balmer, VP for Enrollment and Communications and Dean of Admissions  
Number of first-year applications received: 5,033  
Percent of applicants admitted: 48%  

Application Information

Regular application deadline: February 1  
Early decision/action deadline: November 15 (Early Decision); December 1 (Early Action)  
Accepts the Common Application? Yes  
Admission requirements: 1 Academic Teacher Evaluation
School Report/Mid Year Report/Final Report
If Applicable: Early Decision Agreement
 

Application Information

Standardized test scores required? None Required-Submission is Optional
If submitting: SAT or ACT with writing
 
Policy regarding SAT score-use: If submitted, considers the highest section scores across all test dates  
 
Middle 50% Scores

Low


Average


High
% Who Submitted Scores
SAT Critical Reading
600
640
680
58%
SAT Math
600
650
690
58%
SAT Writing
590
640
690
58%
ACT Composite
26
28
30
21%

 
College Board code: 2186  
ACT code: 3550  
Learn more about other Small Pennsylvania schools:
Franklin and Marshall   Haverford   Swarthmore  

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