About

See what students say:

Academics

Founded just days after the conclusion of the American Revolution by a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Dickinson College was born with the mission of preparing young people to be active and engaged leaders in society via a "global, sustainable, and pragmatic liberal arts education." This Pennsylvania college's serious focus on global engagement and service seeps into every crevice of its "outstanding," interdisciplinary academics, and it has a support system and "infinite amount of resources and facilities" on offer. For instance, there is "a makery for students to use containing craft supplies and a media center" available to all. There are "ample opportunities to keep your mind engaged" (many study abroad at some point), and Dickinson gives students incredible freedom to study under different disciplines. Even students with a focus on one specific major "are able and required to experience classes in other academic areas." Professors at Dickinson are "incredibly accessible and eager to reach out," and "all have very impressive credentials and connections." They "help students see things from various perspectives and not just their own" and encourage students to keep an open mind. Every course is "elaborately prepared by the department" and deans and advisors are helpful when trying to figure out a major. There's no easy ride at Dickinson; faculty "expect a lot from you, [and] outside work can be 1 to 3 hours per class per day." The school encourages students to be educated in all fields of study, and Dickinson students "are always seeking a new answer, discovery, or understanding in every field." A tight 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a wide course selection help make students diverse in background and interests, which can "many times overlap in seemingly opposite majors."

Student Body

This is an "interesting bunch for sure." "We have people who are ardent defenders of social justice, people concerned with community service, artists, musicians, as well as people who can speak six languages...[or] who came to Dickinson from Carlisle itself." Although the student body "isn't the most diverse" from an ethnic standpoint, everyone here "seems to have an open mind and heart" and is "friendly and involved." "Students' voices are heard" here, and "everyone feels welcome" in this "safe and trustworthy community," which also has a fair number of international students. There is also "a strong activist strain" among Dickinson students, and "most people on campus are very attuned to issues of class, race, sexual orientation, gender, and many other identities."

Campus Life

Although a small school, students here are involved in the many different available extracurricular organizations, and "most take leadership roles in at least one if not several." They "take their schoolwork seriously, but they take their other roles at least equally as seriously." Many people have jobs on campus, and "when the weather is nice, most students are outside." The college's student activities board, MOB, is the largest organizer of events, which range "from foodto musicto entertainment-related," and the Clarke Forum regularly brings in guest speakers who talk on a variety of topics. Dickinson's food "is not great," but it does a good job of making sure there are kosher and vegan options at meals, and the town has great restaurants and shops. The weekend party scene is "very inclusive and energetic," but "it's definitely possible to enjoy oneself without drinking." Carlisle, the small town that surrounds the school, "has enough to do that you will be entertained." The local movie theater is a popular attraction (especially for the $6 matinees on Saturday and Sunday afternoons) and during the spring, students also attend Harrisburg Senators games, the local minor-league affiliate of the Washington Nationals.

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Michelle Fisher
Visit Programs and Services Manager

Address
Waidner Admissions House - P.O. Box 1773
Carlisle, PA 17013-2896

Phone
800-644-1773

Email
admissions@dickinson.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Old West, designed by Benjamin Latrobe
Holland Union Building
Waidner Spahr Library/Biblio Cafe
Kline Athletic Center
Rector Science Complex
The Quarry (student social space), Durden Athletic Training Center, Weiss Center for the Arts, Trout Gallery, Morgan Field, Goodyear Art Studios and Gallery, Greenhouse & Center for Sustainable Living, Mermaid Trellis, and Biddle Field

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Historic Downtown Carlisle: shopping & dining
Appalachian Trail
Whitaker Center for the Arts (with IMAX)
Hersheypark, Hershey Stadium, Giant Center, and Chocolate World
City Island and State Capitol Complex
Dickinson Certified Organic Farm, Carlisle Theatre, Midtown Scholar Book Store, Midtown Cinema, U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center, and The Shoppes at Susquehanna

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
Monday-Friday; selected Saturdays and Sundays
8:30 am- 4:30 pm (Monday-Friday)
800-644-1773

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
Yes

Information Sessions
Available

Times
10:15 a.m. weekdays, including some weekends

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Coach Directly

Advance Notice
1 week

Contact Email Address for Visit
admissions@dickinson.edu

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Limitations
Select days in March-April for Accepted Students

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) is approx. 30 miles from campus. Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) is 1.5 hours from campus. Taxis and airport limousines are available for the trip from the airport to campus. Nearby Harrisburg is also served by Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses. Capitol Trailways offers bus service from New York City to Dickinson?s campus. Public transportation available throughout the Capitol Region.

Driving Instructions to Campus
GPS address: 272 West High Street Carlisle, PA 17013 (parking located behind admissions office) From the Pennsylvania Tpke. (I-76), take Exit 226 (Carlisle). Take the right ramp to Rte. 11 S. Follow Rte. 11 S. into downtown Carlisle (approximately 3 miles). Turn right at the intersection of Hanover and High Streets. The Waidner Admission House is less than a half mile on the left at the corner of West High (Rte. 11) and South College Streets, with parking on the east side of the building. From I-81 Northbound, use exit 47 (Hanover Street), turn left at traffic light; then turn left at the downtown intersection of Hanover and High Streets. From I-81 Southbound, use exit 49 (High Street). Turn right at the yield sign (Rte. 641). As you come into downtown Carlisle, you will be on High Street. The Waidner Admission House is less than a half mile on the left at the corner of West High (Rte. 11) and South College Streets, with parking on the east side of the building.

Local Accommodations
$100-$125: Comfort Suites Downtown, Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriot, Holiday Inn Express, $135-225: Allenberry Resort, Fallen Tree Farms B&B $175-$250: Carlisle House B&B $250-$300: Smith Steiner House

Admissions

Applicants: 8,229
Acceptance Rate: 34%






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