Admissions

Explore EVERYTHING. Join clubs you wouldn't usually join. Take weird classes that are outside of your comfort zone to fulfill graduation requirements. Get to know your professors. Explore the world though internships and study abroad opportunities. You can do it all at Dickinson, so why not do it all?

Visiting Dickinson is the best way to tell if it is the best college for you. Talking with students and asking questions about different internships and classes can really help you determine if you would fit in. Keep an open mind and don't automatically eliminate Dickinson because of its small size.

Put a lot of thought into your personal statement. It really does play a big factor in getting into the school. Don't write it like a regular school essay. Maybe make it almost a narrative.
Be willing to take advantage of study abroad. Most students do and it would be a shame to miss out on the great opportunity. It's a bit harder for science majors like myself, but still doable. In England and Australia we have programs specifically for science majors.
Put yourself out there. There are great opportunities that people will offer you to join in on right away, don't turn them down. Don't try to be too cool for floor events or campus activities. They're a great way to meet people and everyone goes, even upperclassmen because hey, there's usually food.

FILL OUT YOUR FAFSA! To address Dickinson, come in open-minded and do not be concerned with making friends off the bat. The orientation program is excellent and you will be taking classes and living with other students, so focus on school and the friends will follow. Also, don't be afraid to eat in the cafeteria alone or with complete strangers. I guarantee you that you will meet at least one interesting person that you otherwise would never have.

Go on an overnight. I host prospective students, and I really wish I would have done one before coming here. It really gives a prospective students a good day in the life feel for what Dickinson will be like, and it also offers a good opportunity to 1) stand out to admissions and 2) ask questions you may not have thought of before or were too embarrassed to ask in front of your parents.

Think of the one thing that is going to give you an edge. Also, establish a personal relationship with your professor. The more interested they are in you as a person, the more dedicated to your personal growth and academic achievement they will be.

The school is very inviting and as you walk the campus grounds, any student walking will be willing to answer your questions about the school. There are a wide variety of majors on campus but students always have directions or information to say on topics that don't relate to them. The campus overall is small but very inviting with the town's people walking around along with college students.

When you enter, don't expect to get too close to people too quickly. You will probably be hanging out with a group of students the first few days that you'll barely even speak to again. Different professors have vastly different expectations of the student body. Find one that is right for you and stick with him or her. Don't be afraid of a lower GPA than you anticipated, a lot could have factored into it.

Make sure you read, write, love learning and practice study strategies!

Go on a tour! Make sure you get to know yourself as well as the campus and philosophy before you make your final decision. It is a wonderful school but definitely is one with a particular philosophy that should be shared by you as a student.