First-Year Experience

Your journey as a Dickinsonian begins with a dynamic and supportive First-Year experience designed to help you thrive academically, socially and personally.

From Orientation and New Student Advising to the intellectually engaging First-Year Seminar, every component is crafted to build a strong foundation for success. Through campus involvement and the Dickinson Four framework, you’ll discover opportunities to connect, explore, and grow—both inside and outside the classroom. Together, these experiences ensure that your first year is not only a transition but a launchpad for your entire college career.

The following commitments guide and are actively supported by Dickinson College in the First-Year Experience:

Curiosity

Dickinson is committed to fostering a culture of curiosity by creating opportunities for students to embrace uncertainty and ask questions. Through engagement with diverse perspectives, compelling ideas and new experiences in and out of the classroom, first-year (FY) students will cultivate habits of mind that lead to an evolving sense of self and a path that is uniquely their own.

Community

Dickinson actively works to ensure FY students are seen, valued and connected as new members of our community. We provide structures and resources that encourage students to take accountability for supporting, collaborating with and uplifting others. Through these efforts, students will foster meaningful relationships that allow them to take risks responsibly and contribute to the greater good.

Thriving

Dickinson is dedicated to helping students find joy, celebrating milestones and building resilience. The first year of college should be about thriving rather than surviving the transition. We design experiences—through play, fulfillment or challenge—that enable students to thrive and develop the skills needed for lifelong success through classroom and out of class experiences.

Before You Arrive

Between now and your arrival on campus, there are some things to complete and some information to review. We will also send you an email each week highlighting Three Things to know or do that week to best prepare you for your first semester.

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Orientation

Dickinson's Orientation program for new students is designed to facilitate your integration into the unfamiliar academic and residential setting that is college life. Through Orientation we invite you to learn about the experiences, opportunities and community that Dickinson has to offer.

First-Year Seminar

As a first-year student at Dickinson, your very first college class will be your First-Year Seminar (FYS). FYS is designed to help you make the transition from high school to college-level academic expectations.

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New Student Advising

Explore resources that will guide you through academic advising and course selection. Growth in confidence (and having fun!) as you explore your emerging intellectual interests are part of the academic advising experience. Start with the main page, which outlines the goals of new-student advising, key milestones and contact details for support. Affiliated pages include an FAQ and step-by-step video tutorials.

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Dickinson Four

The Dickinson Four is about challenging yourself. It’s about seeking what you want your experience to be, rather than waiting for it to be handed to you. It’s about reflecting on your learning as you go. It’s about making the most out of your four years in and out of the classroom. It's about being able to confidently identify and explain your "why" to the wider world.

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Living on Campus

Dickinson offers a variety of general and special-interest residential options, including traditional residence halls, houses and apartments, themed areas and community-based housing. Wherever you reside, putting your own special stamp on the space is what makes it home.

Strengths at Dickinson

Using Gallup’s CliftonStrengths framework, students gain a common language to explore their identities, build community and thrive during their first year and beyond.

Audience Links

International Students

Transfer Students

Families