There are many ways to make a Dickinson education possible. Whether you are considering early admission, pursuing unique opportunities prior to enrollment or exploring part-time coursework, we are here to support you in your planning.
Community College Partnership Program
Recognizing that the path to a four-year degree can be blazed not only from high school, Dickinson has established a Community College Partnership Program that is active, coordinated and structured and goes well beyond the passive articulation agreements found between most community and four-year colleges. Dickinson’s collaboration allows students to reduce tuition costs by attending one of our region’s five top community colleges during their first two years. While there, they participate in a special honors program, receive academic advising from Dickinson faculty members and maintain a minimum of a 3.25 GPA. The students then transfer to Dickinson for their final two years. To kick off this initiative, Dickinson has partnered with two community colleges in Maryland—Howard Community College and Montgomery College—and two in Pennsylvania—Montgomery County Community College and Northampton Community College.
Dickinson's Community College Partnership Program was highlighted in the Washington Post in a 2009 article, "The Best and the Brightest Take a Detour" that discusses how recession-wary honor students are using community college as door to elite schools.
Learn more about the Community College Partnership Program or apply to Dickinson as a transfer student.
Dickinson College/Global Citizen Year Partnership
Dickinson collaborates with Global Citizen Year to offer a gap semester in South Africa called Take Action Lab. Students join a diverse cohort of talented peers from around the world, immerse in a new culture and apprentice with experienced changemakers addressing global challenges. Students learn how to tackle global issues from the ground up by working alongside local leaders advancing human rights, sustainability, food justice, youth empowerment and more. With Take Action Lab, students expand their awareness of both global issues and their own sense of purpose, ultimately fueling a future of positive impact.
If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please consult Global Citizen Year’s admissions page for application materials and upcoming deadlines. If you indicate on your application that you are also planning to attend Dickinson, Global Citizen Year will prioritize your application and consider you for their available pool of need-based financial aid and merit scholarships.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Dickinson's historic mission of educating engaged citizens and leaders has driven participation in a government program allowing post-9/11 United States veterans—and in some cases, their dependents—to enroll with significantly reduced tuition. Dickinson is one of more than 1,000 colleges and universities participating in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program. This federal effort allows qualifying students to pay no more for their Dickinson tuition than the maximum in-state fees at a state school. They may also receive a stipend for books and supplies. This initiative opens new doors for veterans and provides them with unprecedented access to higher education.
Learn more about the Yellow Ribbon Program or apply to Dickinson.
Nontraditional Students
Nontraditional students wishing to pursue courses at the college for personal enrichment or who do not want these courses to count toward a degree at Dickinson College may apply for permission to take a course on a space available basis. Courses may be taken for credit or non-credit (audit). For additional information, contact the Registrar’s Office at reg@dickinson.edu or 717-245-1315.
