The light grey limestone buildings of Dickinson College and the red Dickinson flags on lampposts connect the campus and give it a feel of oneness. Quarried locally, the limestone also gives a nod to the school’s commitment to sustainability.

Seth Allen, the vice president for enrollment, noted that Dickinson is a warm community, and faculty care about the students and the place.

The Carlisle advantage

Carlisle, PA, has lots of restaurants, shops, and green spaces for students and faculty to enjoy, and townies enjoy the campus as well. It is close to rivers, lakes, the Appalachian Trail, and Dickinson’s farm. Students tend to stay on campus for the weekend. Niche says Carlisle is one of the best and safest college towns in America. Foodies love the diverse selection of cuisines.

Academic excellence and personalized attention

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1, you can expect small classes at Dickinson. Faculty members teach all classes (no teacher assistants teaching) and also advise students. Students rave about the care their professors have shown, citing examples of their reaching out to connect them to research or to help them network.

Admissions and Financial Aid

At Dickinson, you’re admitted to the college, not a major. When applying, Early Decision can give you a slight edge; about 44% of the first-year class enters through ED. Dickinson will meet 100% of demonstrated need and offers a pre-read for need-based financial aid if you apply ED. Dickinson has been test optional since 1994 and has no plans to reinstate a testing requirement.

Maryland Student Opportunity: There’s a special scholarship in leadership for students from Maryland, “the Reynolds Leadership Scholar Program, a four-year, $200,000 scholarship (or $50,000 per year) specifically for high-achieving Maryland residents with leadership potential.”

Career development from Day One

Before you arrive as a freshman, the Advising, Internships & Career Center starts you on your path with academic advising and career development. The center provides career pathway advisers, new student advising, career exploration and networking, one-to-one faculty advising, mentoring, internships, and more. Dickinsonians have lifelong access to a strong alumni network and to the center’s professional development services.

This early focus on preparation leads to 95% of Dickinsonians being employed or in graduate school six months after graduation.

Experiential learning and global education

Experiential education at Dickinson College means research, internships, externships (shadowing), service learning or field experience, and 92% participate in at least one of those modes of experience. Study abroad is heavily emphasized and possible no matter your major, and over 60% do so. The signs on the pole indicate some of the places you can go to study abroad.

Academic flexibility

Dickinson is a true liberal arts and sciences college that encourages you to explore your interests before declaring your major. Generally, students declare their major at the end of sophomore year. All majors are under Dickinson College; they aren’t divided up among schools, so you won’t be stuck in a silo.

Curriculum

Distinctive Academic Programs

Majors of note:

• Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• International Business & Management, combining business, economics, management, foreign language, and culture
• Environmental Studies
• Geosciences
• Law & Policy
• Neuroscience
• Quantitative Economics

Special programs:

• Pre-Business Management
• Pre-Engineering (3 + 2 program with Columbia)
• Pre-Health
• Pre-Law (and a 3 + 3 law program with Penn State Dickinson Law)

In my opinion. . .

Though only 2200 undergraduates attend Dickinson College, it doesn’t feel small. Its expansive but manageable campus and broad majors provide fertile ground for developing minds. If you come to Dickinson, you will join a warm and caring community.