**Response to COVID-19 - Information for 2021 Admissions Cycle**
Interviews – Interviews will take place virtually for the entire 2020-21 Admissions Cycle.
Letters of Evaluation – If the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the committee letter writing process at your school, please know that Geisel’s letters of recommendation policy allows for individual letters of recommendation to be submitted in lieu of a committee letter. Please note that we require a minimum of 3 letters; a maximum of 5 letters will be considered. We will read the first 5 letters received by AMCAS.
MCAT – We are continuously monitoring information from the AAMC and Pearson VUE. As of 7/23/20, due to rising rates of COVID-19 across the United States, we will consider waiving the MCAT requirement for first time test takers on a case by case basis for reasons of hardship. Such circumstances might include: personal and family safety due to COVID in your area, and accessibility (for example: multiple cancellations, inability to obtain needed accommodations, distance of available sites and ensuing costs). If you are experiencing any of these challenges or others related to taking the MCAT, please reach out to us for consideration. You may contact us at: Geisel.Admissions@dartmouth.edu.
Online Coursework and Labs - Because many colleges and universities have moved to online/virtual formats this spring, summer and fall of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will accept online coursework and labs as long as they are from an accredited institution. This includes prerequisite courses.
Pass/Fail Coursework - Because many colleges and universities have moved to online/virtual formats this spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic and may also be grading courses on a pass/fail or credit/no credit basis, we want to reassure you that we will accept credit as reported from your school for spring, summer and fall 2020 courses. This includes prerequisite courses.
FAQs
REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
Do I have to finish my prerequisite course before applying?
No, your prerequisite courses do not all have to be complete at the time of application. They do need to be completed by the time you matriculate at Geisel.
Can I fulfill a prerequisite with an online or community college course?
Our Admissions Committee prefers that the majority of prerequisite courses be taken in a classroom setting, but an online course may be used to meet Geisel prerequisite requirements if the program is properly accredited in the US or Canada. If you have a question about whether a particular course would count, you can email us a course syllabus for review.
We do accept prerequisite courses taken at community colleges.
Can AP courses count towards my prerequisites?
AP credit that appears on an official college/university transcript can be used toward fulfillment of the premedical requirements.
Can classes taken outside of the US or Canada count towards my prerequisites?
Classes taken outside the US or Canada can count towards the prerequisite requirements. AMCAS will not verify and report them, however, which means that you will need to provide us with an official evaluation from an educational credentialing service for each course.
Can audited or pass/fail classes count towards prerequisites?
No, all prerequisite courses must be taken for credit.
Do I have to take the MCAT?
Yes. All applicants are expected to present MCAT scores as part of their application. The MCAT must have been taken within the last 3 calendar years.
I have taken the MCAT more than once. How do you view multiple scores?
We consider your most recent test most closely, but will also look at your other scores.
What is the average GPA and MCAT of your entering class?
Our average GPA is 3.66 and average MCAT is 514.
APPLYING TO GEISEL
Does Geisel participate in the AMCAS Early Decision Program?
No, Geisel does not participate in the AMCAS Early Decision Program.
Do you accept transfer students?
No, due to our small class size (92), we are not able to accept transfer students.
What are your deadlines for applying?
Geisel’s deadline for submitting an application through AMCAS is November 1. Geisel’s secondary application deadline is December 1.
Do you extend your deadlines?
No, out of fairness to all applicants, we do not extend our admissions deadlines.
How may I obtain a secondary application?
When you initiate your application with AMCAS, they will provide us with your preliminary information that includes your e-mail address. We will then send instructions for accessing our online secondary application to all applicants with an MCAT score of 503 or higher. You can make the choice whether to submit your secondary before or after your AMCAS application is verified. Please remember that if you withdraw from AMCAS or fail to be verified by the deadline, our secondary application fee is non-refundable.
How can I find out if my application is complete or still missing items?
You will be able to check this via Geisel’s secure online application portal.
How does the Admissions Office communicate with applicants?
For current applicants, we will communicate by email through the online application portal. It is very important to keep your “preferred” email address current in AMCAS. Prospective applicants may contact us at Geisel.admissions@dartmouth.edu or at 603-650-1505.
How do I change my name/address on my application?
Log into your AMCAS application and make the changes. AMCAS will notify us and update our system. Always remember to re-certify and re-submit when making changes in AMCAS.
I made a mistake on my secondary application. Can I change the error after I submitted it?
If you make a mistake on your secondary, please contact the Admissions Office.
Can I send updates? What is the best way to do this?
On your status page in online portal, there is a Documents Upload option. This can be used to send updates.
How many letters of recommendation can I submit?
The maximum number of letters we will review and that may be uploaded is 5. We require a composite recommendation from your school's premedical committee or a packet containing a minimum of 3 individual letters from your school. If your school has no premedical committee, a minimum of 3 individual letters is required. These letters may be from faculty, supervisors, employers, and other colleagues who know you well. If you are in graduate school, a letter from your thesis advisor is recommended. Please submit all letters through AMCAS using one of their acceptable forms of receipt. We will read the first 5 letters received by AMCAS.
What dual and joint degree programs are available?
We offer the following joint degree programs: MD/PhD; MD/MPH; MD/MBA; and MD/MS Engineering. Please consult the Admissions Requirements page for more details.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
Does Geisel accept applications from international students?
At Geisel we admit and enroll international students. They are an important part of the diversity of our student body. Any student who meets the premedical requirements (which include three years of post-secondary study at US and/or Canadian colleges/universities) is eligible to apply for admission. International applicants will be considered from the same pool as US citizens, Permanent Residents and DACA applicants.
Are international students eligible for financial aid?
International students are eligible to apply for need-based financial institutional scholarships and loans. More information can be found at the financial aid website.
Do you consider applications from students who are eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status (DACA)?
Yes, we consider DACA-eligible candidates in the same pool as all other candidates. If admitted, DACA-eligible students are eligible to apply for need-based financial institutional scholarships and loans.
AFTER YOU APPLY
How do I find out my status after my application is complete, and when will I know your decision?
Geisel does not track your status. Once your file is complete, it will be forwarded to the Committee for review. You will hear from us via the online application portal once the Committee has made a decision on your file. Due to the large number of applications and the care taken in the reading of each file, our review process at Geisel can be lengthy one.
What is your interview season, and on what days do you conduct interviews?
Our interview season beings in September and continues through March. Interviews take place on Thursdays by invitation only and will be conducted virtually for the 2020-21 admissions cycle.
What can I expect on my interview day?
The interview day is designed for us to get to know you, and for you to get to know us at Geisel. The day begins with a welcome from the Associate Dean of Admissions. This is followed by an information session with the admissions and financial aid team followed by a 20 minute group exercise. In the afternoon, you will have two thirty-minute interviews conducted by members of our admissions committee and the day will end with brief closing remarks from our Associate Dean. Opportunities to connect with our current students will occur separately from the scheduled interview day.
