- Do I need to take the Math Placement Exam?
- Do I need to take a Language Placement Exam?
- When do I register for classes?
- When should I buy my books?
- What do I do if my attempts to enter the forms section of the 2008 website are unsuccessful?
- When do I move-in?
- How should I dress for Orientation?
- Who are OAs?
- When will I find out who my roommate is?
- How is a typical residence hall room furnished?
- When should I sign-up for a meal plan?
- What is my mailing address?
- Do I need to purchase the health insurance coverage offered by the college?
1) Do I need to take the Math Placement Exam?
All students are required to complete a Quantitative Reasoning Course at Dickinson. If you believe that you may want to take a Calculus course to fulfill this requirement, you must take this test to determine your appropriate placement. Students WILL NOT be able to register for Calculus courses without taking the Placement exam or AP credit. Please note there are many options besides Calculus to meet the Quantitative Reasoning requirement. More detailed information about the math placement exam can be found in the booklet of information that you received in mid May.
2) Do I need to take a Language Placement Exam?
Dickinson College requires students to demonstrate that they have completed work in a foreign language through the intermediate level. If you have studied a foreign language in the past and plan to continue with the study of that language, this exam will determine your appropriate placement. Spanish, French and German exams should be competed on-line by July 1 and may be accessed through Gateway. Placement exams for other languages are scheduled based on the results on the Language Background Form you will submit through Gateway by July 1st. More detailed information about the language placement exams can be found in the booklet of information that you received in early May.
3) When do I register for classes?
You will receive advising and course selection information in the May mailing. Academic Advising will happen by phone from July 13th-17th. Online course selection will take place July 20th-27th. Please note: YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE COURSE SELECTIONS UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR ADVISING APPOINTMEN. DETAILS ABOUT YOUR CALL-IN TIME WILL BE POSTED ON GATEWAY.
4) When should I buy my books?
You can purchase your books during Orientation or during the first week of classes.
5) What do I do if my attempts to enter the forms section of the Gateway website are unsuccessful?
First, verify that you are using the correct user id and password. Your user id is your email address without the @dickinson.edu. and your password was provided in the letter which came with your May mailing packet. If you have verified that you are using the correct information and you still have difficulty logging on, you can contact the Dickinson Technology Help Desk at (717) 245-1000 or at helpdesk@dickinson.edu.
6) When do I move-in?
The general move-in day for new students will Wednesday, August 26th between 8-11 a.m. You will report to your assigned residence halls to check in. Your housing assignment will be sent to you by mid-July. There will be a late check in available from 12-4p.m. in the Campus Life Office in the lower level of the HUB.
7) How should I dress for Orientation?
In general, Orientation is very casual and you should dress comfortably. On the evening of the Red and White Banquet, students are asked to dress in business casual attire.
8) Who are the Orientation Assistants (OAs)?
Orientation Assistants or OAs are upper-class students who have been selected to lead and mentor a small group of incoming students during orientation activities. You will meet with your OA and your orientation group several times during orientation. Your OA will be contacting you over the summer to introduce him/herself. We will also provide you with your OA’s email address so that you can contact him or her.
9) When will I find out who my roommate is?
Your room assignment and your roommate information will be emailed to you in the late June/early July. Contact information for your roommate will be provided to you at that time, and we encourage you to contact your roommate over the summer to begin the process of getting to know each other and to coordinate who will bring specific items. You should also discuss how you will share expenses such as room carpeting, and/or a microfridge. You will receive information in July on ordering carpet and microfridges.
10) How is a typical residence hall room furnished?
Residence hall rooms are furnished with a bed (extra long twin mattress), a desk, and a dresser for each student in the room. Each room also has closets or wardrobes and a bookshelf. One internet connection per student and a telephone and cable connection per room are standard. Suggested items to bring can be found at: http://orientation.dickinson.edu/campuslife.cfm#bring.
11) When should I sign-up for a meal plan?
All incoming students are automatically enrolled in the Traditional Plan unless they indicate otherwise. This plan offers 19 meals a week which includes 3 meals a day on weekdays and brunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. We recommend that all freshmen participate in the Traditional Plan during their first year. Information on all meal plan options is located at http://orientation.dickinson.edu/campusLife.cfm#dining, and you will receive additional information in late July from the Department of Dining Services.
12) What is my mailing address?
HUB Boxes are assigned to students over the summer, and your HUB address will be sent to you in late July.
13) Do I need to purchase the health insurance coverage offered by the college?
All full-time matriculating students attending Dickinson College must enroll in or waive out of the insurance coverage offered by the College. Students who wish to waive out of the coverage must be U.S. Citizens and provide proof of comparable private coverage. All full-time matriculating students who are NOT U.S. citizens will be automatically enrolled and charged for this insurance coverage. For further information please visit this website: http://www.dickinson.edu/departments/finops/healthinsurance.html .