The D-Plan is one of the most distinctive features of a Dartmouth education. If you're considering Dartmouth, understanding how it works — and how to use it well — is essential.
The Basics of Dartmouth's Quarter System
Dartmouth divides the academic year into four 10-week terms: fall (September–November), winter (January–March), spring (March–June), and summer (June–August). Students typically enroll in three terms per year and take one term as an "off term." Because the terms are shorter than a typical semester, Dartmouth courses move quickly — there's less time between exams and assignments, and the pace is intense.
Required Terms on Campus
All Dartmouth students must be on campus for freshman fall (your first term) and sophomore summer. Sophomore summer is legendary — it's the one term when the entire sophomore class is on campus together without seniors (who have graduated) or many other upperclassmen. The result is an unusually tight-knit, community-focused experience that Dartmouth students consistently describe as one of their favorite memories.
How Students Use Off-Campus Terms
The D-Plan's off-campus terms are where much of Dartmouth's career-building happens. Students use them for: internships at companies and organizations across the country and world, research fellowships, study abroad programs, or personal projects. Because you can schedule an off term in any of the four seasons, you can intern during a fall or spring semester when other students are in class — giving you access to opportunities that aren't just limited to the summer competition window.
Planning Your D-Plan
The D-Plan requires advance planning, especially around which terms you'll take off and how that affects your course sequencing for your major. Dartmouth provides D-Plan planning resources and advisers, and most students figure out their four-year plan in the first year. The planning process is itself a useful exercise in thinking about your priorities.