Organizer Information
Dartmouth College is a private liberal arts institution in Hanover, New Hampshire, founded in 1769. Its academic structure includes the School of Arts and Sciences, the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, and professional schools. Creative and cultural study is available through departments and programs including Art History, Film and Media Studies, Studio Art, Music, Theater, and the MFA in Sonic Practice. Dartmouth's official admissions portal covers both undergraduate and graduate study.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Dartmouth College
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Doctoral / Professional
- Degrees Offered: BA, MA, MS, MFA, PhD, and professional degrees
- Academic Fields: Art History, Film & Media Studies, Studio Art, Music, Theater, Liberal Studies, Sonic Practice
- Relevant Programs: Art History (BA); Film and Media Studies (BA); Studio Art (BA); Music (BA); Theater (BA); Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS); Master of Fine Arts in Sonic Practice
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Undergraduate applications open 1 August; Fall 2027 graduate applications open in September 2026
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate Early Decision — 1 November 2026; Regular Decision — 1 January 2027; graduate deadlines vary by program
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
- Application Fee: $85 first-year undergraduate; $90 transfer; $150 Guarini graduate programs
- Tuition: Undergraduate $71,697 for 2026–2027; Guarini tuition varies by program
- Funding: Need-based financial aid for undergraduates; competitive graduate funding for specified Guarini programs
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Dartmouth's School of Arts and Sciences includes more than 40 departments and interdisciplinary programs. Creative disciplines directly relevant to artists, filmmakers and cultural researchers include Art History, Film and Media Studies, Studio Art, Music, and Theater.
- The Film and Media Studies major combines film and media history, theory, criticism, and production. Students can pursue areas including filmmaking, Animation, screenwriting, videomaking, directing, digital culture, television, and game design.
- Studio Art provides undergraduate study in studio-based Visual Arts. The Film and Media Studies department also permits modified majors combining the field with another discipline, subject to departmental approval.
- At the graduate level, the Guarini School lists the MFA in Sonic Practice and the MALS among its master's programs. The MALS offers interdisciplinary study including a Cultural Studies track and an optional Creative Writing concentration.
General Eligibility
- Dartmouth accepts both domestic and international applicants. Undergraduate applicants apply to Dartmouth rather than directly to a specific major and normally declare a major during their sophomore year.
- Graduate eligibility is program-specific. Guarini states that graduate programs seek applicants whose academic backgrounds and personal or professional experiences prepare them for graduate study. Individual programs establish their own prerequisites and deadlines.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate applicants enter through Dartmouth's first-year or transfer admission process. Graduate applicants must satisfy the academic requirements established by their chosen program. For MALS, applicants submit undergraduate-level academic records as part of the application.
- The MALS application accepts applicants with a bachelor's degree or equivalent. International applicants whose undergraduate degree was not taught primarily in English must satisfy the program's English-proficiency requirements unless an applicable exemption applies.
Language Requirements
- For applicable international undergraduate applicants, Dartmouth requires an accepted English-proficiency examination when English is not the applicant's first language and the applicant has not completed at least two years of secondary education taught in English. Accepted tests include TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, and Cambridge English. Dartmouth does not establish a minimum score for undergraduate applicants.
- For Guarini graduate programs, Dartmouth recommends TOEFL 100 or higher, IELTS 7 or higher, or Duolingo 135 or higher. Individual programs may establish additional requirements or waivers.
Application Fee
| Applicant / Study Level | Application Fee | Fee Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| First-year undergraduate | $85 | Available to eligible applicants experiencing unusual financial hardship |
| Transfer undergraduate | $90 | Available to eligible applicants |
| Guarini graduate programs | $150 | Available under specified Guarini waiver criteria |
Undergraduate application fees are non-refundable. Guarini graduate application fees are also non-refundable, and applicants must receive an approved waiver before submitting without payment.
Tuition
| Study Level / Program | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | All applicants | $71,697 | 3 terms / academic year | $2,426 fees; health insurance $5,216 unless comparable coverage is certified |
| Guarini graduate programs | Program-specific | $23,899 per term / $95,596 for 4 terms | Quarterly | Health Access Fee, Student Life Fee and, where applicable, International Student Fee |
| MALS — full-time | Graduate | $16,729.30 per term | Quarterly | Health Access Fee, Student Life Fee and applicable international fee |
| MALS — part-time | Graduate | $9,559.60 per term | Quarterly | Student Life Fee and other applicable charges |
The undergraduate 2026–2027 cost-of-attendance page identifies tuition separately from housing, food and other expenses. Guarini's 2026–2027 rates are program-specific.
Funding & Financial Support
- Dartmouth's need-blind undergraduate admissions policy applies to international applicants, and the College states that it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students regardless of citizenship. International students can receive Dartmouth scholarships and loans.
- Guarini provides a competitive funding package for PhD students and students in Comparative Literature MA, Earth Sciences MS, and Sonic Practice MFA programs. The 2026–2027 package includes tuition, health insurance, a $49,862.40 annual stipend, and a relocation bonus. Other graduate programs may provide more limited assistance.
University Services & Academic Support
- Dartmouth provides interdisciplinary academic and research resources through more than 40 departments and programs and more than 75 centers and institutes. Relevant arts resources include the Hood Museum of Art and the Hopkins Center for the Arts.
- Film and Media Studies provides major advising, production coursework, a culminating project requirement, and a Los Angeles Domestic Study Program involving internships, courses, and industry events.
Application Requirements
- Undergraduate first-year applicants use the Common Application and submit the Dartmouth Writing Supplement, secondary-school materials, teacher evaluations, standardized testing as required under Dartmouth's current policy, and the application fee or an approved waiver.
- Portfolio: Optional for first-year applicants who wish to demonstrate exceptional ability in fine or performing arts. Dartmouth accepts fine-art materials, recordings, performance videos, and other visual materials.
- Graduate requirements are program-specific. Guarini's general application requires three recommendation letters, while individual programs may require additional materials. MALS requires transcripts, a résumé/CV, three recommendation letters, and a program supplement; a creative writing sample is optional for applicants to its Creative Writing concentration.
How to Apply?
- Undergraduate Application Portal: Dartmouth Undergraduate Application
- Graduate Application Portal: Guarini School Graduate Application
Deadline & Timeline
- Undergraduate Application Opens: 1 August 2026
- Early Decision Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Decision Admission Notification: Mid December 202
- Regular Decision Application Deadline: 1 January 2027
- Financial Aid Application Deadline: 1 February 2027
- Regular Decision Admission Notification: Late March or early April 2027
- Intent to Enroll Deadline: 1 May 2027
- Graduate Application Opens for Fall 2027: September 2026
- Graduate Application Deadlines: Program-specific
Location
Dartmouth College — Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
Additional Details
Dartmouth's official admissions page covers both undergraduate and graduate education; therefore, the institution should not be treated as an undergraduate-only opportunity. The Degree Finder includes undergraduate majors as well as graduate programs.
The MFA in Sonic Practice is particularly relevant to artists and media practitioners, but Dartmouth states that it is not accepting applications for the 2027–2028 admissions cycle.
The Film and Media Studies major is an undergraduate liberal-arts program rather than a standalone professional MFA filmmaking degree. Its curriculum includes both analytical study and practical production courses such as documentary videomaking, filmmaking, screenwriting, animation, videomaking, and directing.