The Native American Fly-In Program is an opportunity for some of the most promising and talented students in the country, who have a particular interest in Native community and/or Native American Studies, to experience Dartmouth. Participants are selected on the basis of academic achievement and scholarship, personal character and accomplishment, potential for future excellence and leadership.
Once on campus, students will visit classes, meet current undergraduates, interact with faculty and administrators, engage our Native community, attend workshops on the admissions and financial aid process, and increase their familiarity with Dartmouth’s resources and the many opportunities for personal enrichment.
Native American Fly-In 2013
Dartmouth Native American Fly-In Application
Dartmouth Native American Fly-In Recommendation Form
2013 Program Overview
Sunday
Arrival & Registration
Dinner with Dartmouth hosts and mentors
Monday
Welcome Breakfast
Campus Tours
Class Visits
Dartmouth Plan Showcase
Native Students’ Experiences Forum
Native Americans at Dartmouth Community Dinner
Tuesday
Breakfast & Admissions Case Studies Workshop
Thayer School of Engineering Information Session
The First-Year Experience
Financial Aid Workshop
Honoring Dinner
Wednesday
Departures
Program Highlights
Participants will be greeted by members of the admissions staff and their hosts and mentors, current Dartmouth students (some of whom are past Fly-In participants) who will offer their perspectives on Dartmouth and advice about navigating the college search and admissions process.
The Dartmouth Plan is our distinctive calendar system. The flexibility of our schedule allows students incredible opportunities to pursue internships, research, and off-campus study. Current students will provide you with the basics and share their experiences to help you understand the possibilities.
Tours include an orientation of the Dartmouth campus and facilities, as well as specific areas of interest, including the Thayer School of Engineering.
The Native Students’ Experience Forum is an opportunity for program participants to get an unedited view of life at the College from the perspective of Native students. A cross-section of students and leaders from the Native community will join us for an hour to answer questions and relate their own experiences at Dartmouth and beyond. Program participants should come ready to discuss and ask about everything from academics to social life to extracurricular and cultural involvement.
The Native Americans at Dartmouth (NAD) Community Dinner, held at the Native American House, is an opportunity for the entire Native community (students, faculty and staff) to come together over a meal, introduce themselves, welcome prospective students, and informally share their experiences.
Admissions advising and case studies are a hallmark of our program. Our admissions officers will walk participants through our holistic, individualized review process and provide tips for completing college applications. Participants will also have the chance to review real applicants to the College as part of a mock admissions committee exercise.
The First-Year Experience provides insight into the transition to College and an overview of some of the programs and resources available to our students.
Financial Aid makes the Dartmouth experience possible for all students, regardless of their family finances. Our financial aid officers will provide an overview of how financial aid works at Dartmouth and answer questions.
The closing dinner is a chance for participants, mentors, admissions staff, and faculty to gather and reflect on the program’s events and discussions. Check back for the announcement of the 2013 keynote speaker.
History of Dartmouth’s Commitment to Native Education
Dartmouth’s historical commitment to Indian education dates back to the very beginning of the College itself. In 1769, the Reverend Eleazar Wheelock and the Reverend Samson Occom, a Mohegan, founded Dartmouth College. On the event of the founding, Dartmouth’s charter directed that Dartmouth College exist, “for the education and instruction of youth of the Indian tribes in this land… English Youth, and any others.”
In 1970, John G. Kemeny, Dartmouth’s 13th president, pledged to redress the historical lack of opportunities for Native Americans in higher education during his inaugural address to the students, faculty, trustees and alumni. ‘The Recommitment,’ as it is often referred, not only held Dartmouth to a higher standard than its peers, but also established the Native American Program, laid the groundwork for the Native American Studies department, and directed the Admissions Office to begin actively recruiting Native students for the first time since the founding.
In the 40 years since President Kemeny’s historical address, Dartmouth’s commitment to Indian education has remained strong. In this brief time, over 700 Native Americans and Alaskan Natives representing over 200 different tribes have attended Dartmouth, more than at all other Ivy League institutions combined. Native American Studies, an academic program open to all Dartmouth students, provides opportunities to explore historical experiences, cultural traditions and innovations, and political status of Indian peoples in the United States and Canada through interdisciplinary teaching and research.
Since its conception over 25 years ago, Dartmouth’s Native American Fly-in Program has brought hundreds of prospective students from all corners of the country to visit Hanover and see Dartmouth College first-hand. We welcome students of all backgrounds with a demonstrated interest in Native community and/or Native American Studies to apply to the program.
Learn More
Native American Program at Dartmouth
Native American Studies Department