Parents, Guardians, and Families

While the Undergraduate Deans Office encourages students to take increasing responsibility for their Dartmouth experience, evidence tells us that students benefit from the continued support and involvement of their parents, guardians, and families. That is why our office prioritizes partnerships with families and welcomes communication by letter, phone, or email.

In addition to learning, profound growth, and life-changing experiences, college can also be a time of challenges and struggles. Please remember that The Counseling Center, dedicated to student mental health and well-being, can be an invaluable resource.

For those of you with a first-year student: Although the first term at Dartmouth is full of new experiences and adjustments, your student’s “transition” will continue as they journey through this coming year. Self-awareness, honest reflection, resilience, flexibility, and patience with themselves will continue to serve them well.

Dartmouth College values the privacy of its students and seeks to preserve the confidentiality of their education records. The college complies fully with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).

Learn more about FERPA.

• Talk to your student about any concerns you may have.
• The Undergraduate Deans can help you navigate these conversations.
• Use the resources on this site as you talk with your student, or talk to an Undergraduate Dean.
• One of the most common student mistakes is to wait until a problem or concern has progressed before seeking assistance.
• As you become aware of challenges facing your student, encourage them to speak with their Undergraduate Dean as soon as possible.

• Provides academic, personal, and social advising
• Serves as a resource for improving academic performance
• Provides information and explanation about the College and its procedures
• Provides support for students who have various kinds of concerns
• Provides encouragement and information for students pursuing a wide variety of opportunities, on-campus and off-campus
• Refers students to other College offices and resources
• Administrates academic regulations
• Your student can schedule individual appointments with their Undergraduate Dean to consult about many academic, personal, and social issues, including:
  • Selecting courses
  • Identifying and structuring a major
  • Maximizing the Dartmouth experience (academic and extracurricular)
  • Planning for off-campus study
  • Arranging for leave term opportunities
  • Applying to graduate programs or for fellowships and grants
  • Securing financial resources for off-campus opportunities
  • Creating social/student organizations and programs
  • Resolving personal and family encumbrances or hardships
  • Choosing a career