Sophomores

This year is the springboard for your academic career. For one, this is the year you choose your major. But more than that, many of the choices you make this year will shape the remainder of your academic experiences at Dartmouth: Will you write a thesis? Will you do an off-campus study program? How will you integrate your interest within your major with your electives? What kind of internships or industry-employment will your coursework allow?

For more information about navigating your sophomore year, please refer to the advising guide: The Sophomore Year. We created this guide to encourage you to be proactive about exploring options and opportunities, engaging with resources, and taking full advantage of the major decision process.

You should also consult The Sophomore Checklist, which will provide guidance as you plan your next steps.

Other communications:

Letter to Students of the Class of 2026

Letter to Parents, Guardians and Families of the Class of 2026

Deadline

Students may declare their major at the beginning of winter term in their sophomore year.

Declaration Process

You will declare your major using the Online Major Declaration process (single majors, double majors, modified majors, and minors).

The staff in the Registrar's Office and your Undergraduate Deans are available to assist with the major/minor declaration process and to answer any questions.

DartWorks: Online Major System Guides

Additional Information can also be found at the Planning Your Major page. 

Topics you might want to discuss with your Undergraduate Dean:

Academic

• Declare a major by the end of your 5th term in residence
• Complete language requirement (before the end of the seventh term)
• Complete PE requirement
• Accessing resources
• Review Department Major/Minor/Modified Major Advising Sheets
• Maintain or improve your GPA
• Study skills
• Time management
• Research opportunities
• Sophomore Summer Requirement—While sophomore summer is an opportunity for the class to bond, it continues to be a rigorous term and we encourage students to maintain the same academic focus they would apply during the rest of the year.
• Leave term planning
• Apply for off-campus programs (LSA/FSP) (most deadlines are Feb. 1st except summer programs)

Personal

• Continue to expand social circles
• Strive to balance one's life
• Explore your own personal balance and wellness
• Continued exploration of extracurricular activities and opportunities
• Out-of-classroom contact with professors