Dickinson College
Carlisle, Pennsylvania · Private
Dickinson College admitted 42% of 5,719 applicants (Common Data Set 2025-2026). First-year students who sent the SAT scored 1340–1440 in the middle half. Test scores are optional. 83% of students graduate within six years.
Your chances at Dickinson College
Enter a score to see whether Dickinson College is a reach, target or likely school for you.
Based on the admit rate (42%) alone. Add a score for a sharper read.
A rough read from the admit rate and test scores only. Grades, courses, essays and activities matter as much or more. To see your whole list at once, use the chances calculator.
Application deadlines
Dickinson College’s first-year deadlines for 2026–27 on the Common App:
- Early decision
- November 15, 2026
- Early decision II
- January 15, 2027
- Early action
- November 15, 2026
- Regular decision
- January 15, 2027
The application is free, and Dickinson College accepts the Common App fee waiver. Dickinson College asks for the Common App personal essay, one teacher recommendation, a counselor recommendation, and a midyear report from your school. For financial aid it uses the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.
Deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. in your own time zone. From Common App’s requirements grid, updated September 25, 2026. Check Dickinson College’s admissions site before you submit. See every college’s deadlines or early decision vs. early action.
Early decision and early action
Early decision applicants were admitted at 57% (258 of 454), compared with 42% for all applicants.
Early applicants often include recruited athletes and students with stronger applications, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps one student.
335 students were offered a spot on the waitlist, 63 took it, and 8 were admitted from it.
What admissions weighs
How Dickinson College rates each part of an application, from its Common Data Set.
Very important
- Course rigor
- Class rank
- GPA
- Recommendations
- Talent or ability
- Character
- Showing interest
Important
- Essay
- Interview
- Activities
Considered
- Test scores
- First generation
- Legacy
- Where you live
- Volunteering
- Work experience
Not considered
- State residency
- Religion
What it costs
Full price with housing is $83,227 a year. After grants, students paid $40,242 on average.
Average price after grants, by family income:
Quick answers
What is Dickinson College’s acceptance rate?
Dickinson College admitted 42% of applicants: 2,373 of 5,719 (Common Data Set 2025-2026).
When is Dickinson College’s early decision deadline?
For 2026–27, early decision is due November 15, 2026, early decision II is due January 15, 2027, early action is due November 15, 2026, and regular decision is due January 15, 2027. Common App deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. in your own time zone.
What SAT score do you need for Dickinson College?
The middle half of admitted students who sent the SAT scored 1340 to 1440, with a median around 1380. A score at or above 1380 puts you in the top half of admitted students who sent one.
How much is Dickinson College’s application fee?
The application is free for 2026–27, and Dickinson College accepts the Common App fee waiver.
What does Dickinson College require?
Besides the application and transcript, Dickinson College asks for the Common App personal essay, one teacher recommendation, a counselor recommendation, and a midyear report from your school.
Does Dickinson College have supplemental essays?
Yes. For 2026–27, Dickinson College asks 3 questions of its own on top of the main essay (all optional: answer any, all or none, in 50 words or less each). Its supplemental essays page lists each one word for word with the word limit.
Does Dickinson College require the CSS Profile?
Yes. Dickinson College uses the CSS Profile for financial aid, along with the FAFSA, and it may ask a noncustodial parent to fill one out too.
Not sure which colleges fit?
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Writing your essays? See Dickinson College’s supplemental essays and get a free essay review.