Indigenous Fly-In Program

Indigenous Fly-In Program Highlights

Since its conception over 30 years ago, the Indigenous Fly-In Program Highlights (previously named the Native American Community Program and the Native 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. Admissions staff and current Dartmouth students, many of whom are past Dartmouth Bound participants, will offer their perspectives on Dartmouth and advice about navigating the college search and admissions process.

Tours

Include an orientation of the Dartmouth campus and facilities, as well as specific areas of interest, and tours of the athletic facilities, the Hopkins Center for the Arts, and the Thayer School of Engineering.

Native Students' Experience Forum

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 be available to answer questions and relate their own experiences at Dartmouth and beyond. Program participants should come ready to ask about everything from academics to social life to extracurricular and cultural involvement.

Native Americans at Dartmouth (NAD) Community Dinner

Held at the Native American House, this dinner 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 Workshops and Case Studies

The hallmark of our program. Admissions officers will walk you through our individualized review process and provide tips for completing college applications. You will have the chance to review real applications to the College as part of a mock admissions committee exercise. You will also have the opportunity to meet in small groups with a member of our admissions staff to ask questions about the college application process.

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

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.

Closing Dinner

A chance for participants, mentors, admissions staff, and faculty to gather and reflect on the program's events and discussions. There will also be a guest speaker who will offer some final words of encouragement.

At Dartmouth's founding in 1769, the 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." During the next 200 years, Dartmouth did little to actualize its founding commitment to Native students.

In 1970, John Kemeny, Dartmouth's 13th president, pledged to redress the historical lack of opportunities for Native Americans in higher education. This recommitment 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 actively recruit Native students.

Since 1970, over 1,200 Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians representing over 200 different tribal communities have attended Dartmouth. 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 Native peoples in the United States and Canada through interdisciplinary teaching and research.