The list below contains informal responses to frequently asked questions. If you have questions about the program not answered below, you may email the department information manager at mits.kobayashi@dartmouth.edu.

Questions

1. How can we obtain application materials for the graduate program in Mathematics? (answer)
2. What is the location like? (answer)
3. What is the size of the whole school? (answer)
4. What is the size of the math department? (answer)
5. How many grad students enter in one year? (answer)
6. Where have recent PhDs taken jobs? (answer)
7. Are there specific fields of research that the math department generally focuses on, or are there a broad range of choices? (answer)
8. How many years does it take to get through the program? (answer)
9. Can I get just a Masters degree? (answer)
10. I already have a Masters degree from another school. Can I skip the Masters requirements and just get a PhD from Dartmouth? (answer)
11. What kinds of financial support are there? (answer)
12. How many years will the support last? (answer)
13. Are there any scholarships available? (answer)
14. Do I have to take the TOEFL? I have studied for four years at a US college or university, and am graduating with a bachelor's degree.(answer)
15. What is your cutoff score for the TOEFL? (answer)

Answers

1. How can we obtain application materials for the graduate program in Mathematics?
   • Apply online through the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. Application link: https://apply.gs.dartmouth.edu/apply/
     Application deadline: December 15, 2024.
   • If you have questions, you may request information via:
     Graduate Program Administrator
     Department of Mathematics
     6188 Kemeny Hall
     Dartmouth College
     Hanover, NH 03755-3551
     (603) 646-2768
     mathphd@math.dartmouth.edu
2. What is the location like?
   Dartmouth is located in Hanover, NH which is a small town of approximately 10,000 (not including Dartmouth). It is located near Interstates 89 and 91. Hanover is 2 hours from Boston, 3 hours from Montreal, and 5 hours from New York City. There is convenient transportation from campus to downtown Boston, Boston's Logan Airport, and downtown New York City. The surrounding area is very scenic. There are hills and lots of hiking and the surrounding area is full of trees which are quite pretty in the fall when the leaves change color. There are lots of outdoor activities available, including at Dartmouth's own Skiway. Hanover is a quintessential small New England town with a good collection of restaurants, cafes, shopping, and other amenities, including cultural activities at the Hopkins Center and Hood Museum. Retail chain stores are located about 5 miles from campus, in West Lebanon, NH.
3. What is the size of the whole school?
   About 6,600. (4,500 undergrads, the rest are grad students, med students, Tuck business school students, and Thayer engineering students)
4. What is the size of the math department?
   About 25 faculty and about 35 (pure and applied) math graduate students.
5. How many grad students enter in one year?
   About 7–9 each year.
6. Where have recent PhDs taken jobs?
   See our list of recent graduates to where people have gone.
7. Are there specific fields of research that the math department generally focuses on, or are there a broad range of choices?
   There is a pretty broad range of areas that the math department is involved in: Algebra, Analysis, Applied Mathematics (including complex systems and networks, computational science and modeling, data science), Combinatorics, Geometry, Logic, Number Theory, Topology. There are also people who are willing to supervise students in any of these areas. See our list of Faculty and Research Interests.
8. How many years does it take to get through the program?
   Five years altogether. Typically, one – two years for the Masters degree and three additional years for the PhD. In theory, of course, you can graduate as soon as you fulfill all the requirements for the PhD, and while a few students finish in four years, the norm is five.
9. Can I get just a Masters degree?
   Typically Dartmouth only admits those students whose goal is to obtain a PhD. Although students will sometimes leave the program after getting a Masters and before receiving a PhD., all students who initially enter are supposed to do so with the intent of completing the PhD program.
10. I already have a Masters degree from another school. Can I skip the Masters requirements and just get a PhD from Dartmouth?
    Dartmouth requires that you pass all preliminary and advancement exams even if you have a Masters degree, so in effect, you will get a Masters from Dartmouth before becoming a PhD candidate. Of course students with advanced training often pass the preliminary exam upon entry and quickly move towards the advancement process which includes an advancement exam and finding a primary and secondary advisor.
11. What kinds of financial support are there?
    Since graduate students are in residence all year (including summer terms), they are paid a 12-month stipend which is adequate to afford all typical expenses.
12. How many years will the support last?
    Support is provided for 5 years, provided that you remain in good standing in the program. Good standing means that you pass your courses, meet deadlines for passing preliminary and advancement exams, and work diligently towards the completion of a thesis.
13. Are there any scholarships available?
    All graduate students who are not otherwise supported receive a Dartmouth Fellowship, which covers the cost of tuition as well as the stipend mentioned above. Students are encouraged to apply for NSF graduate fellowships.
14. Do I have to take the TOEFL? I have studied for four years at a US college or university, and am graduating with a bachelor's degree.
    In cases like this we will generally waive the TOEFL requirement, upon request.
15. What is your cutoff score for the TOEFL?
    We don't have a hard-and-fast cutoff, but you should be aware that we are looking for a higher degree of English-language proficiency than what is expected by more typical math graduate programs. Roughly speaking, we're looking for a combined score of 105 or better on the internet TOEFL test, with at least 25 on the speaking test. We also look for other evidence of English proficiency, such as specific comments in your letters of reference about your ability to speak and write English.