Frequently Asked Questions

If your English skills need work, you can take an ESL class (English as a Second Language) through the Rassias Foundation at Dartmouth for a fee. You can find out more by emailing the foundation or calling 603-646-2922. If you plan on entering the U.S. earlier in the summer to attend an intensive ESL program or a summer business program at a U.S. institution other than Dartmouth College, you must apply for a visa and enter the U.S. with the immigration documents issued by that institution (not Dartmouth College). Upon completion of the summer program, your immigration record will be transferred to Dartmouth College.

You should also continue to monitor this website for important deadlines and announcements as well as to sign up for Pre-Term Programs (if interested).

Students who will live off-campus with their families should arrive as early as their visa will allow. International students may not enter the United States any earlier than the “Earliest Admission Date”, which is 30 days prior to the start date listed on their I-20 (for F-1 visas). A little extra time will enable you to set up your household, help your family get adjusted, become familiar with the Upper Valley area, and meet some of your classmates and their families.

Review Housing and Meals for detailed information about housing options. It also contains a list of real estate agents in the area who may be able to help you locate rental housing. If you will not be living in a Tuck residence hall or Sachem Village and want to rent an apartment or a house, first check the Upper Valley Rental List maintained by the Dartmouth Real Estate Office or contact the Real Estate Office at 603-646-2446. The office is located at 4 Currier Place, Suite 305 in downtown Hanover, NH.

If you are thinking about hiring a mover, be sure to get quotes from several national and local moving companies. Compare timelines, insurance coverage, and overall costs. Be sure to ask for a “binding” estimate, which will put a limit on overcharges. We also recommend that the moving company you choose signs a “bill of lading,” which ensures that they will be responsible for your belongings. For helpful moving tips, visit Moving.com.

If you live off-campus, a car is almost a necessity. There is a free public bus system in the Upper Valley called Advance Transit, but it does not run as frequently, or to as many places, as students might wish.

You can rent a car at first and then buy or lease one. Used cars can be purchased either through private individuals or from auto dealerships. Craigslist is another popular online resource to buy and sell items. The Valley News, one of the local Upper Valley newspapers, contains many advertisements for used cars. If you do purchase a used vehicle, we strongly recommend that you have it checked out by a qualified auto mechanic before purchase.

One helpful resource in choosing a reliable used car is Carfax. For a fee, this site searches its nationwide databases and provides a detailed report on any used car with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It notes if the car has been in any major accidents, if it has been rebuilt, stolen, leased, or used as a fleet car.

We also suggest you familiarize yourself with the Vermont and New Hampshire New Motor Vehicle Arbitration program, more commonly known as the “Lemon Law” (the term “lemon” is a slang term for an inoperative vehicle purchased without prior knowledge of the defects). The purpose of the law is to provide a consumer with an efficient and informal process by which to resolve new motor-vehicle warranty problems.

You must get a driver’s license from the state in which you live, and you must go to the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state’s capital city (Concord, NH or Montpelier, VT). Specific driver’s license information can be found on the driver’s license page.

Please review Health and Immunizations in the Planning & Resources section. In addition to health services on campus, a major hospital—the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center—is located only 10 minutes from the Tuck School. For more information about the student health plan and other graduate student requirements, visit Dartmouth College Health Service. Bring a copy of your health and immunization records to Tuck, and be sure your medical records are in English.

Effective September 2005, F-1 visa holders are not eligible for social security numbers unless employed in the U.S. The social security number is used as a default ID number in the U.S., so completing any contractual agreement may be difficult without one (e.g., lease for housing, mortgage, cell-phone plan, driver’s license). One way around this is to contact the Social Security Office in Concord, NH to request an L-676 which states that you are ineligible to apply for a number. You can use this document as proof whenever a social security number is requested or required. We suggest going to the Social Security office in person because it is difficult to make contact via phone or email. For more information on eligibility or how to apply for a social security number, visit the Dartmouth Office of Visa and Immigration Services (OVIS) website.

• Social Security Office Locator

If you plan to make international calls, you can purchase a prepaid international calling card at the Dartmouth Computer Store in 001 McNutt. You can also purchase prepaid international calling cards at most gas stations or convenience stores.

We recently asked an international student about cell phones and calling plans, and he said that without a social security number you will need to pay a deposit (approximately $200) to sign up for a cell phone plan.

Employment

Work authorization in the United States is highly restricted by visa regulations and not possible for spouses in most cases. The Dartmouth International Office of Visa and Immigration Services (OVIS) staff can answer questions about immigration laws and employment for you and your partner. Visit OVIS or visit the Partners section of this site. While rare, some partners may qualify for an H-1B temporary worker classification through an employer.

Volunteering

There are many volunteer opportunities for Tuck partners, and it is a great way for partners to become involved in the Upper Valley community and make new friends. Volunteer opportunities are described in the Valley News, one of the local newspapers, as well as periodically emailed out via the Tuck Partner Listserve.

Tuck Volunteers, a student club, organizes many volunteer opportunities for students and families. Second-year Tuck partners are also a terrific source of information. Please consult with OVIS before accepting any volunteer position.

English Conversation Group

The Office of Pluralism and Leadership (OPAL) has coordinated an English conversation group for interested individuals. If you would like to learn more about the English conversation group, please visit the OPAL website.

Education

Partners may audit (take a course for no credit) elective courses at Dartmouth College and Tuck if there are enough spaces in the class and with the permission of the instructor. To find out when Dartmouth classes are meeting, search the undergraduate registrar’s timetable of class meetings for courses. Click “Subject Area(s)” and input your search criteria. The resulting table will list courses, instructors, class meeting periods, etc. Use the Dartmouth directory to search for the instructor’s email address, and use the weekly schedule diagram to determine when the class meets. If you are interested in auditing a Tuck course, please reach out to the Tuck Registrar for more information.

Partners can also take courses for credit if enrolled at other local colleges. Other local colleges and universities include:

Colby-Sawyer College
website
541 Main Street 
New London, NH 
Phone: 603-526-3000

Franklin Pierce University
website
40 University Road
Rindge, NH (there is also a satellite campus in West Lebanon, NH)
Phone: 603-899-4000 
Phone: 800-437-0048 (admissions)

Granite State College
website 
(University of New Hampshire’s adult college) 
Trade Center Building 
24 Airport Road 
Lebanon, NH 
Phone: 603-542-3841

Boston, MA, is two and a half hours away by car and is known for its many educational institutions. Burlington, VT, is two hours away and also has many colleges.

Tuck Partners Club

Your partner will receive information about the Tuck Partner’s Club at Tuck Launch. The Tuck Partners Club is an active organization dedicated to providing support and social activities for partners of Tuck students. Club members organize activities during Tuck Launch, so partners have the opportunity to meet others, explore the Upper Valley area, and ask questions about getting established in the United States. Second-year club members also act as mentors to the partners of incoming students.

The NH Almanac is a great site for basic facts on the state of New Hampshire, including information on demographics, taxes, education, government, history, fast facts, and so on. For information on the state government, visit NH.gov. It also has a great reference section for children.

If you are looking for recreational information on New Hampshire, you can visit the official site of the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development for a listing of events and attractions. For Vermont residents, the following sites have information on Vermont real estate, entertainment, businesses, restaurants, state history, and so on: Vermont.com and Vermont Chamber of Commerce.

The Valley News is a local newspaper and a great online resource for housing rentals, classified advertisements, and job opportunities.

And, of course, the two most important sites for any Tuck student to know about are Dartmouth College and Tuck School. You can also find an extensive list of Upper Valley resources on this website.