Declare by sophomore year
Dartmouth says students do not need to declare a major until sophomore year.
Undergraduate · Dartmouth
Dartmouth Computer Science: updated requirements from Fall 2026
Dartmouth admits students to the College and does not require a major to be declared until sophomore year. Computer Science is one of its majors, and the department's page says changes to the major take effect from Fall 2026, with CS 1 and a MATH course as prerequisites for all programmes under the updated requirements. For an A-level or IB applicant, the questions are how the major is entered, what preparation the updated rules expect and how Dartmouth's testing routes work for students outside the United States. This guide makes no claim about admission to the major.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What Dartmouth says about Dartmouth Computer Science
Taken from Dartmouth Admissions' Majors & Minors and Testing Policy pages and the Department of Computer Science's major and prerequisite pages, read on 31 October 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Dartmouth's pages for the 2028-entry details.
Updated requirements from Fall 2026
The department says changes to the CS major take effect from Fall 2026; earlier entrants may choose the previous requirements.
CS 1 and a MATH prerequisite
Under the updated requirements, CS 1 and MATH 8, 11 or 13 are the prerequisites; taking them early is recommended.
A-Levels and the IBDP named
Students from outside the US may meet the testing requirement through five routes, including predicted or final A-Levels or IBDP results.
SAT or ACT for US schools
Students who attended high school in the US must submit SAT or ACT results.
Official sources
- Dartmouth Admissions: Majors & Minorsadmissions.dartmouth.edu
- Dartmouth Department of Computer Science: CS Major and Prerequisite Coursesweb.cs.dartmouth.edu
- Dartmouth Admissions: Testing Policyadmissions.dartmouth.edu
Read on 31 October 2026 on Dartmouth Admissions' Majors & Minors and Testing Policy pages and the Department of Computer Science's major and prerequisite pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Dartmouth's Organization, Regulations and Courses pages, the full elective and culminating experience lists, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The major
What the department says changed
The department says the CS major prepares students for careers in computer science, with chances for research or projects with faculty. Changes take effect from Fall 2026, and students who enrolled before may keep the earlier requirements. The page lists learning goals in theory and analysis, algorithms, software design, systems and numerical methods, and requires three electives numbered 30 to 89. CS 1 and a MATH course are the prerequisites, and students are advised to take them before declaring. This guide did not read the full requirement list.
Is it the right major?
Computer Science, a modified major or another route
Dartmouth describes each as separate, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
Computer Science fits if
you want a computing major with mathematics and programming at its core.
Engineering fits if
you want an engineering degree. Avandy's Dartmouth Engineering guide covers the A.B. and B.E. routes.
Economics or QSS fits if
computing is a tool for another field. Avandy's Dartmouth Economics and QSS guides cover them.
Admission and testing
Five testing routes for students outside the US
Dartmouth says students who attended high school in the US must submit SAT or ACT results, while students from outside the US can meet the requirement in one of five ways, which include predicted or final British A-Level results and predicted or final IBDP results. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Dartmouth's.
Are you ready for programming and mathematics first?
CS 1 and a MATH course are the stated prerequisites.
Which testing route fits your school?
Dartmouth lists five routes for students outside the US.
Are you happy to declare in sophomore year?
Dartmouth does not ask for a major earlier.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Dartmouth's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Dartmouth's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 31 October 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Dartmouth has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Dartmouth for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the department's CS major page and choose a testing route.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Dartmouth College or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Dartmouth College. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
When do I declare Computer Science at Dartmouth?
Dartmouth says students do not need to declare a major until sophomore year.
Did the CS major change?
The department says changes take effect from Fall 2026, and earlier entrants may keep the previous requirements.
What are the prerequisites?
CS 1 and MATH 8, 11 or 13 under the updated requirements.
Does Dartmouth accept A-Levels and the IB for testing?
Yes. Students from outside the US can meet the requirement through five routes, including predicted or final A-Levels or IBDP results.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Students who attended high school in the US must submit them; students outside the US have five routes.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Dartmouth's wording with no entry-year label. Check Dartmouth's pages again when Dartmouth publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Dartmouth Computer Science
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their mathematics and programming, the updated major requirements and their testing route, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.