Thanksgiving Week: Program for Grades 9-12
November 19 – 27, 2023
(Accommodations can be made for those with breaks that take place before/after these dates)
Application Deadline: October 1, 2023
Dartmouth College* (9 Days):
Leadership · Test Prep · Essay Writing · Service · Ivy League Campus Life
Our Ivy Leader Thanksgiving Week at Dartmouth program takes place for nine days in Hanover, N.H.
Ivy Leader students will stay at the Hanover Inn, a luxury boutique hotel overlooking the scenic campus green. During this time, students will have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, prepare for the college application process, and participate in community service—all in a beautiful Ivy League college setting.
Highlights of the week include:
Lectures taught by Dartmouth and Tuck School of Business professors
Students will have the opportunity to participate in engaging, dynamic discussions (on topics such as finding your leadership style and critical thinking) led by professors from Dartmouth College and the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth—two top-ranked Ivy League undergraduate and business schools, respectively.
Individualized SAT prep
We offer a dynamic and innovative approach to test preparation. The program provides ample practice with genuine practice tests while still going beyond these standard measures to integrate pedagogically sound practices that engage every learner.
In a small classroom environment, the expert instructional team will teach strategy and specialized tactics unique to the SAT® exams. Additionally, students will complete creative projects to better engage with content, using project-based learning to improve their understanding and retention of the material. Each student will also receive personalized feedback and customized instruction in small groups and/or one-to-one tutorials. A baseline test and post-test will monitor improvement and offer detailed recommendations for ongoing study.
Conflict resolution / negotiation skills practice
This workshop (a program favorite!) explores how to deal more effectively with differences by taking a problem-solving approach to negotiation that will provide students with a set of essential tools to help them to deal with conflict. Case studies from Harvard Law School and adapted from Harvard Business School required book Getting to Yes, students learn to:
- Use effective communication (active listening, asking open-ended and focussed questions)
- Develop critical reading skills.
- Invent solutions that benefit both sides
- Develop empathy to see the problem from the other’s perspective
- Become aware of the role emotions play in negotiations and conflict
Students learn by doing. This workshop is centered around a series of role plays in which each student negotiates with another student, one-on-one, based on a set of confidential instructions.
Critical thinking / writing workshops
Led by the former director of Dartmouth’s writing program, this multi-part workshop will ask students to consider how they want to present themselves to the public. They will delve into how their social media postings may be defining or branding them, and read thought pieces on the topic. After a series of writing prompts, readings, personal inventories, peer review exercises, and class discussions, students will also produce a first draft of their personal statement to aid in their college application(s).
Admissions insights and campus tour
Students will have the chance to have a discussion with a former Dartmouth admissions director who will share some insight into the admissions process, allowing time for Q&A. Students will also participate in a Dartmouth campus tour, led by a current student.
Community service with a local organization
Students will have the chance to partner with an organization that prepares and delivers Thanksgiving meals to over 1,000 families in need living in the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire and Vermont. Students will earn about 20 community service hours for their service.
Time to explore Dartmouth campus and town of Hanover
There will be time for students to have some fun on their own exploring the renowned Dartmouth campus and quintessential New England town of Hanover.
Fine lodging and a full traditional Thanksgiving meal
Students will stay at the iconic and luxurious Hanover Inn, overlooking the Dartmouth College green. Finally, no Thanksgiving would be complete without a full traditional meal!
Program Cost: $3,495
Includes:
- All lodging expenses
- All meals
- All lectures, seminars, and workshops
- SAT books and supplementary handouts
- Transportation in and around Hanover, N.H.
[*Dartmouth College is not a sponsor or co-sponsor of this program.]