What are some fun facts about Dartmouth?

Dartmouth College is known for its unique outdoorsy culture, including owning its own ski mountain (Dartmouth Skiway), having the nation's oldest student-run Outing Club (the DOC), and a famous Winter Carnival, plus its status as the smallest Ivy League school with a focus on close-knit, hands-on liberal arts education. Fun facts include its motto "A voice crying in the wilderness," its traditions like "Dartmouth Night" bonfires, and its role in hosting presidential debates.

What is so unique about Dartmouth?

Dartmouth is known for its unique year-round academic calendar. The “D Plan”—the name given to Dartmouth's quarter-system calendar—consists of four 10-week terms per year, providing students considerable flexibility. Students generally take three classes per term and must complete 35 courses over 12 terms to graduate.

Is Dartmouth the oldest college?

Founded in 1769 by The Reverend Eleazar Wheelock, Dartmouth is the nation's ninth oldest college.

Is Dartmouth the smallest ivy?

Dartmouth is the smallest Ivy League school with around 4,000 undergraduates. It's known for its strong liberal arts focus, close-knit community, and emphasis on undergraduate teaching.

What is Dartmouth most proud of?

Dartmouth College is known for its Ivy League prestige, commitment to liberal arts education, strong alumni network, dedication to research and innovation, vibrant campus culture, and a diverse and inclusive community.

Why Dartmouth?

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

What is the #1 Ivy League school?

While rankings fluctuate, Princeton University is frequently ranked as the #1 Ivy League school and often the #1 university overall in the U.S., followed closely by schools like Harvard and Yale, with rankings depending on the specific publication (e.g., U.S. News) and year, but Princeton consistently appears at the top for national universities. Harvard and Yale also rank extremely high, sometimes even #1 globally, but Princeton holds the top spot in many U.S. national rankings. 

What famous people went to Dartmouth?

Dartmouth College boasts notable alumni in diverse fields, including Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss), writer; Shonda Rhimes, producer; Mindy Kaling, actress/writer; poets like Robert Frost; politicians such as Daniel Webster and Kirsten Gillibrand; and figures in business, science, and athletics, showcasing a wide-ranging impact from entertainment to public service and academia.
 

Is Dartmouth a d1 or d2 school?

With 35 Division I varsity teams, the Dartmouth Big Green are known worldwide as a member of the prestigious Ivy League, where our athletes compete against a collection of the nation's oldest schools.

Is Dartmouth harder than Harvard?

Harvard is generally considered harder to get into due to its lower acceptance rate and higher average test scores, but Dartmouth is also extremely selective, known for rigorous academics and a unique, tight-knit campus culture, making the "harder" label subjective depending on what kind of challenge you mean (admissions vs. campus life/academics). While Harvard's admissions are statistically tougher, both are elite schools with demanding coursework, but Dartmouth's isolated setting and smaller size foster a different, more intense undergraduate experience compared to Harvard's urban environment. 

What is the #1 private university in the US?

There isn't one single #1 private university, as rankings vary by publication, but Princeton University, Harvard University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) consistently rank at the very top of most lists, often trading the first few spots, with Princeton frequently cited as #1 in recent years by sources like U.S. News and Niche. Other top contenders include Stanford, Yale, and the University of Chicago, reflecting a cluster of elite institutions.
 

What is the closest big city to Dartmouth?

How far is Dartmouth from Boston? Boston is about a 2.5 hour drive from Hanover. While the two places aren't exactly close neighbors, it is the closest big city to Dartmouth's rural location.

What is the average GPA for Dartmouth?

Average GPA: 4.11

The average GPA at Dartmouth is 4.11. This makes Dartmouth Extremely Competitive for GPAs. (Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. This school did not officially report its average GPA, but we've estimated it here using data from over 1,000 schools.)

What sport is Dartmouth known for?

Rowing. Students first began rowing at Dartmouth in 1833, and since then it has grown to be the most popular sport at Dartmouth, with over 200 students participating every year.

What is the hardest major at Dartmouth?

While "hardest" is subjective, Dartmouth students often perceive Engineering, Chemistry, Physics/Astronomy, and sometimes Math and Economics as the most challenging due to rigorous, project-based STEM work, intense core classes (like Econometrics), and fast-paced content delivery, though perceptions vary, with some finding even less typical fields difficult.
 

Why is it called Dartmouth?

The name Dartmouth originates from the English port town in Devon, meaning "mouth of the River Dart," likely from a Celtic word for a swift stream or oak river. American places like Dartmouth, MA, and Dartmouth College were named after this English town, with the College specifically honoring William Legge, 2nd Earl of Dartmouth, a supporter of education, though the specific reason for the town's naming in America often links back to early settlers or ships from the English port. 

Who is Dartmouth's main rival?

Dartmouth's biggest rival, particularly in football and historically within the Ivy League, is Harvard, with the annual Harvard-Dartmouth game often deciding the league championship and being one of the oldest rivalries in college football. Other significant rivals include Cornell, especially when vying for Ivy League titles, and even Princeton, sometimes, due to conference implications, though Harvard remains the most prominent opponent. 

What is the smallest Ivy League school?

The smallest Ivy League school by enrollment is Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, known for its intimate undergraduate focus, comprehensive programs, and strong community within a rural New England setting, despite its smaller size compared to other Ivies like Harvard or Columbia. 

Is Dartmouth a preppy school?

Colleges with the most Preppy Students: 1. Princeton University 2. Dartmouth 3. Trinity College 4.

What NFL player went to Dartmouth?

Jay Fiedler. Jay Brian Fiedler (born December 29, 1971) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Dartmouth Big Green. He played 76 games at quarterback in the NFL, starting 60, and threw 69 touchdowns.

What is the #1 university in the world?

There's no single "number 1" university, as rankings vary by methodology, but the University of Oxford and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) consistently rank at the very top, with Oxford often #1 in Times Higher Education (THE) 2026 and MIT leading QS 2026 rankings, while Harvard University leads U.S. News rankings for global universities.
 

What is the lowest Ivy League school?

There's no single "worst" Ivy League school, as it depends on individual priorities (academics, location, culture), but Dartmouth College is often cited as lower-ranked due to its smaller size, rural setting, and cold winters, while some perceive Cornell University as less selective or prestigious in certain areas, or Brown University as having a less traditional/rigorous academic culture for some, though all are elite institutions.