What do students do at Dartmouth?

Dartmouth students balance rigorous academics, leveraging the unique "D-Plan" for internships and study abroad, with a vibrant campus life filled with outdoor activities (skiing, hiking), diverse arts (Hopkins Center), numerous clubs, varsity and club sports, research with professors, and community engagement, all within a close-knit environment in Hanover, New Hampshire. They study liberal arts, engage in hands-on learning, and participate in a packed schedule of events, from concerts and lectures to traditions like Homecoming.

What do students at Dartmouth do for fun?

Affinity groups such as the International Students Association, the Dartmouth African Students Association etc will host events like game nights, karaoke and barbecues for members. The Collis Student Center also hosts weekly trivia nights, bingo nights, concerts and other performances that are open to all students.

What do people go to Dartmouth for?

Following a liberal arts curriculum, Dartmouth provides undergraduate instruction in 40 academic departments and interdisciplinary programs, including 60 majors in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering, and enables students to design specialized concentrations or engage in dual degree ...

What is there to do at Dartmouth College?

• Dartmouth College.
• Hood Museum of Art.
• Baker-Berry Library at Dartmouth College.
• Hopkins Center for the Arts.
• Howe Public Library.
• Nathan's Garden.
• Thompson Arena.
• Red Rolfe Field at Biondi Park.

What kind of student thrives at Dartmouth?

Students who thrive at Dartmouth are curious, collaborative, and self-motivated learners who balance rigorous academics with a vibrant social and outdoor life, embracing Dartmouth's intimate Ivy League setting, "work hard, play hard" culture, and strong emphasis on undergraduate teaching and community engagement, often bringing unique perspectives and a desire to explore diverse opportunities like the D-Plan. 

15 Questions with a Dartmouth Student

Is Dartmouth the party ivy?

Yes, Dartmouth is widely known as the "party Ivy" due to its prominent Greek life, strong social scene centered around fraternities and sororities, and a culture that embraces weekend parties and celebrations, though it balances this with rigorous academics as an Ivy League school. Its remote setting in New Hampshire and focus on undergraduate experience contribute to this unique, spirited atmosphere, with "big weekends" and "Frat" events being central to campus social life. 

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. 

Is it harder to get into Harvard or Dartmouth?

It is generally harder to get into Harvard than Dartmouth, as Harvard consistently has a lower acceptance rate (around 3-4%) compared to Dartmouth (around 5-6%), making Harvard more selective overall, although both are extremely competitive Ivy League schools where admission requires exceptional qualifications. Harvard's significantly lower rate means fewer applicants are admitted compared to Dartmouth's, making Harvard the harder school based purely on statistics. 

What major is Dartmouth famous for?

Top Majors and Programs at Dartmouth

Dartmouth is known for its strong programs in Economics, Government, Engineering, and Environmental Studies.

How much does it cost to go to Dartmouth for 4 years?

For the 2025-2026 year, Dartmouth's undergraduate tuition alone is around $69,207 per year, totaling approximately $276,828 for four years if paid via their prepayment plan (not including room, board, or other fees). However, the total estimated Cost of Attendance (COA), including tuition, fees, room, board, books, and personal expenses, for the 2025-2026 year is closer to $373,083 for four years, with significant financial aid available to lower the actual amount paid. 

Do Dartmouth students party?

Weekends. Dartmouth functions on a quarter system, and one weekend each term is set aside as a traditional celebratory event, known on campus as "big weekends" or "party weekends".

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.
 

What famous person 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 happy school?

Dartmouth Tops List: Colleges With The Happiest, Most Successful Alumni. Forbes speculates that the best way to evaluate a four-year college education may revolve around just one variable: alumni giving.

Where do Dartmouth students hang out?

The River: With Dartmouth being conveniently located right next to the Connecticut River, it is impossible not to make the trek down to the river and hang out down there. If you are a student, you can rent paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes for free through the Ledyard Canoe Club!

What to do in Dartmouth for adults?

Top Attractions in Dartmouth

• Coleton Fishacre. 4.8. (2,009) Historic Sites. ...
• Greenway House. 4.5. (2,236) History Museums. ...
• Britannia Royal Naval College. 4.9. (336) ...
• Fast Rabbit Farm Gardens. 4.8. (535) ...
• Blackpool Sands. 4.1. (1,192) ...
• Woodlands Family Theme Park. 3.9. (1,787) ...
• Dartmouth Castle. 4.2. (891) ...
• Dart Harbour. 4.6. (400)

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. 

Has a Dartmouth player made it to the NFL?

Dartmouth has been represented in the NFL from the league's beginning when Pro Football Hall of Fame tackle Ed Healey '18 was the first player in the NFL to be traded, moving from the Rock Island Independents to the Chicago Bears after player-coach and future owner George Halas acquired his services for $100.

What kind of student goes to Dartmouth?

Dartmouth really seeks students who are risk-takers who will contribute to campus life, as evidenced by the fact that many Dartmouth freshmen start clubs and organizations on campus related to their interests and passions.

What is the easiest Little Ivy to get into?

The "easiest" Little Ivy to get into depends on your definition, but schools like Union College, Lafayette College, and Connecticut College generally have higher acceptance rates (around 40-50% or more) compared to highly selective ones like Williams or Amherst (often 7-10%), making them more accessible target schools for strong applicants. However, all Little Ivies are selective, so "easiest" is relative; look for schools with acceptance rates above 20-30% if you're aiming for the less exclusive end.
 

Is it easier to get into brown or Dartmouth?

Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that Brown University is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, Dartmouth College is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.
 

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, referring to those from the highest income brackets, tend to attend elite universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale that consistently rank high in national and global lists, with some even having more students from the top 1% income bracket than the bottom 60% combined, according to The New York Times data. Top-ranked institutions like MIT, Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford are frequent top contenders in various 2026 rankings from U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education. 

Which ivy is the easiest academically?

Here is a list:

1. Cornell University. Cornell is the easiest and youngest Ivy League school. ...
2. Dartmouth University. The second most accessible Ivy League school to get into is Dartmouth, established in 1769 and based in Hanover, New Hampshire. ...
3. Brown University. ...
4. University of Pennsylvania.

What is the #1 party school?

For 2026, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), is widely ranked as the #1 party school by sources like Niche, based on student surveys about campus party scenes, access to nightlife, and Greek life, followed by schools like Florida State and Tulane. Other strong contenders often mentioned include the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USC, and the University of Alabama, with rankings varying slightly by publication and criteria.