What does Dartmouth look for in an applicant?

Dartmouth looks for academically strong, intellectually curious, and well-rounded students through a holistic review, valuing leadership, significant extracurricular commitment (depth over breadth), unique personal stories, strong essays, and positive peer/teacher recommendations that highlight character, collaboration, and initiative beyond just grades and test scores. They seek diverse individuals who contribute to a vibrant, collaborative community and demonstrate intellectual vitality and passion.

What does Dartmouth look for in a student?

Dartmouth's overall acceptance rate is around 6%, but Early Decision offers a sharply higher rate. Key admissions factors include strong grades in challenging coursework, demonstrable academic curiosity, leadership, character, and thoughtful essays.

How to increase chances of getting into Dartmouth?

Because this school is extremely selective, getting a high SAT/ACT score and GPA is vital to having a chance at getting in. If you don't pass their SAT/ACT and GPA requirements, they'll likely reject you without much consideration.

What kind of student thrives at Dartmouth?

Students who thrive at Dartmouth are curious, collaborative, self-reliant, and energetic, balancing strong academics with active participation in a tight-knit community, often drawn to the outdoors and finding joy in both intellectual pursuits and social engagement. They are adaptable "self-starters" who appreciate Dartmouth's intimate environment but also leverage its resources for diverse interests, from research to athletics and service. 

What does Dartmouth value most?

Dartmouth expects academic excellence and encourages independence of thought within a culture of collaboration. Dartmouth faculty are passionate about teaching our students and are at the forefront of their scholarly or creative work.

How to Get Into Dartmouth!

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it varies slightly by year and source, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top, often with acceptance rates below 4%, with some lists pointing to Harvard or even Minerva University as the absolute lowest (around 1-3%) due to extreme competition and high standards. 

What major is Dartmouth best for?

The most popular majors at Dartmouth College include: Social Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Engineering; Mathematics and Statistics; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Visual and Performing Arts; Psychology; Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group ...

Is it harder to get into Yale or Dartmouth?

Keep in mind however that the eight Ivy League schools are all very hard to get into, despite these differences. Harvard, Columbia, Yale, and Princeton have recent acceptance rates slightly below 5%, while UPenn, Brown, Dartmouth, and Cornell have recent acceptance rates slightly above 5%.

What does Dartmouth look for in essays?

Your essays should help us understand those intangibles that can't easily be reflected in a resume. Show us the qualities that make you you. Your sense of humor, your passion, your intellectual curiosity, your self-awareness, or social awareness, or some mix of these.

What is the hardest major at Dartmouth?

While "hardest" is subjective, Dartmouth students often perceive Engineering, Chemistry, Physics/Astronomy, and Mathematics as the most challenging, due to intense, fast-paced STEM curricula, project-based learning, and demanding problem-solving. Biology and Economics are also frequently cited for their rigor, with some majors like Neuroscience perceived as difficult but not by their own students.
 

Is it harder to get into brown or Dartmouth?

It's extremely close, with recent data showing Brown slightly harder to get into by acceptance rate (around 5-5.6%) versus Dartmouth (around 5.4-6%), but both are exceptionally selective Ivies, making the difference minimal and dependent on the specific year and applicant pool; Brown's Open Curriculum attracts self-directed students, while Dartmouth offers a traditional college experience with a strong undergraduate focus. 

How to demonstrate interest in Dartmouth?

Your completed application is all the demonstrated interest we need. We don't track visits, communications, college fairs, or web events to enhance or detract from anyone's application. That said, we do think it is a good idea to develop a strong sense of whether or not Dartmouth is a good match for you.

What are the 5 C's of college choice?

The 5 C's of college choice are key factors to help students find the right fit: Curriculum (academics/majors), Campus (environment/vibe), Community (social life/support), Career (outcomes/opportunities), and Cost (affordability/value), guiding decisions beyond just prestige to focus on personal fit for a successful experience. 

Does Dartmouth interview every applicant?

Interviews Are Optional

Interviews are arranged after you have submitted your application. Not having an interview will not put you at a disadvantage in the admissions process.

What is the best way to get into Dartmouth?

If you're wondering how to get into Dartmouth, the answer is: submit a strong application. While there are no guarantees in the admissions process, creating an application that showcases who you are at your best and what you'd bring to Dartmouth will give you your best shot.

Does Dartmouth care about class rank?

Dartmouth ranks the following categories as being “very important” to the admissions process: rigor of secondary school record, class rank, GPA, standardized test scores, application essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, and character/personal qualities.

What are the 3 D's of college essays?

The "3 Ds" in college essays refer to common, often overused topics: Death, Disease, and Divorce, which many admissions officers advise avoiding due to their prevalence, making them hard to make unique; some lists extend this to the "5 Ds," adding Drugs and Dating/Drama. While these topics can be powerful, they risk sounding cliché, so the goal is to focus on personal growth, specific insights, and unique perspectives, rather than just recounting hardship, to show genuine self-reflection and maturity, according to College Confidential, College Admissions Strategies, and Reddit users. 

What is the top 10 rule when applying for college?

The "Top 10 Percent Rule" is a Texas law guaranteeing automatic admission to state universities for high school graduates in the top 10% of their class, designed to increase diversity and access, though flagship universities like UT Austin have lowered their specific threshold (e.g., to the top 6%, now 5% for Fall 2026) to manage demand, requiring applicants to still meet program-specific requirements and creating incentives for strategic high school choices, notes this Houston Chronicle article and the NBER. 

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

Dartmouth College's 4-year cost (tuition, fees, room, board, books) is projected to be over $370,000 for recent entering classes, with the sticker price around $90,000+ per year, though most families pay significantly less due to financial aid, with average net prices for some income levels near zero. For the 2024-2025 year, total costs were around $91,312, with tuition near $66,000, but actual costs depend heavily on aid, potentially dropping to under $20,000 annually for many students.
 

What is the easiest public ivy to get into?

The "easiest" Public Ivy to get into depends on your state residency and intended major, but generally, schools like University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), University of Maryland (College Park), Binghamton (SUNY), and University of Wisconsin-Madison often have higher acceptance rates than others like UCLA or UMich, though specific programs (like Engineering at UIUC or Business at UW-Madison) remain highly competitive; University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) also offers automatic admission for top state students. 

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.
 

Does Dartmouth admit based on major?

In schools that follow a US-based curriculum, five “major” subjects are required through the senior year. A student is admitted to Dartmouth College without a major designation but there are specific recommendations for students planning a course of study in STEM disciplines.

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; Robert Frost, poet; Daniel Webster, statesman; Connie Britton, David Harbour, Rachel Dratch, actors; and political figures like Laura Ingraham and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Other distinguished graduates include Nobel laureate K. Barry Sharpless and innovators like William Kamkwamba. 

Is Dartmouth the party ivy?

Yes, Dartmouth is widely considered the "party Ivy" due to its strong Greek life, frequent social events, and reputation for a wilder social scene compared to other Ivies, with parties often centered in fraternities and sororities, though the college also implements initiatives to promote inclusivity. It's known for its spirited culture, sometimes compared to large state schools, and has traditions like "big weekends," despite being a highly selective Ivy League university.