What kind of students does Dartmouth look for?

Dartmouth looks for energetic, curious, values-driven students with strong academics (rigorous courses, high scores) and a deep commitment to a few meaningful activities, demonstrating leadership and diverse interests outside the classroom, all while bringing unique perspectives and a desire for collaborative, independent thought within a close-knit community. They value students who show passion, self-awareness, and social awareness in essays, balancing intellectual pursuits with real-world engagement, says Dartmouth Admissions.

What traits does Dartmouth look for?

Consequently, Dartmouth values qualities in students such as risk-taking, curiosity, and adventurousness. Dartmouth rates every applicant in two separate areas on a 1 to 9 scale (9 being the highest and 1 being the lowest): (1) Academic Rating and (2) Personal Rating.

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.

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 students like at Dartmouth?

As a group, Dartmouth students are energetic, curious, values-driven, and diverse in a broadly-defined way. You can learn about impressive individuals like Natalie Dokken '23 and Nick Sugiarto '23 in 3D Magazine, Dartmouth's admissions magazine.

How to Get Into Dartmouth!

What does Dartmouth look for in its students?

Key admissions factors include strong grades in challenging coursework, demonstrable academic curiosity, leadership, character, and thoughtful essays. Supplementary materials such as recommendation letters (academic and personal), meaningful extracurriculars, and projects that show impact help distinguish applicants.

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. 

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 is the #1 hardest AP class?

While it varies by student, AP Physics 1 is frequently cited as the #1 hardest AP class due to low pass rates, complex algebra-based concepts, and intensive lab work, with other top contenders for difficulty including AP U.S. History, AP Environmental Science, and AP English Language. The difficulty often comes from content overload, conceptual depth, and demands for hands-on application, making it challenging for many students to score high. 

Is Dartmouth harder than Harvard?

Harvard is generally considered harder to get into due to lower acceptance rates and higher median test scores, making it statistically tougher to gain admission, but both are highly selective Ivies with rigorous academics, with the type of difficulty differing: Harvard offers vast urban resources, while Dartmouth provides a smaller, more tight-knit, outdoor-focused, undergraduate-centric environment where challenges can be more communal and less competitive. 

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. 

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.
 

Why is Gen Z not going to college?

Gen Z is questioning college due to sky-high costs, massive student debt, and a shaky job market where degrees don't guarantee success, leading many to explore lucrative alternatives like trade schools, entrepreneurship, or acquiring digital skills, valuing direct career entry and financial independence over traditional four-year paths. They see past generations struggling with loans and uncertain job prospects, shifting focus to better Return on Investment (ROI), with many regretting college or seeking more practical, cheaper education. 

Does everyone who applies to Dartmouth get an interview?

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 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 Dartmouth the easiest ivy?

Dartmouth isn't the easiest Ivy, but it's often considered among the "easiest to get into" compared to Harvard or Yale, typically ranking just after Cornell and ahead of Brown/Penn in terms of slightly higher acceptance rates (around 5-6% vs. 3-4%). It's still extremely selective, but its smaller size, undergraduate focus, and unique offerings, plus early decision pools, can make it slightly more accessible than the most difficult Ivies. 

Do colleges prefer IB or AP?

Colleges generally don't prefer AP over IB or vice versa; both are seen as rigorous, excellent preparation for college, and valuable for earning credit, with the main goal being that students challenge themselves with the hardest courses their school offers. The choice often depends on your learning style (AP is a la carte, IB is a structured diploma) and school availability, but admissions officers look for academic rigor and a student's dedication to advanced studies in either program.
 

What is considered the easiest AP?

Easiest AP Classes

• AP Chinese Language and Culture – 88.4% ...
• AP Drawing – 84.8% ...
• AP Research – 84.4% ...
• AP Spanish Language and Culture – 83.8% ...
• AP 2-D Art & Design – 83.6% ...
• AP Calculus BC – 78.5% ...
• AP English Literature and Composition – 77.2% ...
• AP Japanese Language – 76.9%

Is 10 AP classes impressive?

For students aiming for the Ivy League and Top 20 schools in the United States, a good target is to take (and pass) 10-14 AP classes throughout your high school career — or 3-4 each year.

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. 

Is Dartmouth or Princeton better?

Dartmouth is also the better option if you're looking for a flexible curriculum. The D-Plan gives you a lot of freedom to study around your interests and schedule. For those seeking a more traditional collegiate experience, Princeton is the better fit.

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, often defined by family income, tend to go to highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth, Yale, Penn, Brown, Princeton, and Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, with some Ivy League schools having a higher concentration of these students than the bottom 60% of income earners. Rankings vary, but MIT, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley consistently appear at the top for overall academic standing, attracting top talent across all income levels. 

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 hardest school to get into in the UK?

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of St Andrews, and Imperial College London are the most competitive universities in the UK.