Why choose Dartmouth?

People choose Dartmouth for its unique blend of a rigorous liberal arts education within a small, collaborative community, its strong undergraduate research focus, the flexible D-Plan calendar, and access to vast outdoor recreation in a rural setting, all supported by a world-class faculty and an influential alumni network, balancing Ivy League prestige with a close-knit, non-"cutthroat" atmosphere.

What is so special about Dartmouth?

Dartmouth's uniqueness stems from its blend of a small liberal arts college feel with big research university resources, centered around its flexible {L:D-Plan}{/L} quarter system, deep focus on undergraduate education (especially research), strong sense of community fostered by its rural New England setting, and unique traditions like First-Year Trips and Sophomore Summer, all supported by an exceptionally engaged alumni network. 

How to answer the why Dartmouth question?

Dartmouth is specifically probing for information about what piques your interest about its academics, community, and/or campus environment. Focus on how you would spend your time at Dartmouth and how the environment might enrich your own sense of purpose. What are you hoping to major in and why?

Why is Dartmouth a good fit for me?

Unlike other Ivy League institutions, Dartmouth focuses on undergraduate studies. Rather than semesters, Dartmouth operates on a quarterly system known as the “D-Plan.” This allows students the flexibility to schedule when to attend classes and when to take breaks to pursue research and professional interests.

What makes Dartmouth different from other Ivies?

Dartmouth offers flexible education through its unique D-Plan, allowing customized schedules for internships, research, and study abroad. The college emphasizes community, small class sizes, and interdisciplinary learning.

Why Dartmouth?

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. 

Why is Dartmouth so prestigious?

Dartmouth's prestige stems from being a highly selective Ivy League institution known for its intimate undergraduate focus, strong liberal arts, exceptional faculty accessibility, vibrant outdoor culture, and powerful alumni network, offering personalized learning and excellent career outcomes despite its rural setting, which fosters unique traditions and a close-knit community. Its small size (around 4,000 undergrads) allows for deep professor-student connections, leading to unique research and collaborative environments, making it highly respected in the U.S. for its distinctive, hands-on experience.
 

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.

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 Dartmouth the easiest ivy to get into?

While Dartmouth is often considered one of the relatively easier Ivies to get into compared to hyper-selective schools like Harvard or Princeton, it's still extremely difficult, typically ranking just above Cornell as having the highest acceptance rates among Ivies, around 5-6% in recent years, but this varies slightly each cycle. Cornell usually edges it out for "easiest," while Harvard and Yale remain the toughest, but "easy" is a relative term for any Ivy League school. 

What type of student is Dartmouth looking for?

Dartmouth's admissions committee seeks students who are intellectually curious, open-minded, and willing to take risks. This school values individuals with a growth mindset who are willing to learn from challenges and failures.

What is the best answer for why did you choose this college?

I chose this college because of your highly rated [area of study program]. I've had a passion for this field for a long time and I'm excited to learn from the faculty that make up the outstanding program. I think my skills and learning style will be a great fit, too.

What to say in a Dartmouth interview?

Generally speaking, we're asked to comment on your academic curiosity, your extracurriculars / leadership skills, why or to what extent you're interested in Dartmouth, and whether we think you'd thrive as part of the campus community.

What is the #1 Ivy League school?

While rankings vary, Princeton University often holds the #1 spot among Ivies in U.S. News & World Report's national university rankings, closely followed by Harvard University and Yale University, though some rankings place Harvard first, emphasizing prestige and global reputation over specific yearly national placement. All eight Ivy League schools are top-tier research universities, but Princeton consistently leads recent national lists.
 

What is Dartmouth, UK known for?

Situated at the mouth of the River Dart, Dartmouth is one of South Devon's most beautiful towns. With its stunning landscapes, historic buildings, and charming harbor, it's a perfect holiday destination. From castles and theme parks to beaches and water sports, there's something for everyone.

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.

What is the easiest Ivy League to get into?

Statistically, Cornell University is often cited as the "easiest" Ivy League to get into due to its highest overall acceptance rate (around 8-9%), but it's crucial to understand that no Ivy is easy, and acceptance varies significantly by college within Cornell, with some programs like Engineering being highly competitive, while Hotel Administration and ILR are less so. Dartmouth College and Brown University are next in line by acceptance rate, but all Ivies are extremely selective. 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of families disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth College, Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, Duke University, Stanford University, and Princeton University, with studies showing over 20% of students at some of these schools come from the top 1% of the income ladder, often more than from the entire bottom 60% combined. Other affluent institutions like Washington University in St. Louis, Vanderbilt University, Georgetown University, and Bowdoin College also have significant representation from the wealthiest families.
 

Is brown or dartmouth harder to get into?

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. 

Why do people want to go to Dartmouth?

One of the main reasons I came to Dartmouth was because of the access to every department under one academic institution. Since all departments are housed within the college, you can take classes in any department you want.

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. 

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.
 

Are people happy at Dartmouth?

While many students appreciate the strong support systems and networks available, some challenges exist, particularly for those from less rigorous academic backgrounds, as they may feel a significant adjustment is needed.

Is Dartmouth very white?

Students at Dartmouth

The student body at the schools served by Dartmouth is 82.8% white, 1.6% Black, 1.4% Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander, 7% Hispanic/Latino, 0% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.

What is unique about Dartmouth academics?

Dartmouth's academic environment is defined by a unique blend of three characteristics: its liberal arts curriculum, its identity as a small college, and its status as a research institution. Together, these elements shape a distinctive and deeply enriching learning experience.