Why should I choose Dartmouth?

You should choose Dartmouth for its tight-knit, undergraduate-focused community, strong liberal arts, abundant research opportunities with accessible faculty, unique quarter system (D-Plan), and vibrant campus life balancing rigorous academics with outdoor activities and a passionate student body, all within an Ivy League setting with a powerful alumni network.

What's 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?

What is Dartmouth best for?

Dartmouth is known for its strong programs in Economics, Government, Engineering, and Environmental Studies. The Tuck School of Business is particularly notable – it consistently ranks among the top business schools in the world.

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 makes Dartmouth different from other Ivies?

On one hand, Dartmouth is known for its rigorous academics, Ivy League status, and small class sizes. On the other hand, the college is renowned for its Greek life (it was the inspiration for the movie Animal House), rural setting, and outdoorsy vibe.

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. 

Why is Dartmouth so hard to get into?

Dartmouth is so hard to get into due to extreme selectivity (around 5-6% acceptance rate), holistic review focusing on exceptional academics (top GPAs, challenging courses) plus unique personal qualities, a highly competitive applicant pool of top students nationwide, and its specific appeal for students seeking rigorous academics in a small, close-knit, adventurous campus environment, making it a personality fit as much as an academic one. 

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. 

Why did I choose this college?

Talk about the specific educational, research, and other academic opportunities offered by the college that appeal to you. Expand on this idea by talking about how these opportunities help support your future goals.

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 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 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 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.
 

Is Dartmouth a target school?

While Dartmouth is a target school for finance recruiting, it does not cultivate the rigid, pre professional culture that defines many peer institutions.

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. 

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.
 

What is the #1 hardest college 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. 

Why is Dartmouth ranked low?

Dartmouth is a very undergraduate-focused institution which is a disadvantage when being compared to colleges just as good undergraduate programs, like Harvard and Columbia, where for each undergraduate student there are also three or four graduate students in similarly world-class programs.

What are the big three Ivies?

The "Big Three" of the Ivy League refers to Harvard University, Yale University, and Princeton University, historically considered the most dominant in academics and sports, originating from fierce college football rivalries in the late 19th century. While all Ivies are elite, these three often top rankings and are known for their extreme selectivity, with Columbia sometimes joining them at the very top in recent years.
 

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 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.

Which school is better, Cornell or Dartmouth?

Cornell vs Dartmouth Academics

• Cornell University boasts an extensive range of academic disciplines and programs across its various colleges. ...
• Dartmouth College, on the other hand, offers a strong liberal arts curriculum. ...
• At Cornell, assessments vary across different courses and departments.