Want to know how to get into Dartmouth university? Then keep on reading. Dartmouth is an Ivy League school that receives thousands of applications every year, so, with that kind of competition, you need an application that stands out if you want to get accepted. You need to have the right tools and information, like knowing how to write a college essay and what the school actually looks for in applicants. In this blog, we go over Dartmouth’s admission statistics and requirements and everything else you need to know to create a compelling and competitive application for this prestigious institution.
Please note: although we have made every effort to provide the most accurate information, admissions information changes frequently. Therefore, we encourage you to verify these details with the official university admissions office. You are responsible for your own results. BeMo does not endorse nor affiliate with any official universities, colleges, or test administrators and vice versa.
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Mission statement
Dartmouth College educates the most promising students and prepares them for a lifetime of learning and of responsible leadership, through a faculty dedicated to teaching and the creation of knowledge.
Undergraduate curriculum
Dartmouth is known for its small class sizes and rigorous yet very flexible academic curriculum. Their distinctive "D-Plan" gives Dartmouth students the ability to choose when they take classes and when they're on break. Thus, allowing students to pursue internships, research fellowships, and work opportunities at any time of year, rather than fitting them in during the summer like students have to do at most universities. It also allows students to explore and travel. Something that is very popular at Dartmouth. They actually have a study abroad programs that over 75% of students are interested in.
The "D Plan" consists of four ten-week terms per year. Students must complete 35 courses over 12 terms to graduate. They get to choose which terms are their "residence terms" and which ones are their "leave terms". Residence Terms are quarters in which students are enrolled in classes. They must complete those during the fall, winter, and spring of their first year, during two of the three quarters of their senior year, and one summer quarter. Most students opt for their summer quarter after their sophomore year. On the other hand, the Leave Terms are quarters when a student is not enrolled. Students have to take at least one leave term during a fall or spring quarter, and likely at least one during the summer.
Admissions statistics
Dartmouth acceptance rate:
Matriculant's demographic profile
The recently admitted class at Dartmouth was mostly made up of men, with them making up 50% of the class, but 48% of the class is women and 2% of it is either Genderqueer, Non-binary, or Questioning. It is also worth noting that 15% of the students in this class are first-generation college students, 13% of them are legacy students, and 13% are international students. Additionally, almost half of the class (44%) is made up of students of color, and just over half of the class ( 55%) is receiving financial aid from Dartmouth.
Matriculant's academic profile
Dartmouth doesn’t publish the average GPA of its matriculants. However, it reports that 92.8% of admitted students graduated in the top 10% of their high school class, and 98.7% of admitted students graduated in the top 25% of their high school. Their SAT scores range between 1430-1550, and the middle 50% ACT score was 32-35. Looking at these numbers, it is safe to say that you need to have a strong academic background to get into Dartmouth.
Admission requirements
Dartmouth is consistently ranked among the best institutions in the United States and the world. Even though it doesn't publish the average GPA of admitted students, their standardized test scores and class ranking tells us that Dartmouth cares about your academic prowess. Dartmouth currently has a test-optional admissions policy. This means that it has suspended its standardized test requirement, but if you have a high score, we recommend submitting it with your application as it will make you a more attractive candidate.
Dartmouth requires that all undergraduate applicants use Common app for their applications. If you don't have one already, you will need to create an account on the Common app portal and add Dartmouth to the "My Colleges" section. You will be able to submit most of your application components directly through the portal. In addition to your personal details, test scores ( should you choose to include them), and academic background, you will have to fill out the common app activities section, write a personal essay and the supplemental essays required by the school. You will also have a section for your recommendation letters.
Not sure how to make your common app activities section stand out? Check out this infographic for tips:
References and school forms
When it comes to the college recommendation letters, you will be needing four of them. The first three should come from your high school. Dartmouth requires two letters from two of your high school teachers, and an evaluation from your guidance counselor. It would be preferable for the teacher recommendations to come from core subject teachers. You should also ensure that the letters speak to your academic performance, engagement with the course subject matter and classmates, and your personal character. The guidance counselor or another school official can submit these documents online through the common app, or they will need to be sent directly to the school by the teachers, the counselor, or another school official. Along with the recommendation, your counselor should also submit your official high school transcripts and a school profile if available. A Final Secondary School Report is required from all enrolling students by June 1st to confirm your high school completion and graduation date.
The fourth letter of recommendation - the peer recommendation- is optional, but we highly recommend taking advantage of this option. The peer recommendation is basically a letter in support of your application to Dartmouth, written by anyone you consider a peer. This means that it should not be someone in a supervisory or oversight role in your life. Instead, you can enlist the help of a classmate or teammate; brother, sister, or cousin; a co-worker, lab, or debate partner. This is an opportunity for the admissions board to hear about you from someone who knows you very well and who can speak to your strengths, skills, and personality.
Pick someone that knows you well and whose communication skills you trust. They may even ask you to write your own recommendation letter for them to review and sign. Let them know about this early so that they can write a compelling letter, and then you'll just need to invite them to write a recommendation on your behalf via your applicant portal or the Common App. It is also worth noting that your peer recommendation will be accepted by the school up to ten days after the deadline. That said, it would be ideal to ensure that your chosen peer submits the letter before the application deadline.
Admissions essays
In the university-specific questions section, you will find the prompts for the supplemental essays required by Dartmouth University. Applicants are required to write two different essays. The first prompt is mandatory for all applicants, and then students are given a few options to choose from for their second essay. These prompts are subject to change from year to year, but they are made available to you on the school's website early on so you can review them and start working on your essays. If you're not sure how to write a college essay, you should definitely reach out to a college essay advisor for guidance.
To give you an idea of what to expect, take a look at the current college essay prompts:
- While arguing a Dartmouth-related case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1818, Daniel Webster, Class of 1801, delivered this memorable line: "It is, sir,…a small college, and yet there are those who love it!" As you seek admission to the Class of 2026, what aspects of the College's program, community, or campus environment attract your interest? (100 words)
- Please choose one of the following prompts and respond in (250-300 words):
- The Hawaiian word mo'olelo is often translated as "story" but it can also refer to history, legend, genealogy, and tradition. Use one of these translations to introduce yourself.
- What excites you?
- In The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, William Kamkwamba, Class of 2014, reflects on constructing a windmill from recycled materials to power the electrical appliances in his family's Malawian house: "If you want to make it, all you have to do is try." What drives you to create and what do you hope to make or have you already made?
- Curiosity is a guiding element of Toni Morrison's talent as a writer. "I feel totally curious and alive and in control. And almost...magnificent, when I write," she says. Celebrate your curiosity.
- "Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away," observed Frida Kahlo. Apply Kahlo's perspective to your own life.
- In the aftermath of World War II, Dartmouth President John Sloane Dickey, Class of 1929, proclaimed, "The world's troubles are your troubles…and there is nothing wrong with the world that better human beings cannot fix." Which of the world's "troubles" inspires you to act? How might your course of study at Dartmouth prepare you to address it?
Alumni interviews
Alumni interviews are part of the admissions process, but not all students are called for an interview because of the limited number of alumni volunteers. Once you submit your application, your contact information is sent to volunteer alumni admissions ambassadors. The alumni will then contact applicants directly to schedule the interview using the email address provided in their application. For Early Decision applicants, the interviews are usually scheduled around November. On the other hand, the interviews for Regular Decision candidates are scheduled between early December and mid-February. At this time, all interviews are virtual, so you should prepare yourself for a video interview.
Not sure how to prepare for the video interview? This video can help:
Remember that virtual does not mean less formal. We recommend dressing appropriately, being courteous and professional, and ensuring that you are in a quiet place with a decent background. It is also a good idea to practice answering different college admissions interview questions and ensure that all of your equipment is working before the actual interview.
Application timeline
Dartmouth applicants have the option of using the Early Decision plan or the Regular Decision plan. The early decision plan allows students to submit their applications in November and get a response in December. In exchange for this early admission, applicants have to agree that if admitted to Dartmouth, they will withdraw any applications to other colleges, regardless of any concurrent offers that they may receive from other schools. If you're using the Regular Decision plan, then you must submit your application by the deadline in January and wait to hear back by April.
Below is a rough application timeline to give you an idea of what to expect. Remember to check the school’s website for the most up-to-date information, and keep deadlines in your calendar with notifications set up so that you can keep track of them.
Acceptance & waitlist information
After the interviews, you just have to wait for the admission board’s decision. If you applied through Early Decision, you will hear back during the month of December, and if you applied through Regular Decision, you will have an answer by the end of April. There are three possible outcomes for both scenarios:
Contact information
Dartmouth University Website
Email: [email protected]
Need a summary of the key points above? Take a look at this infographic:
FAQs
1. Is Dartmouth worth it?
Dartmouth is an ivy league school with a great reputation and an excellent curriculum, so it's a great school. However, it can only be "worth it" if it is the right place for you. We recommend researching the school, its values, and mission to make sure that they align with yours.
2. What GPA do you need for Dartmouth?
Dartmouth does not have a minimum GPA requirement, but over 90% of Dartmouth's admitted students graduated in the top 10% of their class, so if you're planning on applying to Dartmouth, you need to make sure your grades are in tip-top shape.
3. What's the acceptance rate at Dartmouth?
The current acceptance rate is 6.2%, meaning that for every 100 applicants, only about 6 of them get admitted to the school.
4. Who should I ask to write my peer recommendation?
Your peer recommendation should come from someone who knows you well enough to talk about your skills and qualities using concrete examples. It can be a close friend, coworker, or teammate.
5. How many supplemental essays does Dartmouth ask for?
Two essays. Applicants are given a list of prompts from which they have to select two to answer.
6. Can I get into Dartmouth with a low SAT score?
Yes, however if you apply with a low SAT score, your GPA and other application components will need to be impressive to compensate for it.
7. Does Dartmouth interview undergrad applicants?
Dartmouth conducts alumni interviews, but not all applicants are called for an interview due to the limited number of alumni volunteers.
8. How can I improve my application to Dartmouth?
You can enhance your application by giving yourself enough time to research the school, prepare your application, and write strong essays. To maximize your chances, you can also invest in college admissions consulting, and the advisors can help you create the most compelling application possible.
Disclaimer: BeMo does not endorse or affiliate with any universities, colleges, or official test administrators. The content has been developed based on the most recent publicly available data provided from the official university website. However, you should always check the statistics/requirements with the official school website for the most up to date information. You are responsible for your own results.
To your success,
Your friends at BeMo
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