Established in 1769, Dartmouth College is a private Ivy League research university nestled in the scenic town of Hanover, New Hampshire. Known for its small class sizes, tight-knit community, and a robust liberal arts curriculum, Dartmouth offers students an unparalleled academic experience.
Some popular subjects offered at Dartmouth are: Computer and Information Sciences, Psychology, Economics, Biology.
Important Factors in Admission Decision
Dartmouth considers the following “very important” factors in admission decisions
Course rigor
GPA
Class Rank
Test scores
Essays
Recommendation letters
Extracurriculars
Character/ personal qualities
How to Improve your Chances of Getting into Dartmouth
1. Achieve a high GPA while taking the most challenging classes available
It’s extremely important for Dartmouth applicants to not only possess outstanding grades but for those grades to come in challenging courses. International students accepted to an Ivy League like Dartmouth typically complete between 5 to 8 advanced courses in high school.
Taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams is a great way to enhance your academic profile and demonstrate your commitment to challenging coursework. These exams allow you to showcase college-level knowledge which can impress admissions officers looking for students who push themselves academically.
2. Aim for a 1570 SAT or a 35+ ACT
Starting 2024 Dartmouth has reinstated standardized testing requirements. The middle 50% of Dartmouth class of 2029 earned SAT scores of 1500-1570 and ACT scores of 33-35+. Any score in the middle 50% is good, however, the higher the score, the better your odds of admission.
3. Explore your favorite subjects via Research Papers
One common factor that we have noted in the resumes of students admitted to the Ivy Leagues and other top colleges is the prevalence of research work while still in high school.
A high-quality research paper shows that you have the energy and the initiative to go beyond what is taught in the class and apply it to real life problems. It shows that your interest in the subject extends beyond the questions provided at the end of the chapter. Secondly, you learn the discipline of not rushing intuitively to the likely answer, instead using a deliberate process in which you are guided by the data. Lastly, in working with a skilled professor or mentor you learn how to organize your thoughts better, ask the right questions and try to answer those questions in the best way possible subject to the constraints.
4. Cultivate at least one or two Tier 1-2 extracurriculars (find your “niche”)
For selective institutions like Dartmouth, extracurricular activities can play a larger role in admission decisions. Up to 25% of an admissions decision can be determined by a student’s activities outside of the classroom. While it’s true that there is no such thing as a bad extracurricular activity, some extracurricular activities are more impressive than others.
Admissions officers evaluate extracurriculars with one being the most exceptional and four being the most common. For example:
Tier 1 activities are rare and demonstrate exceptional achievement or leadership at a national or international level. Some examples are, 1) World Robot Olympiad, a global competition where youngsters (13 to 19 years age) from different countries participate, 2) International Mathematical Olympiad, a math competition for pre- university students, 3) International Science Olympiads in various areas of the formal sciences, natural sciences and social sciences.
Tier 2 extracurriculars show high levels of achievement and leadership but aren’t quite as rare as activities found in Tier 1 (they’re more of state-level achievements). These include making an all-state selection in athletics, serving as student body president, or being selected for a prestigious state-wide summer program like governor’s school.
Tier 3 extracurricular activities are great for showing an applicant’s interest outside of the classroom but don’t have the cachet of higher-tiered extracurriculars. These activities are smaller leadership roles and achievements that often appear on applications. These include being captain of a sports team or holding a lesser officer position in a club.
Tier 4 extracurriculars are the least impressive and most common activities seen by admissions officers. These activities include playing a sport or instrument, participating in a club but not holding a leadership position, and volunteering.
Supplementary Submission: One unique aspect of Dartmouth's application process is the option to submit supplementary materials, particularly portfolios, as part of your extracurricular activities. If you are an artist, musician, or have engaged in other creative endeavors, you can showcase your work to further enhance your application. This portfolio can include samples of your artwork, musical performances, writing, or other relevant projects that demonstrate your talent and dedication. Additionally, Dartmouth allows students to submit a single-page research abstract instead of a full research paper. This is ideal if you have completed significant academic research and want to highlight your findings. When submitting a portfolio or research abstract, it is essential to present your best work thoughtfully and professionally. Be selective about what you include, quality is more important than quantity. This submission allows you to stand out from other candidates by providing tangible evidence of your skills and passions, adding depth to your application.
5. Write engaging essays
Essays are the best way to distinguish yourself from other applicants. Dartmouth requires all applicants to submit one personal essay and three supplemental essays as part of its application. Research the university and the faculty of the department you are planning to join. Explain in your essay how your values tie with the expectations of the university and how you expect to utilize the knowledge to make the world a better place.
Let’s take a look at some of these supplemental essay prompts:
1. Be yourself," Oscar Wilde advised. "Everyone else is taken." Introduce yourself. This prompt invites students to share their authentic selves, emphasizing individuality and personal identity. Students should reflect on their passions, interests, and experiences that define who they are. Instead of listing achievements, they should aim to tell a compelling story that showcases their personality, values, and the qualities that would contribute to the Dartmouth community.
2. What excites you? This prompt asks students to share what genuinely sparks their passion and curiosity. When answering, students should focus on something they feel deeply enthusiastic about whether it's a subject, hobby, or personal experience and explain why it matters to them. This is an opportunity for the applicants to showcase what drives them, giving Dartmouth insight into what motivates them to learn and grow. This response should reflect your personality and hint at how this excitement will shape your experience at Dartmouth.
3. Celebrate your nerdy side. This prompt invites students to share their passions, interests, or hobbies that they genuinely geek out about. Whether it’s a love for coding, a fascination with ancient history, or a deep dive into astrophysics, this is your chance to show what excites you intellectually or creatively.
6. Recommendation Letters
Letters of recommendation (LOR) help paint a complete picture of who you are in front of the admission officers. Like any good painter, you want to be in control of your whole application. It is important to ensure that you are approaching teachers, mentors etc. that know you well. The LOR provides an insight into your personality, behaviors and work ethic and are crucial to your application. Dartmouth requires you to send recommendations from
Teacher – Required 2
High School Counsellor – Required
Other – Optional 2 (Example: Art teacher, Clergy, Coach, College Access Counselor, Employer, Family Member, Peer etc.)
You should approach your high school teachers several months in advance. Requesting a letter of recommendation from a teacher is a big ask—they’re busy and don’t get paid to write recommendations. Make it easy for your recommenders by giving them plenty of time, providing them with as much relevant information as possible.
7. Apply Early Action/Early Decision
Dartmouth’s Early Decision program is binding, meaning that if you are admitted, you are obligated to accept their offer of admission. The deadline for Dartmouth is 1st November. Dartmouth is “Need Blind”. This means that applications are reviewed and accepted based solely on a student's qualifications, and not on their ability to pay.
The primary criterion for admission to Dartmouth is academic excellence. Dartmouth values students who are committed, dedicated, passionate, have potential to succeed and those students with a genuine interest in expanding their intellectual horizon. Following the guidelines above will help you present your best self to Dartmouth College and maximize your admission chances.
EZ Scholar is a premium admissions consultancy and test prep organization which works with bright and ambitious students seeking admissions to Ivy Leagues, Oxbridge, and other top global universities. Our experts have mentored thousands of students with their profile building, research papers, extracurricular and co-curricular activities, test prep, and admissions essays.
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