How to Get Into Dartmouth College
Complete guide to admission requirements, essays, deadlines, and tips for success
Quick Overview
Dartmouth College is one of the most selective universities in the United States, with an acceptance rate of 6.2%. Founded in 1769, the university is located in Hanover, New Hampshire and currently enrolls ~4,400 undergraduates.
Getting into Dartmouth College requires exceptional academic performance, meaningful extracurricular involvement, and compelling essays that demonstrate your unique perspective and potential for contribution to the university community.
Academic Requirements
GPA Requirements
Most successful applicants have a GPA in this range or higher
Test Scores
Remember: While these statistics provide guidance, Dartmouth College uses holistic admissions. Strong essays, recommendations, and extracurriculars can significantly impact your application.
Application Essays
Key Essay Prompts:
- "Why Dartmouth?"
- "Labor of Love"
- "What excites you?"
Essay Tips: Focus on authenticity and specific examples. Show, don't tell your story. Connect your experiences to your potential contributions at Dartmouth College.
Application Deadlines
Tips for Success
- Show fit with Dartmouth's tight-knit community culture
- Demonstrate outdoor interests and adventurous spirit
- Highlight collaborative and leadership experiences
- Emphasize the Quarter System and D-Plan flexibility
- Show school spirit and community engagement
- Connect goals to Dartmouth's alumni network
What Makes a Strong Applicant
Quick Links
Popular Majors
- Economics
- Government
- History
- Psychology
- English
Notable Alumni
- Mindy Kaling (Actress/Writer)
- Timothy Geithner (Former Treasury Secretary)
- Shonda Rhimes (Television producer)
- Nelson Rockefeller (Former Vice President)
- Dr. Seuss (Author)
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Start Your JourneyFrequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Dartmouth College?
Dartmouth College has an acceptance rate of 6.2%, making it one of the most selective universities in the United States. This means that for every 100 applications, only about 6 are accepted.
What GPA do you need for Dartmouth College?
Most successful applicants to Dartmouth College have a 4.0+ (weighted). However, Dartmouth College uses holistic admissions, meaning they consider all aspects of your application including essays, extracurriculars, and recommendations.
What SAT scores do you need for Dartmouth College?
The middle 50% SAT range for Dartmouth College is 1440-1560. The university is currently test-optional, meaning you can choose whether or not to submit test scores.
When are Dartmouth College application deadlines?
Application deadlines for Dartmouth College are: Early Decision: November 1, Early Action: November 1, Regular Decision: January 2. Make sure to submit all materials before these dates.
What makes a strong applicant to Dartmouth College?
Strong Dartmouth College applicants typically demonstrate strong academics with leadership experience, fit with collaborative, tight-knit community, outdoor interests and adventurous spirit, among other qualities. The university values students who will contribute meaningfully to their community.