How To Get Into Dartmouth

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How To Get Into Dartmouth
Smiling medical team standing together outside a hospital

While I thought about focusing on Dartmouth’s state-of-the-art laboratories for my scientific research, or how it’s consistently the number one school for scientific patents, I realized there were many aspects of Dartmouth’s culture and community that align with my passions for scientific research and climate activism. That’s why I’m so excited to explore the Upper Valley with courses that both track climate change in the region and search for community-based solutions to these growing problems. As a city boy, I can’t wait to call the Upper Valley Land Trust my new home for research and political organizing.

How to Get Into Dartmouth Guide

How to Get Into Dartmouth

Dartmouth College is a private Ivy League research university located in Hanover, New Hampshire. It was founded in 1769, making it the ninth-oldest higher education institution in the United States. This liberal arts college is home to over 40 academic departments and over 4,000 undergraduate students.

In this How to Get Into Dartmouth guide, we’ll cover:

  • Dartmouth average GPA
  • Optimal Dartmouth SAT scores
  • Dartmouth acceptance rate
  • Dartmouth application deadline
  • Details on Dartmouth Early Decision
  • Tips for Dartmouth supplemental essays
  • Dartmouth interview, and more.

If you’re wondering how to get into Dartmouth, the answer is: submit a strong application. While there are no guarantees in the admissions process, creating an application that showcases who you are at your best and what you’d bring to Dartmouth will give you your best shot.

We know there are many things to consider during the application process, including the Dartmouth average GPA, Dartmouth SAT scores, the Dartmouth supplemental essays, and the Dartmouth interview. If you’re not sure where to start, our How to Get Into Dartmouth guide will give you stats like the Dartmouth acceptance rate, information about Dartmouth Early Decision, important dates like the Dartmouth application deadline, and tips on everything you need to do to be a strong candidate.

Figuring out how to get into Dartmouth takes strategy. We can help. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes Dartmouth graduates. Want to maximize your Dartmouth admissions odds? Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

How do I get into Dartmouth?

When thinking about how to get into Dartmouth, know that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Admissions looks for more than students who will boost the Dartmouth average GPA or fall into the average Dartmouth SAT scores. Instead, they want students who will contribute something unique to their campus, whether that be their passion, background, or perspective.

So, don’t get caught up in trying to be the perfect candidate—the perfect candidate doesn’t exist. Your greatest asset in the application process is your ability to use each part of your application to tell your story (and don’t forget to submit your application by the Dartmouth application deadline!).

To get into Dartmouth, you need to apply using the Common Application. If you aren’t already familiar with the platform, check out our Guide to the Common App to find useful tips.

How hard is it to get into Dartmouth College?

The Dartmouth acceptance rate is 9%, ranking it among the most selective schools in the U.S.

Because Dartmouth went test-optional for the last admissions cycle, their standardized testing data is based on the Class of 2024. The mid 50% range of Dartmouth SAT scores was 710-770 for SAT Critical Reading and 730-790 for SAT Math. That means the range of composite Dartmouth SAT scores was 1440-1560. The mid 50% range of Dartmouth ACT scores was 32-35.

If you want to know how to get into Dartmouth, keep in mind that Ivy League schools should be considered “reach” schools for any student. Even if you meet the Dartmouth average GPA or the Dartmouth SAT scores, most other applicants will have similar credentials.

As with other Ivy League schools, the admissions process is extremely competitive. Give yourself plenty of time ahead of the Dartmouth application deadline to familiarize yourself with Dartmouth Admissions and understand how you can stand out.

What is the average GPA for Dartmouth College?

When researching the Dartmouth average GPA, you may find some conflicting numbers. Admissions does not report the Dartmouth average GPA of their admitted students. However, 95% of Dartmouth students from high schools that report class rankings were in the top 10% of their class. So, we can assume the Dartmouth average GPA is quite high.

While there is no minimum GPA required to be admitted to Dartmouth, a strong GPA shows that you’ve worked hard and done well in your high school courses. It, therefore, indicates that you will continue to be successful in college.

By the time you start thinking about how to get into Dartmouth, your GPA might already be well established. If your GPA doesn’t align with the Dartmouth average GPA, strong test scores will help round out your application. If your GPA is lower due to challenging courses, Admissions will take into consideration the rigor of your courses and general trends in your grades. Additionally, if you’ve struggled with your grades due to extenuating circumstances, you can share this in the “Additional Information” section of your application.

What does the Dartmouth College application look like?

When researching how to get into Dartmouth, make sure you take time to learn about the application requirements well before the Dartmouth application deadline.

If you are applying through Regular Decision, the Dartmouth application deadline is January 3 rd . However, if Dartmouth is your first choice, you should consider applying by the Dartmouth Early Decision deadline on November 1 st .

No matter whether you decide to apply for Dartmouth Early Decision or stick to the January Dartmouth application deadline, the requirements for your application are the same. Here is a checklist of materials you need to include in your application:

  • Application fee or fee waiver
  • Common Application
  • Dartmouth supplemental essays
  • Secondary school report
  • Two teacher evaluations
  • SAT/ACT (optional)
  • Peer recommendation (optional)

It is important to note that sending Dartmouth SAT scores or ACT scores is optional for the Class of 2026. If you choose not to submit your test scores, Admissions may rely more on your GPA and course load to determine your academic fit.

While the peer recommendation is also optional, it is strongly recommended for all applicants. This is a statement of support written by one of your peers (a classmate, teammate, sibling, friend, etc.) who can attest to why you belong at Dartmouth.

What extracurriculars do I need for Dartmouth?

Extracurriculars are a vital part of your application narrative. Quality is more important than quantity when thinking about how to get into Dartmouth. Your extracurriculars show Dartmouth what you care about and who you are outside of the classroom.

If you are a high school junior or senior worried about not having the right extracurriculars, don’t stress yourself out by signing up for activities you don’t like. Admissions wants to see your dedication and growth in a few chosen activities—not a laundry list of low-commitment resume builders.

If there is a club or sport you really enjoy, see if there’s a way for you to take on a leadership role or complete an independent project. Also, remember that your extracurriculars don’t have to be school-related. Playing an instrument, having a job, and teaching yourself a new skill all count as extracurriculars, so long as you dedicate your time to these activities.

What is the acceptance rate for Dartmouth?

When considering how to get into Dartmouth, the first thing that might come to mind is the Dartmouth acceptance rate. The Dartmouth acceptance rate for the Class of 2025 was 6.2%.

Of those accepted students, 46% applied through Dartmouth Early Decision. The 2026 Dartmouth acceptance rate for Dartmouth Early Decision applicants was 21%. Out of 2,633 applicants, 530 students were accepted.

The Dartmouth Early Decision acceptance rate is significantly higher than the Regular Decision Dartmouth acceptance rate. However, it is important to remember that Dartmouth Early Decision applicants include their recruited Division 1 athletes. Most of the other applicants also have excellent GPAs and test scores. So, although the Dartmouth acceptance rate for ED is higher, it is still extremely competitive. However, if Dartmouth is your first choice, applying through Dartmouth Early Decision is the best way to maximize your chances of admission.

Does Dartmouth college require interviews?

When researching how to get into Dartmouth, you may find yourself wondering about the Dartmouth interview process. Dartmouth does not require an interview as part of the application process. Depending on availability, you may be invited to a Dartmouth interview once your application has been received.

If you aren’t offered a Dartmouth interview, don’t panic. Not every student is invited to a Dartmouth interview, and not having one will not hurt you in the admissions process. If you are invited to a Dartmouth interview, check out these Dartmouth interview tips to learn what to expect.

Tips for writing the Dartmouth application essays

One of the most important elements of your “how to get into Dartmouth” strategy is how you complete the Dartmouth supplemental essays. While your GPA, test scores, transcript, and extracurriculars are all important, your Personal Statement and Dartmouth supplemental essays are the only time that Dartmouth gets to hear your voice. This is your opportunity to showcase your personality, passion, humor, curiosity, beliefs, and perspective.

No matter how long or short the Dartmouth supplemental essays are, it is important you take the time to fully answer the prompts. This ensures you give Dartmouth the information they asked for and also shows that you can answer a specific question and remain on topic.

Additionally, it is important you keep your audience in mind. The Dartmouth supplemental essay prompts are designed to help Admissions understand what kind of student you would be at Dartmouth. To prepare, think about everything you might want to share with an alumnus during a Dartmouth interview and put it down on paper.

Check out our Dartmouth Supplemental Essays Guide for a more in-depth look at how to approach the Dartmouth supplemental essay prompts.

How does Dartmouth College review applications?

Dartmouth uses a holistic application review process. This means no one factor will determine your acceptance to Dartmouth. Although your grades and test scores are all important to your “how to get into Dartmouth” plan, Admissions knows you are more than a collection of numbers, classes, and extracurriculars. Your application is Dartmouth’s chance to understand who you are and what you care about.

Additionally, Dartmouth will consider how you’ve performed in school within the context of your life. This means they’ll consider how factors like your socioeconomic status, the types of courses your school offers, and your school’s grading and ranking practices affect your application. Admissions knows your background and experiences help shape who you are, so they will take them into consideration.

Does Dartmouth look at my social media accounts?

When researching how to get into Dartmouth, you may be wondering if your social media presence is part of the review process. The answer is no, your social media accounts are not part of Dartmouth’s admissions process.

However, it is important to remember that once you post something online, it becomes public information. Although Dartmouth is unlikely to seek out applicants’ social media accounts, anything you post may influence their admissions decisions if something concerning comes to their attention. As a good rule of thumb, don’t post anything online you wouldn’t want a future professor or employer to see.

Is Dartmouth a good school for me?

In order to help Admissions imagine how you’d succeed at Dartmouth, it is important that you can imagine yourself thriving there. Before you build your “how to get into Dartmouth” strategy, you should think about if Dartmouth is a good school for you (especially if you are applying to Dartmouth Early Decision, as it is a binding commitment).

If you are unable to visit Dartmouth in person, don’t worry. Many students apply to colleges without having the opportunity to visit them first. Our Dartmouth College Breakdown not only provides information like the Dartmouth acceptance rate and the Dartmouth application deadline, but also information and an overall grade for academics, athletics, diversity, and value.

Although Dartmouth is a prestigious school, that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. Choosing a college is a decision only you can make. If you are on the fence about Dartmouth, remember that every current Dartmouth student was once in your shoes. Take some time to visit Dartmouth’s People Places Pines page to hear from current students about their life at Dartmouth and how they navigated the application process.

Additional tips to get into Dartmouth College

1. Connect with your teachers

Besides your Dartmouth supplemental essays and your Common App, you’ll need two teacher evaluations to complete your application. Building relationships with your junior and senior year teachers will not only help you succeed in your classes but will make asking them for a recommendation easier. Make sure your recommenders know you well and have a personal interest in you as a student. Finally, reach out to your recommenders well in advance of the Dartmouth application deadline.

2. Play to your strengths

The application process tests students in a lot of ways. Admissions wants to see how you perform in the classroom, in standardized tests, and in your writing. The holistic review process means Admissions will think big-picture, so make sure you’re shining where you know you can shine. For example, if you don’t think you can reach the average Dartmouth SAT scores, then strive to write amazing Dartmouth supplemental essays that show your other skills. Every part of your application counts, and you never know what might tip the scale in your favor.

3. Start research early

It is never too early to start thinking about your college applications. The Common App goes live on August 1 st , five months ahead of the Regular Decision Dartmouth application deadline. If you are someone who procrastinates or needs a longer writing process, start your research early. Rather than fixating on statistics like the Dartmouth average GPA, Dartmouth SAT scores, or the Dartmouth acceptance rate, give yourself time to explore what Dartmouth has to offer, what kind of values they build their education on, and what kind of students are happy there. Before you ask yourself “how to get into Dartmouth,” ask yourself why Dartmouth is the school for you. Then, by the time you start writing your Dartmouth supplemental essays, you’ll know why you’re writing them.

It would be great if the answer to “how to get into Dartmouth” was as simple as submitting your Dartmouth supplemental essays by the Dartmouth application deadline, getting a Dartmouth interview, and you’re in. However, there are no guarantees in college admissions. All you can do is submit the strongest application you can. Don’t stress yourself out comparing your stats to the Dartmouth average GPA or Dartmouth SAT scores. Focus on who you are and put as much of yourself as you can down on paper. Take your time, get a second pair of eyes to look over everything, and good luck!

How To Get Into Dartmouth

This guide was written by Stefanie Tedards. If you want to know how to get into Dartmouth, we’ve got you covered. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes Dartmouth graduates. Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

How to Get Into Dartmouth: Strategies and Essays That Worked

How hard is it to get into Dartmouth? Learn the Dartmouth acceptance rate and admissions requirements, plus strategies for conquering the Dartmouth supplemental essays

How To Get Into Dartmouth

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Dartmouth admission requirements

Part 3: Applying to Dartmouth early decision vs. regular decision

Part 4: 2023–2024 Dartmouth supplemental essays (examples included)

Part 1: Introduction

Most Ivy League institutions are large research universities located in cities along the Eastern seaboard—but one of the most prestigious lies deep in the New Hampshire wilderness. If your child is an Ivy-competitive college applicant hoping for a small student body and a large forested campus, Dartmouth College might be the right place for them.

Getting into Dartmouth requires more than the generic drive to attend an Ivy. If you want to know how to get into Dartmouth, begin by learning about the school’s unique academic and social culture, including the Dartmouth Flexible Study Plan and countless traditions such as the community’s love of the outdoors.

Dartmouth’s unique year-round calendar of four 10-week terms allows students to decide when they want to study, research, and work throughout their undergraduate career. In this flexible study plan, called the Dartmouth Plan or D-Plan for short, students can pursue internship and research opportunities any time of year, giving them a competitive advantage over other college students following a traditional schedule.

Your child could spend their winter conducting seasonally specific ecological research in Costa Rica and return to Dartmouth for spring and summer to continue the same research in one of Dartmouth’s state-of-the-art laboratories. They could work on a Texas congressional campaign leading up to a November election and return to campus in time to ski with the student government association.

No matter where the D-Plan takes your child, each matriculating class at Dartmouth reconvenes on campus for the Sophomore Summer program, what Dartmouth calls the “epicenter” of their educational model. Each summer, Dartmouth gives its campus over to rising juniors as they declare their majors and map out research projects for the remainder of the undergraduate studies. During that season, rising juniors have exclusive access to faculty and subject-area librarians.

If your child is interested in Dartmouth, they can also look forward its outdoorsy, sporty culture (about 25 percent of students are NCAA Division 1 athletes).

They should also be aware of the dominance of Greek life on campus—the comedy “Animal House” was inspired by a Dartmouth fraternity, though these days students say there are more alternatives to a Greek-dominated system. Indeed, Dartmouth’s attention to its small but vocal cohort of Native American students, and its Native American Studies major, is one indication of the school’s awareness of diversity.

In election years, Dartmouth hosts a major debate for presidential nominees thanks to its New Hampshire location, the first-in-the-nation primary state for national elections. Dartmouth attributes this tradition with inspiring many of its graduates to pursue careers in journalism and politics. Notable Dartmouth alums have gone on to become U.S. Supreme Court justices, U.S. senators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, national news anchors, celebrity chefs, and comedians.

Dartmouth College ranking

  • Forbes: 16
  • Niche: 8
  • U.S. News & World Report: 12
  • Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education: 39

Where is Dartmouth?

Dartmouth is in Hanover, New Hampshire, deep in the scenic Upper Connecticut River Valley. Hanover is a quintessential New England college town, dotted with cute restaurants and bakeries, and beautiful bookstores. The town also hosts a major teaching hospital, an art scene with world-class museums and performance spaces, and a growing high-tech sector, thanks to Dartmouth’s draw as a top research university.

Nestled between the White Mountains and the Green Mountains, Hanover is a perfect basecamp for skiing in the winter. In the summer, canoeing and kayaking are popular on the Connecticut River that runs just next to town.

Dartmouth College setting

Dartmouth rural setting lives up to the school’s motto Vox clamantis in deserto, which translates to “a voice crying out in the wilderness.” Dartmouth is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful colleges in America. The 269-acre campus coalesces on the five-acre Dartmouth Green, surrounded by academic buildings in its signature Georgian colonial architecture. The Green is Dartmouth’s community hub, hosting such campus traditions as the Winter Carnival and a weekly farmer’s market.

If a 269-acre campus isn’t enough, Dartmouth also owns a large portion of Mount Moosilauke in New Hampshire’s famous White Mountains and 27,000 acres of northern New Hampshire known as the Second College Grant.

Proud of its deep connection with nature, Dartmouth has the oldest and largest collegiate outdoors club in the nation, aptly named The Outing Club. Students often spend their spare time hiking, camping, and skiing in the nearby mountains. The Appalachian Trail runs right through the middle of campus.

Dartmouth student population

  • Undergrad population: 4,170
  • Grad and professional school population: 2,122

Dartmouth acceptance rate

Here are the admissions statistics for Dartmouth’s class of 2026:

  • Applications: 28,336
  • Acceptances: 1,808
  • Matriculants: 1,125
  • Acceptance rate: 6.4%

Dartmouth tuition and scholarships

In 2023–2024, Dartmouth’s cost of attendance (i.e., tuition, room, board, and fees) lands at $87,793.

Dartmouth promises to meet 100 percent of students’ demonstrated need, and students whose families earn under $125,000 per year typically get their entire cost of attendance covered without loans. Among the class of 2026, 56 percent received some amount of financial aid—the average award was $67,127.

Who gets into Dartmouth?

To get a sense of what it takes to join Dartmouth’s next incoming class, let’s take a look at the admissions and demographic statistics for the class of 2026:

Note: The standardized test scores below are for the class of 2024, which is the most recent year scores were required to be submitted.

  • 95% ranked in the top 10% of their high school class.
  • Average high school GPA: Like most of the Ivy League, Dartmouth does not report the GPAs of admitted students. Their admissions team reviews applications holistically, without a minimum GPA requirement, though they mention that a strong GPA is one indicator for success at Dartmouth.
  • Dartmouth average ACT score: 33
    • 25th percentile: 32
    • 75th percentile: 35
    • 25th percentile: 710
    • 75th percentile: 770
    • 25th percentile: 730
    • 75th percentile: 790

    Part 2: Dartmouth admission requirements

    Dartmouth academic requirements

    Like most other Ivy League and Ivy+ schools, Dartmouth practices what it calls “holistic admissions,” meaning they look at each applicant comprehensively and not as a sum of their grades, test scores, and class rankings.

    Dartmouth doesn’t have a particular set of coursework required, but they seek out students who have taken advantage of the most challenges courses and activities available to them. In order to fully appreciate each applicant, the school also takes their socioeconomic status into account, as well as their particular school’s course offerings and grading and ranking practices.

    That said, if your child is planning to major in a STEM discipline, Dartmouth recommends that they complete the following coursework at minimum:

    • English: 4 years with a preference for writing-intensive literature courses
    • Mathematics: 4 years, through calculus for students interested in engineering and the STEM disciplines
    • History and social science: 3 years
    • Science: 3 years of laboratory science with 4 years including physics for students considering engineering
    • Foreign language: 3 years of a single language (ancient or modern) with 4 preferred

    Dartmouth application requirements

    We’ve provided a list of Dartmouth’s application requirements to save you the headache of hunting them down. They include:

    • Common App Essay
    • Dartmouth Writing Supplement
    • Optional in 2023–2024: SAT or ACT
    • 2 teacher letters of recommendation
    • Secondary school report, transcript, school profile, and counselor evaluation submitted by your child’s guidance counselor
    • Peer recommendation (strongly recommended but not required): a written statement of support from someone who the applicant considers a “peer,” like a classmate or teammate, sibling, co-worker, friend, lab or debate partner.
    • Optional: Supplemental materials like resumes, art portfolios, or newspaper articles about your child

    Part 3: Applying to Dartmouth early decision vs. regular decision

    Dartmouth’s deadline for early decision is November 1st and admissions decisions are mailed out in mid-December. Dartmouth’s early decision admission is restrictive, so students who apply this way are committed to attending Dartmouth if they are admitted, barring extenuating circumstances like unanticipated financial hardship.

    Regular decision applications are due January 2nd and applicants receive their results by late March or early April.

    Though early decision candidates are accepted at a significantly higher rate, the majority of Dartmouth’s incoming class is still admitted regular decision.

    How do you know if your child should apply to Dartmouth early decision?

    If Dartmouth is your child’s clear first choice for college, and their application is completely ready by November 1st, then they should apply early decision.

    If your child needs their first semester of senior year to bulk up their grades, test scores, or achievements outside of school, or they’re not entirely sure that Dartmouth is the school for them, they should wait and apply regular decision in January.

    Part 4: 2023–2024 Dartmouth supplemental essays (examples included)

    (Note: While this section covers Dartmouth’s admissions essays specifically, we encourage you to view additional successful college essay examples.)

    Like other Ivy League and Ivy+ schools, Dartmouth requires three supplemental essays to make sure that applicants are the best fit for the particular culture of the school: the first is a very short essay that every applicant must answer, the second is a fairly standard essay, and the third is chosen from five options provided.

    Your child should remember what makes Dartmouth unique: The D-Plan, its signature flexible plan of study, its proud school traditions like the Winter Carnival and the Dartmouth Powwow, and its connection to the natural world.

    These supplements are also an opportunity for your child to tell Dartmouth what makes them unique in ways that don’t necessarily translate on a transcript or a list of extracurriculars—and how these experiences, identities, or philosophies might thrive at Dartmouth specifically.

    Meet three Dartmouth applicants closely based on students we’ve worked with:

    • Leena is interested in the intersection of art, technology, and culture. She set up a series of art installations around her hometown of Portland, Oregon last summer, and created a mirror image of these installations in Kerala, India, where her extended family lives. She’s interested in film and media studies but wants to create a custom major.
    • Roberto is interested in both science and the arts. He started performing stand-up comedy last year in his city, Los Angeles, CA., and also volunteers at UCLA Medical Center. He plans to pursue a materials science or engineering sciences major but wants to supplement physical sciences with social sciences and cultural studies.
    • Angela became interested in journalism after investigating the school system in her small town in rural Tennessee. For the exceptional work on her school newspaper, she received a scholarship to the School of the New York Times last summer. As a member of the Cherokee Nation, she is also interested in the Native American Studies Program.

    Dartmouth supplemental essay 1

    Prompt: Dartmouth celebrates the ways in which its profound sense of place informs its profound sense of purpose. As you seek admission to Dartmouth’s Class of 2028, what aspects of the College’s academic program, community, and/or campus environment attract your interest? In short, why Dartmouth? (100 words or less)

    This is a very common question that applicants see from many universities. Students have the opportunity to convey exactly what they value about Dartmouth, beyond its prestigious status. Is it a specific program of study? A Dartmouth tradition they can’t wait to participate in? A corner of the campus they found particularly inviting during a campus visit? To stand out, your child should always research the school and be as specific as possible.

    Since this is the shortest essay, and the one that most directly focuses on Dartmouth, we’ve provided examples from each of our example applicants. Here’s Leena’s answer:

    In my artistic practice, I’m preoccupied with space—how objects interact with their environment. When I visited Dartmouth’s campus last summer, all I could think about was how the school interacted with the nature that surrounds it. How the campus and the historic Appalachian Trail occupy the same physical space—the beauty of the trees so different than my homes in Portland and Kerala. I became so excited to see how my art installations interact with and reflect Dartmouth’s unique intersection of intellect and the natural world. I can’t wait to work in these spaces and be a part of them.

    Why is Leena’s essay strong?

    • She shows continuity and growth in a specific context. Leena demonstrates her enthusiasm for Dartmouth’s culture by envisioning how she will continue her current artistic practice there. Dartmouth is proud of its commitment to nature and Leena uses that to her advantage.

    This is how Roberto responded:

    While I thought about focusing on Dartmouth’s state-of-the-art laboratories for my scientific research, or how it’s consistently the number one school for scientific patents, I realized there were many aspects of Dartmouth’s culture and community that align with my passions for scientific research and climate activism. That’s why I’m so excited to explore the Upper Valley with courses that both track climate change in the region and search for community-based solutions to these growing problems. As a city boy, I can’t wait to call the Upper Valley Land Trust my new home for research and political organizing.

    • He demonstrates he’s really done his research on the school. Roberto uses a strategy of “while I could talk about x and y, I am going to focus on z” to show that he has dedicated time to learning all he can about Dartmouth and how its facilities fit into his interests and career goals.

    And here’s Angela’s essay:

    So far, my experience with Native American culture has been limited to family reunions, where everyone is some part Cherokee. Attending Dartmouth would give me an unparalleled opportunity to connect with other Native students from tribes all around the country, learning and collaborating with students who, unlike me, had experiences of growing up in Native communities. No other university would come close to the education in Native American Studies, from the classroom to the Dartmouth Powwow, that I could experience at Dartmouth.

    • She focuses on something that only Dartmouth can offer her. Angela uses her essay to home in on a part of Dartmouth that both academically and culturally is not offered at other similar schools, underscoring why she wants to go to Dartmouth and not just any Ivy.

    Dartmouth supplemental essay 2

    Prompt: Required of all applicants, please respond to one of the following prompts in 250 words or fewer:

    A. There is a Quaker saying: Let your life speak. Describe the environment in which you were raised and the impact it has had on the person you are today.

    B. “Be yourself,” Oscar Wilde advised. “Everyone else is taken.” Introduce yourself.

    Dartmouth supplemental essay 3

    Prompt: Required of all applicants, please respond to one of the following prompts in 250 words or fewer:

    A. What excites you?

    B. Labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta recommended a life of purpose. “We must use our lives to make the world a better place to live, not just to acquire things,” she said. “That is what we are put on the earth for.” In what ways do you hope to make—or are you already making—an impact? Why? How?

    C. Dr. Seuss, aka Theodor Geisel of Dartmouth’s Class of 1925, wrote, “Think and wonder. Wonder and think.” As you wonder and think, what’s on your mind?

    D. Celebrate your nerdy side.

    E. “It’s not easy being green…” was the frequent refrain of Kermit the Frog. How has difference been a part of your life, and how have you embraced it as part of your identity and outlook?

    F. As noted in the College’s mission statement, “Dartmouth educates the most promising students and prepares them for a lifetime of learning and of responsible leadership…” Promise and potential are important aspects of the assessment of any college application, but they can be elusive qualities to capture. Highlight your potential and promise for us; what would you like us to know about you?

Maddie Otto

By Maddie Otto

Maddie is a second-year medical student at the University of Notre Dame in Sydney and one of Level Medicine’s workshop project managers. Prior to studying medicine, she worked and studied as a musician in Melbourne. She has a background in community arts, which combined her love for both the arts and disability support. She is an advocate for intersectional gender equity, and is passionate about accessibility and inclusive practice within the healthcare system.