Dartmouth College, in the small town of Hanover, New Hampshire, is the smallest of the Ivy League universities and is known for its close community and focus on undergraduate teaching. For the Class of 2030, Dartmouth received 28,863 applications and admitted 1,687 students, an admit rate of 5.8%. The admitted class came from all 50 US states and 59 other countries.
Since the Class of 2026, Dartmouth has been need-blind for all applicants, including international students, and it meets the full financial need of everyone it admits. Nobody can guarantee you a place, but here are 10 things you can do that make a real difference, based on Dartmouth’s own guidance. If you’re applying for a graduate degree instead, see the section near the end.
1. Build an excellent school record
Your grades in challenging courses are the foundation of your application. Take the most demanding courses your school offers, such as AP, IB, A levels or your national board’s advanced subjects, and aim for top marks. Your school sends a Secondary School Report with your transcript, school profile and counsellor evaluation, so admissions officers will see your results in the context of your school.
2. Take the SAT or ACT
Dartmouth requires the SAT or ACT. Take it by early November if you’re applying Early Decision, or by December for Regular Decision. AP, IB and other exam results are welcome but optional. Dartmouth was one of the first Ivy League universities to bring back required testing, because it found that scores helped it identify talented students, including those from less advantaged schools. Practise with our 50 free SAT practice tests and 50 free ACT practice tests.
3. Explain clearly “Why Dartmouth”
Dartmouth’s Writing Supplement includes a short question, usually 100 words, asking what draws you to Dartmouth’s academic programmes, community and campus, and two longer answers of up to 250 words chosen from a list of prompts. Generic answers won’t stand out. Mention specific things you’ve researched, such as the D-Plan (Dartmouth’s flexible year-round quarter system), particular departments or research opportunities, and the outdoor and community life in Hanover, and explain why they matter to you. Check the exact prompts in the Dartmouth section of the Common App.
4. Show who you are in your essays
Dartmouth values students who are curious, kind and engaged with the people around them. Use your Common App essay and supplement answers to show your personality and values, not just your achievements. Write about real moments and what you learned from them, and keep your writing simple, specific and honest.
5. Ask for a peer recommendation
Dartmouth is unusual because it recommends, but doesn’t require, a peer recommendation: a short letter from a friend or classmate who knows you well outside the classroom. It’s a chance for someone your age to describe your character and how you treat others. Choose someone who knows you well, not the most impressive person you know. You’ll also need two teacher evaluations and your counsellor’s evaluation.
6. Consider applying Early Decision
Dartmouth’s Early Decision deadline is 1 November, with decisions in mid-December. Early Decision is binding: if you’re admitted, you must attend and withdraw your other applications. Only choose it if Dartmouth is clearly your first choice and you’re comfortable with the aid it offers. The Regular Decision deadline is 1 January, with decisions in late March or early April. You can request an application fee waiver, and asking for one won’t affect your application. How to apply to Dartmouth.
7. Take the optional alumni interview if invited
Interviews aren’t required, but Dartmouth offers optional interviews with graduates. If you’re invited, you’ll be contacted in mid-November for Early Decision or between January and February for Regular Decision. It’s a friendly conversation, often online, about your interests and why you’re interested in Dartmouth. Prepare a couple of questions of your own.
8. Prove your English level
If English isn’t your first language and your school hasn’t taught in English for at least two years, Dartmouth requires an English proficiency test score. Aim well above the minimum: you’ll be studying and writing in English at a very high level. Practise with our free IELTS, TOEFL and PTE practice tests.
9. Apply for financial aid with confidence
Dartmouth’s aid is generous and the same for international students as for Americans:
- Admission is need-blind for all applicants, regardless of citizenship.
- Dartmouth meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students, and its aid never includes a required loan.
- Families earning under US$125,000 with typical assets have no parent contribution, and for the Class of 2030, families earning under US$175,000 qualified for free tuition.
Financial aid forms are due on 1 November for Early Decision and 1 February for Regular Decision. Try the quick MyinTuition calculator on Dartmouth’s affordability page to estimate your cost.
10. Plan your visa and your move to a small town
If you’re admitted, you’ll need an F-1 student visa, so book your US embassy appointment as early as you can. US student visa rules were changing in 2025 and 2026, so check Dartmouth’s Office of Visa and Immigration Services and the US embassy for the latest advice. Also think about life in Hanover: it’s a small, rural town with cold, snowy winters and a strong outdoor culture, which many students love, but it’s very different from a big city.
Applying for a graduate degree at Dartmouth?
Dartmouth’s graduate schools include the Tuck School of Business, the Thayer School of Engineering, the Geisel School of Medicine and the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. Each runs its own admissions with its own requirements and deadlines. Most programmes ask for a strong first degree, a statement of purpose, recommendations and, for some, the GRE or GMAT, plus an English test for international applicants. See our 50 sample SOPs and free GRE and GMAT practice tests.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
Dartmouth turns down thousands of strong students every year, simply because there are far more excellent applicants than places. Apply if you want to, but also apply to universities where your chances are good. Read our guides to the other Ivy League universities, including Brown, Cornell and Princeton. Our guide to studying in the USA explains how US universities work, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from Dartmouth’s official admissions and financial aid pages and Dartmouth News, and checked in October 2026. Admissions rules, deadlines, aid policies and visa rules can change, so always confirm the details on Dartmouth’s admissions website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with Dartmouth College.