Dartmouth is often described as the Ivy with the strongest community — and the most distinctive student experience. Here's what makes Dartmouth different and what it takes to be a competitive applicant.
Dartmouth Admissions Numbers
Dartmouth's Class of 2028 acceptance rate was approximately 6.2%. The middle 50% SAT range is approximately 1520–1580; ACT is 34–36. Dartmouth is highly selective but often perceived as slightly more accessible than Harvard, Yale, and Princeton — though the practical difference in competitiveness is minimal for most applicants.
The D-Plan: Dartmouth's Academic Signature
Dartmouth operates on a quarter system with four terms per year (fall, winter, spring, summer). Students typically take courses in three of the four terms each year, with one term "off campus." The D-Plan allows students to pursue internships, research, study abroad, or other experiential learning during their off terms. This flexibility is one of Dartmouth's most appealing features and should be referenced in a "Why Dartmouth" essay if you've thought carefully about how you'd use it.
Community and Alumni Loyalty
Dartmouth alumni are famous for their attachment to the college — Dartmouth consistently ranks among the top universities for alumni giving. This translates into strong networking: Dartmouth alumni tend to actively help fellow Dartmouth graduates, and the alumni network is tight-knit relative to Dartmouth's smaller size.
Setting and Culture
Dartmouth's campus in Hanover, New Hampshire is one of the most beautiful in the country — but it is also genuinely rural. Students who love the outdoors (skiing, hiking, kayaking), thrive in close communities, and want their college to feel like a place (not just a credential) often find Dartmouth the best fit of any Ivy.