Imagine a place where you can hit the slopes in the morning and hit the books in the afternoon. That’s Dartmouth for you.
Nestled in the picturesque town of Hanover, New Hampshire, Dartmouth offers a unique blend of rigorous academics and outdoor adventures. Despite being one of the smallest Ivy League schools, Dartmouth should not be overlooked. Let’s take a closer look at every part of Dartmouth – from admissions to inside and out of the classroom!
Grab your snow skis and your backpack because we are going down the slopes to become Dartmouth experts! Let’s begin with a look into Dartmouth’s home and their academic programs:
Hanover, New Hampshire, is a quintessential New England town. Its charm and slow pace of life provide a perfect backdrop for Ivy League academic pursuits. The town offers a variety of restaurants, shops, and outdoor activities, making it an ideal location for students who enjoy a balance of study and recreation. If you don’t believe how close Dartmouth is to nature sites, Dartmouth’s Latin motto, “Vox clamantis in deserto” translates into “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness!”
Dartmouth Trivia: Do you know what Dartmouth’s mascot is? This is actually a trick question, because Dartmouth doesn’t have an official school mascot!
Dartmouth is composed of several schools that cater to a variety of academic interests. The undergraduate college offers over 40 departments and interdisciplinary programs. The Geisel School of Medicine, the Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business are renowned for their graduate programs.
The Ivy League stands proud of its broad range of course offerings, and Dartmouth is not an exception. Even though the U.S. top majors change frequently, each program remains at the top of their field. Dartmouth is known for its strong programs in Economics, Government, Engineering, and Environmental Studies. The Tuck School of Business is particularly notable – it consistently ranks among the top business schools in the world. The college's liberal arts curriculum encourages interdisciplinary study, preparing students for diverse career paths.
Most Popular Majors:
Insider Tip: Did you know that you are able to develop your own Custom Major at Dartmouth? With Dartmouth’s special D-Plan, students can fulfill their graduation requirements through multiple different programs and departments. Keep reading to learn more about the D-plan.
One of the most unique aspects of Dartmouth is the D-Plan, its flexible academic calendar. This quarter-system allows students to customize their academic schedules, taking advantage of off-campus internships, research, and study abroad programs. Imagine being able to apply for internships during the year when other students are in school full-time. Now you can!
The D-Plan lets you tailor your education to your interests and career goals. It offers unparalleled flexibility and opportunities. No other Ivy League school offers this type of flexibility in registration and scheduling.
No two D-plans are the same. How would you plan your academic schedule?
Here is an example look of what a student’s D-Plan might look like:
Year | Fall | Winter | Spring | Summer |
---|---|---|---|---|
2024-2025 | On (Resident) | On (Resident) | On (Resident) | Off (Leave) |
2025-2026 | On (Resident) | Off (Leave) | On (Resident) | On (Resident) |
2026-2027 | On (Resident) | Study Abroad | On (Resident) | On (Resident) |
2027-2028 | On (Resident) | On (Resident) | On (Resident) |
Every college has their own colors to represent their school pride, but do you know why Dartmouth’s color is forest green?
Here’s a hint: It is not because of the lush forests in Hanover! In fact, the story behind Dartmouth’s forest green is surprisingly simple. Back in 1866, forest green was the only color not used by another college, so Dartmouth claimed it as their own!
Dartmouth Trivia: Do you know what movie was based on a Dartmouth student’s experience in Greek life?
1771 - The year that Dartmouth’s first graduating class earned their diplomas! The Class of 1771 included just four students. Today, ~1,000 students graduate each year
1819 - Dartmouth College v. Woodward made its way to the United States Supreme Court. The highest court ruled that colleges are entitled to the same protections as individuals under the United States Constitution.
1960’s - Professor John Rassias developed the world famous Rassias Method for teaching foreign language that is still widely used today.
1970 - After 200 years, Dartmouth finally reinstalled its original mission to provide education to Indigenous groups by creating the first program of its kind.
2016 - Over the years, many Presidential Primary Debates have taken place on Dartmouth’s campus. This year marked the 14th time the debates took place on campus.
2024 - Sian Leah Beilock, the former President of Barnard College, was inaugurated as Dartmouth College’s first female President.
Dartmouth boasts an impressive list of alumni, including authors, politicians, business leaders, and scientists. The college’s alumni network is robust, offering current students and recent graduates numerous opportunities for mentorship, internships, and career advancement. Networking events and alumni clubs around the world help maintain strong connections within the Dartmouth community.
Dartmouth Trivia: Do you know which famous alumnus was busted for misconduct and adopted a pen name to continue writing for the college’s humor magazine?
Answer: Theodor Geisel – better known as Dr. Seuss – was busted for misconduct. But he adopted the pen name Seuss to continue writing for the college’s humor magazine!
There are hundreds of famous figures that you may not know are Dartmouth alumni. Here are some of them:
When you ask Dartmouth students to name their favorite parts of their Ivy League experience, the same answers emerge!
Favorite Parts of Dartmouth - From a Student’s Perspective
Dartmouth is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of around 6.4%. The admissions process is holistic. It looks beyond test scores and GPAs to understand each applicant’s potential, character, and fit with Dartmouth’s community. Strong essays, recommendations, and extracurricular achievements are crucial.
Important Update: Starting with the Class of 2029, Dartmouth will once again require students to submit their test scores, allowing students to choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. The average SAT score is around 1500, and the average ACT score is 34.
Worried about your test scores - resources are available to be well-prepared for the upcoming test dates for both the ACT and SAT.
Dartmouth is one of the most sought-after schools in the US, and for good reason. Its picturesque campus, flexible schedule, and Ivy League status drive its single-digit admissions rates.
But with Crimson's help, students are 5.6x more likely to get into Dartmouth. Our proven strategy for success includes:
With our expertise and resources, we help students stand out to top universities like Dartmouth. They tell compelling stories that resonate with admissions officers.
Book a free consultation to start building your application for acceptance for Dartmouth!
Additional Resources:
VIDEO: How Ryan Got into Dartmouth
BLOG: Dartmouth's Acceptance Rate
SAT Practice Test: Free SAT Practice Test
Navigating College Admissions + Dartmouth