Read our guide to learn how to get into Dartmouth with an application strategy that competes with thousands of applicants.
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Our acceptance rate at Dartmouth is 31%
The acceptance rate at Dartmouth is 6.03%. In the Class of 2029, 28,230 students applied, and only 1,702 were accepted. That means your odds of getting into Dartmouth are roughly 6 in 100.
Here is a table showing how Dartmouth’s acceptance rate has fluctuated over the past four admissions cycles.
| Year | Number of Students Applied | Number of Students Admitted | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | 28,230 | 1,702 | 6.03% |
| 2023-2024 | 28,841 | 1,797 | 6.23% |
| 2022-2023 | 28,336 | 1,808 | 6.38% |
| 2021-2022 | 28,356 | 1,750 | 6.17% |
Dartmouth’s acceptance rates over the past four admissions cycles have remained relatively consistent. However, the 2024-2025 admissions cycle had the lowest acceptance rate at 6.03%, which suggests that Dartmouth is getting more difficult to get into.
The Early Decision (ED) acceptance rate at Dartmouth is approximately 17%, according to the Class of 2028. In this admissions cycle, Dartmouth received 3,550 ED applications and accepted an estimated 600 students.
The ED acceptance rate is significantly higher than the overall acceptance rate of 6.03%, reflecting the advantage of applying early to Dartmouth.
It’s very difficult to get into Dartmouth due to the 6.03% acceptance rate. In the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, 93.97% of applicants were rejected. Dartmouth could fill its incoming class more than 16 times over with qualified applicants.
Take our interactive quiz below to find out if you will get into Dartmouth.
Here are the GPA and SAT/ACT requirements to get into Dartmouth. To find these numbers, we looked at the average statistics of Dartmouth’s 2028 Class Profile.
The average GPA at Dartmouth is 3.9. While Dartmouth doesn't officially publish average GPA data, 95% of admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class, and roughly 25% are valedictorians, indicating near-perfect academic records with strong course rigor.
The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the average GPA of U.S. high school students is 3.0. This means that students admitted to Dartmouth achieve almost a full letter grade higher than the average high school student.
The average SAT score of admitted students at Dartmouth College is 1483. Compared to the national average SAT score of 1050, admitted students to Dartmouth score approximately 433 points higher than the typical U.S. test-taker.
A 1483 SAT score places you in the top 3% of test-takers nationwide, according to College Board data. That reflects the academic strength of Dartmouth’s incoming class and the high standards expected of applicants.
To be a competitive candidate, aim for a score of 1500 or above to stand out with an above-average SAT score.
The average ACT score of admitted students at Dartmouth College is 33. In comparison, the national average ACT score is 19.4, meaning admitted students to Dartmouth score nearly 14 points higher than the typical test-taker.
A 33 ACT score places students in the top 2% of test-takers nationwide, underscoring Dartmouth’s highly selective academic standards.
To remain competitive, applicants should aim for a 33 or higher, with a 34–35 score being the ideal number.
Dartmouth looks for students who provide a combination of qualities, experiences, and a unique point of view that isn't shared by any other student. The admissions team values applicants who rank in the top 10% of their high school class, possess strong writing skills, and have a clear sense of purpose.
In a recent webinar with Quad Education, Dominique Dadekian, a former admissions officer at Dartmouth, emphasizes that Dartmouth looks for genuine passion, not performative achievements crafted to impress.
“Do not try to fit into any sort of mold or try to make yourself seem like something that you’re not. The most impressive candidates are super self-assured and confident in who they are and they've just dove into something that they're passionate about because they truly love it.”
Dadekian highlights that Dartmouth is not just looking for academically talented students but also students who can demonstrate their self-assuredness throughout their entire application.
Here is a table outlining how to demonstrate the traits that Dartmouth seeks in applicants:
| Trait | Dartmouth's Admissions Jargon Decoded | How to Show It In Your Application |
|---|---|---|
| Combination of Qualities | Dartmouth values students who mix intellectual drive, character, leadership, and creativity | Use your personal statement to tie together multiple facets of your personality (e.g., a STEM student who also writes music), and use the activities list to highlight a variety of high-impact commitments that show depth and range |
| Meaningful Experiences | Dartmouth looks for life experiences that shaped who you are and how you think, especially moments that reflect growth, initiative, or perspective | Use your supplemental essays to reflect on specific activities/experiences, such as a service project, family experience, or academic challenge that influenced your worldview or values |
| Unique Point of View | Dartmouth seeks voices that add something distinct to the campus dialogue, whether rooted in culture, background, passions, or personal philosophy | Use the Dartmouth-specific short responses to express opinions, humor, or insights that reflect how you see the world differently, and explain how this perspective will contribute to campus life |
Dartmouth’s 2024-2025 Common Data Set (CDS), a standardized document that all schools report, highlights key admissions statistics. The CDS marks every academic factor as “Very Important.”
| Academic | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigor of Secondary School Record | X | |||
| Class Rank | X | |||
| Academic GPA | X | |||
| Standardized Test Scores | X | |||
| Application Essay | X | |||
| Recommendation(s) | X |
Dartmouth's admissions process places high importance on sustained academic excellence in all measurable forms, not just one standout area.
For applicants, this translates into a need for near-flawless academic credentials. If your high school offers AP, IB, or honors courses, Dartmouth expects you to have excelled in them. Strong grades in standard-level classes will likely not be viewed favorably if more rigorous options were available, since Rigor of Secondary School Record is marked “Very Important.”.
If your school provides a class ranking and you are not near the top 10%, it could be a disadvantage, because Dartmouth explicitly states that class rank is not just considered, but “Very Important.”
In Season 4, Episode 7 of Dartmouth's Admissions Beat podcast, Lee Coffin, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Dartmouth College, offers one of the clearest insights into how Dartmouth approaches academic readiness:
“If someone does not have the academic preparation to be successful on the campus [Dartmouth] represents—end of story.”
As the chief architect of Dartmouth’s admissions philosophy, Coffin’s words underscore that academic preparation is not one factor among many; it is the non-negotiable baseline.
In an era when holistic review is often cited as the dominant admissions approach, Coffin clarifies that this holistic lens only applies after a student has demonstrated they can meet the intellectual demands of a Dartmouth education.
Dartmouth labels both Extracurricular Activities and Character/Personal Qualities as “Very Important.” The only non-academic factor marked “Improtant” is Talent/Ability. Admissions officers labels Volunteer Experience, Work Experience, and Level of Applicant’s Interest as “Considered.”
| Non-Academic | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interview | X | |||
| Extracurricular Activities | X | |||
| Talent/Ability | X | |||
| Character/Personal Qualities | X | |||
| First Generation | X | |||
| Alumni/ae Relation | X | |||
| Geographical Residence | X | |||
| State Residency | X | |||
| Religious Affiliation/Commitment | X | |||
| Volunteer Work | X | |||
| Work Experience | X | |||
| Level of Applicant’s Interest | X |
Dartmouth’s CDS makes one thing clear: admissions officers are looking for standout human beings.
To stand out, your application needs to show depth, initiative, and individuality. That means your essays, your activities, and your recommendations should collectively reveal how you’ve made a meaningful impact in your community, whether through sustained leadership, creative problem-solving, or genuine community involvement.
In Season 3 Episode 9 of Dartmouth’s podcast, Dean Lee Coffin underscored this point by emphasizing that personal qualities often reveal themselves through simple but powerful traits, like kindness:
“I've always seen kindness as a really essential ingredient alongside curiosity, alongside creativity, alongside academic achievement. And that's where everyone goes first and it's non-negotiable.”
Coffin makes it clear that generosity, creativity, and academic strength influence admissions decisions. This is also evidenced by the fact that Character/Personal Qualities are marked “Very Important” in the CDS. You should demonstrate your character and generosity through your extracurriculars, which are also marked as “Very Important.”
For example, a student volunteers weekly at a local senior center because she genuinely enjoys connecting with residents. In her essay, she writes about a particular afternoon when she taught a 90-year-old woman how to use FaceTime so she could speak to her grandchildren in another state.
The empathy, initiative, and personal growth in this example reflect the kind of character Dartmouth values deeply.
The ideal Dartmouth applicant:
Dartmouth is not looking for the smartest students on paper; admissions officers seek applicants who think for themselves, follow their intellectual obsessions, and bring those pursuits into the world.
Here are all the application requirements for admission to Dartmouth.
| Requirement | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Application | Required | |
| Electronic Application | Required | |
| Essay | Required | |
| Letters of Recommendation | Required (3) | |
| High School Transcript | Required | |
| Interview | Optional | |
| Application Fee (2025) | $80 | |
| Fee Waiver Available? | Available |
| Test | Requirement | Scores Due |
|---|---|---|
| SAT or ACT | Required | ED by November; RD by December |
| Subject | Recommended Units |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Math | 4 |
| Science | 4 |
| Foreign Language | 4 |
| Social Studies | 4 |
| History | 0 |
| Academic Electives | 0 |
| Computer Science | 0 |
| Total | 20 |
| Admission Type | Offered? | Deadline | Notification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Admission | Yes | January 2 | Late March |
| Early Decision | Yes | November 1 | Mid-December |
| Early Action | No | — | — |
Follow these expert tips to improve your chances of getting into Dartmouth.
Dartmouth operates on a distinctive quarter system called the D-Plan, which allows students to customize when they’re on and off campus. This flexibility enables internships in the winter, research in the summer, and global travel during non-traditional terms.
Use your essays to explain how you’d use the D-Plan to pursue academic, professional, or service-related goals. This shows you’ve done your homework and have a personal plan for engaging fully in Dartmouth’s structure.
Dartmouth’s campus is located in a rural town with a strong outdoorsy and tight-knit feel. The student body often bonds over hiking, skiing, and cabin trips.
Demonstrate an affinity for nature, reflection, or small-community involvement in your essay or personal statement. Applicants who express comfort or excitement for Dartmouth’s setting often signal a stronger institutional fit, which matters more than people think.
Dartmouth is known for its 7:1 faculty-student ratio and seminar-style learning. Professors are deeply involved in undergraduate teaching, and mentorship is a core part of the academic experience.
In your essays or interview, reference your desire to collaborate with faculty or pursue undergraduate research. Mentioning specific professors, labs, or research areas can show academic maturity and institutional alignment.
Though not officially an open curriculum, Dartmouth gives students great freedom to explore across disciplines. You’ll often find students studying computer science alongside music, or biology alongside art history.
If you’re a student with unconventional interests like coding and theater, or neuroscience and poetry, make that story central to your application. Dartmouth values students who aren’t restricted by one academic identity.
Dartmouth admissions officers are trained to value authentic, well-structured stories, not just resume-style essays. This makes narrative clarity just as important as content.
Use essays to show transformation, curiosity, and emotional stakes. A compelling narrative with a beginning, middle, and end will stand out more than a list of accomplishments.
Dartmouth has a long-standing commitment to service, civic engagement, and Indigenous education. It was originally founded to educate Native students and still runs one of the top Native American Studies programs.
If you’re involved in community organizing, public service, or Indigenous advocacy, lean into those themes. These activities align deeply with Dartmouth’s mission and can set your application apart.
Dartmouth views gap years favorably, especially when used for growth, service, or self-discovery.
Admissions officers look for students who challenge themselves in areas aligned with their strengths. If your school lacks advanced courses, consider taking a gap year to pursue these courses.
In a recent webinar with Quad Education, Dominique Dadekian, a former admissions officer at Dartmouth, highlighted:
"If you are thinking about what looks 'good’ to a college, something that is rarely a bad idea is challenging yourself as much as possible in your courses. So, see if you can take an honors, AP-level, or dual credit level course in some of your areas of interest."
Dadekian suggests that if you’ve taken a gap year to pursue further academic advancement, highlight skills gained, independence developed, or impact created during that time.
Dartmouth is investing in artificial intelligence, data science, and digital humanities, especially as part of its liberal arts mission.
Humanities or social science applicants who express interest in tech fluency, digital ethics, or cross-disciplinary innovation (e.g., political science + data science) show adaptability and intellectual range.
Yes, Dartmouth accepts transfer credits. First-year students can transfer up to four credits from another four-year school. However, credits from online and community college courses are not transferable.
You should start preparing for Dartmouth throughout all four years of high school. Dartmouth is a highly competitive school, so focus on participating in meaningful extracurricular activities, giving back to the community, acing tests, and consistently achieving high grades.
Yes, Dartmouth offers generous need-based financial aid and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including U.S. and international applicants.
No, Dartmouth does not interview every single applicant. The interview process is optional, alumni-led, and based entirely on availability.
Yes, Dartmouth superscores the highest section scores in the ACT or SAT. If you submit multiple scores from the ACT or SAT, the admissions officers will consider the highest section scores regardless of test dates or platform.
Dartmouth is one of the top institutions in the U.S. and an excellent school to attend. Pay special attention to Dartmouth's admission requirements and start preparing for higher education early in high school.
Remember, Dartmouth reviews applicants holistically, so in addition to competitive grades and test scores, you should participate in meaningful activities that help you stand out.
If you need extra support, our Dartmouth admissions consultants are here to help you get accepted. Work with former admissions officers by booking a free consultation today.
