Dalhousie / How to get in
How to Get Into Dalhousie
Dalhousie's overall acceptance rate sits around 60-70%, and roughly 78% for international applicants, which makes it moderately selective. Most decisions rest on your five academic Grade 12 courses (or equivalent), so a strong transcript is the single biggest lever. Capped programs like Engineering, Pharmacy, and Health Sciences are notably tighter. Here is the academic profile that keeps you in the running, what Dalhousie weighs most, and where to put your energy.
- 75-85% (Canadian % average)
- GPA (middle 50%)
Every college publishes how heavily it weighs each part of your application in its Common Data Set. Here is how Dalhousie reads applicants, most important first.
- Course rigor
- Grades (GPA)
- Class rank
- Talent or ability
- Geographic origin
Dalhousie is test-blind, so SAT and ACT scores are not considered at all.
Applications open (Fall 2026) October 15 · Scholarship consideration February 15 · Music video audition (scholarship) February 6 · Proof of English proficiency May 15 · Accept admission offer May 15. Applying early (Early Action or Early Decision, where offered) can modestly improve your odds and signals commitment.
Your grades and course rigor are mostly set by now. The highest-leverage things left are your essays and how you frame your activities. Dalhousie reads holistically, so a specific, well-told essay is where you separate yourself from other qualified applicants.
How to get into Dalhousie: FAQ
Is Dalhousie hard to get into?
Dalhousie's overall acceptance rate sits around 60-70%, and roughly 78% for international applicants, which makes it moderately selective. Most decisions rest on your five academic Grade 12 courses (or equivalent), so a strong transcript is the single biggest lever. Capped programs like Engineering, Pharmacy, and Health Sciences are notably tighter. At Dalhousie, applicants clear a high academic bar first, then stand out through essays, activities, and character.
What GPA do you need to get into Dalhousie?
Admitted students at Dalhousie typically have a GPA around 75-85% (Canadian % average) (middle 50 percent). A strong GPA in demanding courses is the foundation, though it never guarantees admission.
What does Dalhousie look for in applicants?
Dalhousie weighs course rigor and grades (gpa) most heavily, alongside a strong academic record. The parts you most control late in the process are your essays and how you present your activities.
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