Dartmouth / How to get in
How to Get Into Dartmouth
Dartmouth admitted 1,702 of 28,230 applicants to the Class of 2029, a 6.0% acceptance rate. Roughly 96% of admitted students ranked in the top 10% of their high school class. Here is the academic profile that keeps you in the running, what Dartmouth weighs most, and where to put your energy.
- 3.89-3.99
- GPA (middle 50%)
- 1500-1570
- SAT (middle 50%)
Every college publishes how heavily it weighs each part of your application in its Common Data Set. Here is how Dartmouth reads applicants, most important first.
- Course rigor
- Grades (GPA)
- The application essay
- Recommendation letters
- Extracurricular activities
- Character and personal qualities
- Class rank
- Test scores
- Talent or ability
- Legacy relation
- First-generation status
- Geographic origin
- Demonstrated interest
Dartmouth requires SAT or ACT scores.
Early Decision November 1 · Regular Decision January 1 · ED decisions released Mid-December · RD decisions released Late March / early April. 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. Dartmouth reads holistically, so a specific, well-told essay is where you separate yourself from other qualified applicants.
How to get into Dartmouth: FAQ
Is Dartmouth hard to get into?
Dartmouth admitted 1,702 of 28,230 applicants to the Class of 2029, a 6.0% acceptance rate. Roughly 96% of admitted students ranked in the top 10% of their high school class. At Dartmouth, applicants clear a high academic bar first, then stand out through essays, activities, and character.
What GPA do you need to get into Dartmouth?
Admitted students at Dartmouth typically have a GPA around 3.89-3.99 (middle 50 percent). A strong GPA in demanding courses is the foundation, though it never guarantees admission.
What SAT score do you need for Dartmouth?
The middle 50 percent of admitted students at Dartmouth score about 1500-1570 on the SAT. Scores in or above that range keep you competitive.
What does Dartmouth look for in applicants?
Dartmouth weighs course rigor, grades (gpa), the application essay, recommendation letters, extracurricular activities, and character and personal qualities 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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