What does Dartmouth Look for in Applicants?

[Anonymous]

They seem to applicants who take the safe route--do all the expected classes, activities, and have a very hard time with anything unscripted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My high-stats, unhooked DC was admitted this year. I did a fair amount of research (in lieu of hiring a consultant). Current and former Dartmouth AOs are prolific in media--e.g., Lee Coffin's podcast (and appearances on others' podcasts), Valedictorians at the Gate (book), Inside the Admissions Office podcast, etc. Critically, there's no formula and the threshold issue is academic capability. Applicants must do very well in high school: Top 5-10% in class, many APs/IBs, high test scores, and reasonable AP test performance. But academic capability only gets one's foot in the door. Beyond that, here are some of the things that Dartmouth looks for:

Impact: This applies to all colleges, but Dartmouth likes applicants who show that they make an impact, whether it is in their classroom, community, or broader.

Demonstrated Interest: I'm not talking about tours or website visits. Dartmouth is probably the most distinct flavor of the Ivies, and it wants you to understand that distinction rather than merely applying because of its Ivy status. This means understanding that it offers a liberal arts education (broad and often interdisciplinary) and that it's rural location and tight campus community are integral to the Dartmouth experience. Applicants should show that they understand this and that it strongly appeals to them. Dartmouth likes applicants that genuinely like Dartmouth.

Benefit to the Community: As an isolated, small school with a tight community, applicants should show what they bring to that community and that they, well, aren't jerks. This doesn't require anything specific, but I think it helps if applicants can show things like they are kind, they are great teammates or friends, they inspire others, leadership, they're funny, they're quiet but profound, etc., etc. Applicants show show that they'd contribute to the community positively and, if possible, distinctly.

Intellectual Curiosity: This goes back a little to Dartmouth's liberal arts nature, but I think Dartmouth likely prefers kids who are interested in learning for learning's sake. If an applicant's application only shows myopic and pragmatic interest in, say, computer science, one has to question why that applicant is applying to Dartmouth.

Anyhow, it's a great school for the right kid.

My kid is interested in schools with this flavor and am wondering what other schools people would say offer a similar experience, namely they favor a broad and interdisciplinary education for a passionate, intellectually curious student. My kid is looking for both strong humanities and strong science.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My high-stats, unhooked DC was admitted this year. I did a fair amount of research (in lieu of hiring a consultant). Current and former Dartmouth AOs are prolific in media--e.g., Lee Coffin's podcast (and appearances on others' podcasts), Valedictorians at the Gate (book), Inside the Admissions Office podcast, etc. Critically, there's no formula and the threshold issue is academic capability. Applicants must do very well in high school: Top 5-10% in class, many APs/IBs, high test scores, and reasonable AP test performance. But academic capability only gets one's foot in the door. Beyond that, here are some of the things that Dartmouth looks for:

Impact: This applies to all colleges, but Dartmouth likes applicants who show that they make an impact, whether it is in their classroom, community, or broader.

Demonstrated Interest: I'm not talking about tours or website visits. Dartmouth is probably the most distinct flavor of the Ivies, and it wants you to understand that distinction rather than merely applying because of its Ivy status. This means understanding that it offers a liberal arts education (broad and often interdisciplinary) and that it's rural location and tight campus community are integral to the Dartmouth experience. Applicants should show that they understand this and that it strongly appeals to them. Dartmouth likes applicants that genuinely like Dartmouth.

Benefit to the Community: As an isolated, small school with a tight community, applicants should show what they bring to that community and that they, well, aren't jerks. This doesn't require anything specific, but I think it helps if applicants can show things like they are kind, they are great teammates or friends, they inspire others, leadership, they're funny, they're quiet but profound, etc., etc. Applicants show show that they'd contribute to the community positively and, if possible, distinctly.

Intellectual Curiosity: This goes back a little to Dartmouth's liberal arts nature, but I think Dartmouth likely prefers kids who are interested in learning for learning's sake. If an applicant's application only shows myopic and pragmatic interest in, say, computer science, one has to question why that applicant is applying to Dartmouth.

Anyhow, it's a great school for the right kid.

+100, what a great service you're providing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They had 15 gender options on their application-

Some I had truly seen for the first time (2-spirit, demi gender,,,,). And the one I love the best “all of the above”.

omg. the tide is already turning on this. A lot of schools will have egg on threir faces when this ultra liberal fad is over

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They had 15 gender options on their application-

Some I had truly seen for the first time (2-spirit, demi gender,,,,). And the one I love the best “all of the above”.

omg. the tide is already turning on this. A lot of schools will have egg on threir faces when this ultra liberal fad is over

Wow. Didn't see that the last application cycle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They had 15 gender options on their application-

Some I had truly seen for the first time (2-spirit, demi gender,,,,). And the one I love the best “all of the above”.

omg. the tide is already turning on this. A lot of schools will have egg on threir faces when this ultra liberal fad is over

I’m an old, cis, straight male I can’t imagine feeling threatened by others’ gender identities.
Maybe that’s because I’m an old school conservative that believes in individual rights.

How incredibly timid and small your life must be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My high-stats, unhooked DC was admitted this year. I did a fair amount of research (in lieu of hiring a consultant). Current and former Dartmouth AOs are prolific in media--e.g., Lee Coffin's podcast (and appearances on others' podcasts), Valedictorians at the Gate (book), Inside the Admissions Office podcast, etc. Critically, there's no formula and the threshold issue is academic capability. Applicants must do very well in high school: Top 5-10% in class, many APs/IBs, high test scores, and reasonable AP test performance. But academic capability only gets one's foot in the door. Beyond that, here are some of the things that Dartmouth looks for:

Impact: This applies to all colleges, but Dartmouth likes applicants who show that they make an impact, whether it is in their classroom, community, or broader.

Demonstrated Interest: I'm not talking about tours or website visits. Dartmouth is probably the most distinct flavor of the Ivies, and it wants you to understand that distinction rather than merely applying because of its Ivy status. This means understanding that it offers a liberal arts education (broad and often interdisciplinary) and that it's rural location and tight campus community are integral to the Dartmouth experience. Applicants should show that they understand this and that it strongly appeals to them. Dartmouth likes applicants that genuinely like Dartmouth.

Benefit to the Community: As an isolated, small school with a tight community, applicants should show what they bring to that community and that they, well, aren't jerks. This doesn't require anything specific, but I think it helps if applicants can show things like they are kind, they are great teammates or friends, they inspire others, leadership, they're funny, they're quiet but profound, etc., etc. Applicants show show that they'd contribute to the community positively and, if possible, distinctly.

Intellectual Curiosity: This goes back a little to Dartmouth's liberal arts nature, but I think Dartmouth likely prefers kids who are interested in learning for learning's sake. If an applicant's application only shows myopic and pragmatic interest in, say, computer science, one has to question why that applicant is applying to Dartmouth.

Anyhow, it's a great school for the right kid.

Such a helpful comment - thank you! This checks so many boxes for my dc. We will cross our fingers and hope for the best.

[Anonymous]

White and rich.

[Anonymous]

Looking at my kids high schools Naviance, no one has gotten into Dartmouth in the last five years. I never see Dartmouth represented in the instagrams of other local schools. However at one private school in the area (not DC), three or four kids are going there this year. I think some are recruits (squash), not sure if all are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My high-stats, unhooked DC was admitted this year. I did a fair amount of research (in lieu of hiring a consultant). Current and former Dartmouth AOs are prolific in media--e.g., Lee Coffin's podcast (and appearances on others' podcasts), Valedictorians at the Gate (book), Inside the Admissions Office podcast, etc. Critically, there's no formula and the threshold issue is academic capability. Applicants must do very well in high school: Top 5-10% in class, many APs/IBs, high test scores, and reasonable AP test performance. But academic capability only gets one's foot in the door. Beyond that, here are some of the things that Dartmouth looks for:

Impact: This applies to all colleges, but Dartmouth likes applicants who show that they make an impact, whether it is in their classroom, community, or broader.

Demonstrated Interest: I'm not talking about tours or website visits. Dartmouth is probably the most distinct flavor of the Ivies, and it wants you to understand that distinction rather than merely applying because of its Ivy status. This means understanding that it offers a liberal arts education (broad and often interdisciplinary) and that it's rural location and tight campus community are integral to the Dartmouth experience. Applicants should show that they understand this and that it strongly appeals to them. Dartmouth likes applicants that genuinely like Dartmouth.

Benefit to the Community: As an isolated, small school with a tight community, applicants should show what they bring to that community and that they, well, aren't jerks. This doesn't require anything specific, but I think it helps if applicants can show things like they are kind, they are great teammates or friends, they inspire others, leadership, they're funny, they're quiet but profound, etc., etc. Applicants show show that they'd contribute to the community positively and, if possible, distinctly.

Intellectual Curiosity: This goes back a little to Dartmouth's liberal arts nature, but I think Dartmouth likely prefers kids who are interested in learning for learning's sake. If an applicant's application only shows myopic and pragmatic interest in, say, computer science, one has to question why that applicant is applying to Dartmouth.

Anyhow, it's a great school for the right kid.

My kid is interested in schools with this flavor and am wondering what other schools people would say offer a similar experience, namely they favor a broad and interdisciplinary education for a passionate, intellectually curious student. My kid is looking for both strong humanities and strong science.

Honestly, almost all of them? I think any liberal arts college would provide this. I don’t think there is anything especially interdisciplinary about Dartmouth. This is a huge buzzword throughout academia right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My high-stats, unhooked DC was admitted this year. I did a fair amount of research (in lieu of hiring a consultant). Current and former Dartmouth AOs are prolific in media--e.g., Lee Coffin's podcast (and appearances on others' podcasts), Valedictorians at the Gate (book), Inside the Admissions Office podcast, etc. Critically, there's no formula and the threshold issue is academic capability. Applicants must do very well in high school: Top 5-10% in class, many APs/IBs, high test scores, and reasonable AP test performance. But academic capability only gets one's foot in the door. Beyond that, here are some of the things that Dartmouth looks for:

Impact: This applies to all colleges, but Dartmouth likes applicants who show that they make an impact, whether it is in their classroom, community, or broader.

Demonstrated Interest: I'm not talking about tours or website visits. Dartmouth is probably the most distinct flavor of the Ivies, and it wants you to understand that distinction rather than merely applying because of its Ivy status. This means understanding that it offers a liberal arts education (broad and often interdisciplinary) and that it's rural location and tight campus community are integral to the Dartmouth experience. Applicants should show that they understand this and that it strongly appeals to them. Dartmouth likes applicants that genuinely like Dartmouth.

Benefit to the Community: As an isolated, small school with a tight community, applicants should show what they bring to that community and that they, well, aren't jerks. This doesn't require anything specific, but I think it helps if applicants can show things like they are kind, they are great teammates or friends, they inspire others, leadership, they're funny, they're quiet but profound, etc., etc. Applicants show show that they'd contribute to the community positively and, if possible, distinctly.

Intellectual Curiosity: This goes back a little to Dartmouth's liberal arts nature, but I think Dartmouth likely prefers kids who are interested in learning for learning's sake. If an applicant's application only shows myopic and pragmatic interest in, say, computer science, one has to question why that applicant is applying to Dartmouth.

Anyhow, it's a great school for the right kid.

My kid is interested in schools with this flavor and am wondering what other schools people would say offer a similar experience, namely they favor a broad and interdisciplinary education for a passionate, intellectually curious student. My kid is looking for both strong humanities and strong science.

Honestly, almost all of them? I think any liberal arts college would provide this. I don’t think there is anything especially interdisciplinary about Dartmouth. This is a huge buzzword throughout academia right now.

Look for smaller more rural SLACs….
Middlebury; Williams; Colgate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The PP's amazing, lengthy and informative post seems applicable to many schools. Thank you, PP. I must say though, it is a little bit stressful to have to demonstrate these characteristics, even if really kids possess them in abundance. I have a kind, hardworking, genuinely inquisitive kid who contributes to her school community in so many ways. It just feels like having to demonstrate that you are kind and intellectually curious is such a strange and artificial task, though.

Often she’s not demonstrating it. Peer rec and LOR would speak to that….

+1 The Peer Rec Dartmouth app requires is unique. Teacher recs tell one part of the story - excellent student/curious learner/etc. Personal essays allow applicant to describe who they are. But the Peer rec tells the AO how the applicant is perceived by others. It helps the AO determine if the applicant will be a positive addition to their community on campus.