Dartmouth College, founded in the year 1769, is a private research university with its foundation laid by Eleazar Wheelock. Part of the elite Ivy League members, Dartmouth College, located in Hanover, New Hampshire, is one of the ninth oldest higher education institutions in the U.S. and one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. The college provides undergraduate instruction in 40 academic departments, enabling the student to specialize in more than 57 majors. This leading place of learning with a well-built Greek culture also has many sports clubs and societies to nurture students for different fields and overall personality development.

The admissions to Dartmouth are competitive with an acceptance rate of 8.8% and it is entitled to the ‘Most Selective’ university by the U.S. News & World Report. Along with this, Dartmouth has ranked 10th in Forbes 2019 rankings, and Dartmouth’s undergraduate teaching was previously ranked 1st by U.S. News for five years in a row. Before you start applying, read this guide on how to apply to Dartmouth College as an international student:

English Proficiency Test Requirements

The international applicants who didn’t have English as a medium of instruction in high school, Dartmouth recommends providing scores of English language proficiency tests. Dartmouth accepts the following language proficiency tests and the minimum scores required for each of these tests are:

• 100 and above on the TOEFL
• 120 and above on the Duolingo English Test
• 7.0 and above on the IELTS Academic

ACT/SAT Requirements

SAT and ACT are the recognized standardized tests used for entrance in U.S. schools and colleges. These tests measure a student’s proficiency in various skills like problem-solving, reading comprehension, etc. However, the SAT Subject Test is kept optional by the College administration. If any candidate is unwilling to submit the SAT Subject Test scores, the administration promises that it won’t prevent candidacy from receiving a full review by the Admissions Committee.

Please note that Dartmouth College is test-optional for the Class of 2026.

Tuition Fees and Cost of Living

When you talk about studying abroad, the expenses can become a reason to worry. But as Dartmouth is a QuestBridge Partner that connects extraordinary students from across the country with educational opportunities, an average of $57,327 aid is given to 75.7% of international students/year. The estimated annual cost at Dartmouth is given below, both in U.S. Dollars and Indian rupees.

The conversion from USD to INR has been made as 1 USD = 74 INR.

Application Portal

Candidates aspiring to be a part of the prestigious Dartmouth College can apply through Common Application and QuestBridge. The university considers all applications equally without any preference no matter which portal you use to submit your application.

Essay Prompts

For Dartmouth College, one needs to write a personal essay in response to one of the prompts which are provided by the Common App. Besides, the applicants need to submit two short Dartmouth’s specific writing supplements that help the authorities to consider the applicant as fit or unfit with Dartmouth’s creative and collaborative culture. 

Prompt 1:

Word Limit: 100 words

“While arguing a Dartmouth-related case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1818, Daniel Webster, Class of 1801, delivered this memorable line: “It is, sir,…a small college, and yet there are those who love it!” As you seek admission to the Class of 2025, what aspects of the College’s program, community, or campus environment attract your interest?”

Prompt 2:

Word Limit: 250-300 words

Please choose one of the following prompts and respond in 250-300 words:

• Option A: The Hawaiian word mo’olelo is often translated as “story” but it can also refer to history, legend, genealogy, and tradition. Use one of these translations to introduce yourself.

• Option B: What excites you?

• Option C: In The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, William Kamkwamba, Class of 2014, reflects on constructing a windmill from recycled materials to power the electrical appliances in his family’s Malawian house: “If you want to make it, all you have to do is try.” What drives you to create and what do you hope to make or have you already made?

• Option D: Curiosity is a guiding element of Toni Morrison’s talent as a writer. “I feel totally curious and alive and in control. And almost…magnificent, when I write,” she says. Celebrate your curiosity.

• Option E: “Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away,” observed Frida Kahlo. Apply Kahlo’s perspective to your own life.

• Option F: In the aftermath of World War II, Dartmouth President John Sloane Dickey, Class of 1929, proclaimed, “The world’s troubles are your troubles…and there is nothing wrong with the world that better human beings cannot fix.” Which of the world’s “troubles” inspires you to act? How might your course of study at Dartmouth prepare you to address it?

College Application Deadlines

An applicant can apply to Dartmouth College under categories like Early Decision and Regular Decision. The Uni Deadlines feature of UniRely is the best and the easiest way to keep a check on deadlines. For your reference, here is the tentative deadline:

Conclusion

Though the application process of Dartmouth College is quite cumbersome and tiring, the efforts don’t go in vain once you get into the College. The competition among the applicants to get into Dartmouth has increased and now it’s getting even more difficult to get admission in. So, sign up today at UniRely to talk to a student mentor and get your application to top universities noticed!