Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
Dartmouth admits about 1 in 17 applicants (6.0%). That puts it in the "Ultra selective" tier, more selective than 99% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (5.9% and 5.0%).
$80 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Doesn't list credit for AP exams
Yield
71% of admitted students enroll, one of the highest nationally.
Uses a wait list; numbers not published
Applying early
Early decision: 22% admitted
768 of 3,552 early applicants; 6.0% of all applicants
Apply by Nov 1
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
Where you stand
How Dartmouth reads a record
, GPA, class rank, and tests are all very important. Scores are required. 69% of first-years sent an SAT and 33% an ACT. Of the 44% whose high school reported a rank, 96% were in the top tenth. Requires 4 years of English, 4 of math, 4 of science, and 4 of social studies. See the years by subject
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Very important | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Very important | ||||
| Essay | Very important | ||||
| Recommendations | Very important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Very important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Very important | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Not considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required; demonstration of competencies considered; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
9.9% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 6.0% of first-year applicants
689 applied · 68 admitted · 40 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: priority date March 1, apply by May 15, decisions by June 1
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by January 3 for fall 2026.
- Decisions are sent by a set date.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 2 years.
What you'll need in high school
Doesn't require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Recommends a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Math | 4 |
| Science | 4 |
| Foreign language | 4 |
| Social studies | 4 |
| Total | 20* |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science. *Added up from the subjects listed; the college didn't give a total.
Recent change: Requires the SAT or ACT again, for students entering in fall 2027.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school class rank
96% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 99% in the top quarter, of the 44% whose high school reported a rank.
This college doesn't publish first-years' .
Source:Dartmouth College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1500 on the SAT, 330 points above the median for colleges that report scores. It requires SAT or ACT scores again from students entering in fall 2027.
Required
Send SAT or ACT scores: they're required to be considered. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
These scores are from the class that entered in fall 2025, before the change.
Score bands
83% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1400 or higher.
90% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
81% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an ACT (92%) scored 30 or higher.
81% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 69% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 33% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
826 studentssubmitted ACT
392 studentsAt least half of students submitted a score, so the ranges are reasonably representative.
Sources:Dartmouth College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Dartmouth College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Dartmouth College Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Dartmouth College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)