What is the Dartmouth Acceptance Rate?
Dartmouth College, a member of the Ivy League, is renowned for its academic standards and highly selective admissions process. As one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in the United States, Dartmouth attracts applicants worldwide, all trying to get a place at this elite college.
The college’s acceptance rate reflects its selectivity, presenting a challenge to students looking to join its alumni. This guide will cover Dartmouth’s acceptance rate trends, influencing factors, and everything you should consider before applying.
The Recent History of Dartmouth Acceptance Rates
The college has seen fluctuating acceptance rates over recent years, illustrating the competitive nature of its admissions process. Here is a look at the most recent acceptance rate trends.
| Class Year | Total Applications | Total Admitted | Acceptance Rate |
| 2029 | 28,230 | 1,702 | 6.0% |
| 2028 | 31,657 | 1,685 | 5.3% |
| 2027 | 28,841 | 1,798 | 6.0% |
| 2026 | 28,357 | 1,749 | 6.2% |
| 2025 | 28,357 | 1,749 | 6.2% |
| 2024 | 21,394 | 1,881 | 8.8% |
As the table indicates, Dartmouth’s acceptance rate has consistently remained low, with fluctuations due to application volume and university enrolment goals.
As recently as the Class of 2020, Dartmouth’s acceptance rate was above 10%. The fall in acceptance rate is driven by increasing numbers of applicants – from around 20,000 each year to 30,000 or more since the Covid pandemic.
The Latest Dartmouth Admission Cycle
For the Class of 2029, Dartmouth College received 28,230 applications, with 1,702 students admitted, resulting in a 6.0% acceptance rate. This year’s cycle saw a slight drop in applications from the record high the year before, though competition for places remains intense. Yield rates remained high, confirming Dartmouth’s strong pull among admitted students.
Comparing Various Dartmouth Acceptance Rates
Early Decision (ED)
Dartmouth College offers an Early Decision (ED) application option, which generally provides applicants with a higher acceptance rate compared to the Regular Decision process. For the Class of 2028, Dartmouth’s ED acceptance rate was approximately 17.1%. The higher acceptance rate for ED applicants reflects the college’s commitment to filling a significant portion of its class early with dedicated applicants.
However, Early Decision is a binding option, meaning that students who are accepted through ED must commit to attending Dartmouth.
Regular Decision (RD)
Dartmouth’s Regular Decision (RD) acceptance rate is typically lower than the ED rate due to the large volume of applicants. For the Class of 2028, the RD acceptance rate was around 3.9%, with 1,104 students admitted from 28,106 applicants. This lower acceptance rate underscores the competitive nature of the RD process and highlights the increased competition faced by applicants who apply later in the cycle.
Factors that Affect the Dartmouth Acceptance Rate
Quality and Size of the Applicant Pool
Many high-achieving students apply to study at Dartmouth each year. This rise in application volume impacts acceptance rates, as only a fraction of the highly qualified candidates can be offered admission.
Holistic Admissions Process
Dartmouth employs a holistic review process, assessing both academic and non-academic factors. These include extracurricular involvement, personal achievements, and letters of recommendation. This holistic approach ensures a diverse and well-rounded class but also contributes to the low acceptance rate as it seeks students who embody the college’s values.
How Does the Dartmouth Acceptance Rate Compare with Other Ivy League Schools?
When compared to its Ivy League counterparts, Dartmouth’s acceptance rate is in line with most other schools, reflecting its competitive nature and high academic standards. Below is a comparison of Ivy League acceptance rates, using the most recent application data available for each college.
| University | Acceptance Rate |
| Brown | 5.2% |
| Columbia | 3.9% |
| Cornell | 8.4% |
| Dartmouth | 6.0% |
| Harvard | 3.6% |
| Penn | 5.4% |
| Princeton | 4.6% |
| Yale | 3.7% |
Why is the Dartmouth Acceptance Rate So Low?
Dartmouth’s low acceptance rate is due to a combination of high application volume and the strength of its applicant pool. Many applicants have stellar academic records, impressive extracurriculars, and high test scores, all of which contribute to the competitiveness of the admissions process. Additionally, Dartmouth’s reputation as an Ivy League institution attracts applicants globally, making it one of the most selective schools in the U.S.
FAQs
The acceptance rate for Dartmouth’s Class of 2029 is 6.0%.
Yes, Dartmouth has an Early Decision option with a higher acceptance rate than Regular Decision.
Dartmouth’s acceptance rate is similar to other Ivy League schools, though it varies slightly from year to year.
The Regular Decision acceptance rate is lower than Early Decision, typically below 5%.
Dukes Plus provides tailored admissions consulting to help applicants strengthen their Dartmouth applications.
Factors include applicant volume, academic and extracurricular profiles, and Dartmouth’s holistic admissions process.
How Can Dukes Plus Help Your Dartmouth Application Succeed?
Dukes Plus offers comprehensive support for students aiming to apply to Dartmouth College. Our services are tailored to help applicants showcase their unique strengths, align their profiles with Dartmouth’s values, and present well-rounded applications.
For more information, please visit our US Ivy League Admissions Consulting page or contact us for a personalised consultation.
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Sources
https://www.statista.com/statistics/941418/ivy-league-acceptance-rate-class
https://www.dartmouth.edu/oir/pdfs/admissions.pdf
https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/apply/class-profile-testing
