Guide

What is the Dartmouth Acceptance Rate?

Mon 11 Nov 2024 • 5 min read

Thinking about applying to Dartmouth College? Be mindful that the acceptance rate can be low. Our guide covers what that means for your admissions chances.

Contents

Recent History of Dartmouth Acceptance Rates
Comparing Acceptance Rates
Factors that Affect the Acceptance Rate
How does it Compare with Other Schools?
FAQs
How can Dukes Plus Help you Succeed?
Speak to an Expert

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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	Yield Rate
2027	28,841	1,798	6.0%	85.4%
2026	28,357	1,749	6.2%	84.6%
2025	28,357	1,749	6.2%	85.3%
2024	21,394	1,881	8.8%	81.6%

As the table indicates, Dartmouth’s acceptance rate has consistently remained low, with fluctuations due to application volume and university enrolment goals. The yield rate – the percentage of accepted students who enrol – has remained high, showing Dartmouth’s strong appeal to those it admits.

Class of 2018 to 2027

The trend in Dartmouth’s acceptance rates over the past decade highlights its increasing selectivity. This section provides detailed historical data.

Class Year	Applicants	Admitted	Admit Rate	Yield Rate
2027	28,841	1,798	6.0%	85.4%
2026	28,357	1,749	6.2%	84.6%
2025	28,357	1,749	6.2%	85.3%
2024	21,394	1,881	8.8%	81.6%
2023	23,650	1,875	7.9%	81.0%
2022	22,033	1,927	8.7%	80.2%
2021	20,034	1,920	9.6%	80.0%
2020	19,235	2,092	10.9%	78.5%
2019	20,504	2,120	10.3%	78.0%
2018	20,504	2,120	10.3%	77.8%

The Latest Dartmouth Admission Cycle

For the Class of 2027, Dartmouth College received 28,841 applications, with 1,798 students admitted, resulting in a 6.0% acceptance rate. This year’s cycle saw a slight increase in applications, continuing the trend of intense competition for spots. 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 2027, Dartmouth’s ED acceptance rate was approximately 19.2%, as the college admitted 578 students from a pool of 3,009 applicants. 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 2027, the RD acceptance rate was around 4.5%, with 1,173 students admitted from 25,832 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 for the Class of 2027.

Ivy League School	Total Applications	Total Accepted	Acceptance Rate
Brown University	51,302	2,609	5.0%
Columbia University	57,129	2,246	3.9%
Cornell University	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported
Dartmouth College	28,841	1,798	6.0%
Harvard University	56,937	1,942	3.4%
University of Pennsylvania	59,000+	2,400	Not Reported
Princeton University	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported
Yale University	52,250	2,275	4.35%

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

What is Dartmouth’s acceptance rate for the Class of 2027?

The acceptance rate for Dartmouth’s Class of 2027 is 6.0%.

Does Dartmouth offer Early Decision?

Yes, Dartmouth has an Early Decision option with a higher acceptance rate than Regular Decision.

How competitive is Dartmouth compared to other Ivy League schools?

Dartmouth’s acceptance rate is similar to other Ivy League schools, though it varies slightly from year to year.

What is Dartmouth’s Regular Decision acceptance rate?

The Regular Decision acceptance rate is lower than Early Decision, typically below 5%.

How can Dukes Plus help me get into Dartmouth?

Dukes Plus provides tailored admissions consulting to help applicants strengthen their Dartmouth applications.

What factors affect Dartmouth’s acceptance rate?

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.