Ivy Cultures: Dartmouth College - Small but Excellent
The school we are introducing today may not be the most prominent in the Ivy League, but it is a refined, elegant, and distinctive institution—Dartmouth College.
Dartmouth College, established on December 13, 1769, is a private, research-oriented comprehensive university located in Hanover, New Hampshire, USA. Dartmouth is one of the eight Ivy League institutions and one of the nine colonial colleges established before the founding of the United States. In the 2023 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings, Dartmouth College ranked 12th. Despite being a private research university, Dartmouth has always retained its "college" title.
"Small but excellent"
Dartmouth is the smallest of the Ivy League schools. With an enrollment not exceeding 7,000 students, it does not have the massive scale of the other Ivy League institutions. Furthermore, 85% of its classes have fewer than thirty students, and the percentage of international students is less than 10%. With only a handful of Chinese students in each class, and due to its location in New England, the majority of the students are Caucasian. Yet, precisely because of its small size, the resources available to students are incredibly advantageous. Dartmouth may be situated in the mountains, but its alumni are spread across major economic zones, such as Wall Street and Silicon Valley. Due to the small student population, the connection among alumni is strong, and every alumnus is eager to connect and provide help. Overall, it is a case of fewer people, more resources. The college has maintained a "small but excellent" academic standard, hence it still uses the title of "college."
Distinctive
One of Dartmouth College's unique features is its special academic calendar, commonly known as the "Dartmouth Plan". This plan divides the year into four terms, each lasting ten weeks. Students only need to attend three terms each year, which can be chosen according to their preference. The only stipulation from the college is that students must attend the summer term in their junior year. This flexible arrangement significantly increases the freedom of students' time management. There are special programs such as the Domestic Exchange Program (DEP), Foreign Study Program (FSP), and Language Study Program (LSP). A rather interesting program called "Bring Your Professor to Lunch" offers students fifty dollars each term to enjoy lunch at the town's finest restaurant with their professor, providing a great way to connect with them and receive personal advice and feedback.
School Life
Dartmouth College is located in a small seaside town in New Hampshire, USA, with a peaceful and serene campus environment. The area around the college boasts natural beauty such as mountains, rivers, and waterfalls, and countless stars can be seen at night. It's far removed from the hustle and bustle of large cities and is closer to nature. Students' recreational activities are also closely related to the surrounding environment, such as skiing, mountain climbing, and boating. The dormitory conditions are excellent, and most students choose on-campus housing. Each residential area has its theme and unique programs. The local folks are pure and simple, and the overall quality of the residents is very high. The crime rate in the area where the school is located is extremely low, almost zero. Everyone is very friendly and enthusiastic.
Admission Preference
According to data from the Common Dataset, the average acceptance rate of Dartmouth College is 7.9%. Early decision applicants have a higher chance of receiving an offer (23.2%) compared to regular decision applicants (6.1%). Therefore, those who wish to attend Dartmouth College are advised to apply early. Regarding academic performance, 95% of admitted students were in the top 10% of their high school class, and 99% were in the top 25%. Most students' SAT math scores range from 730-790, and the reading and writing scores are between 710-770. It can be seen that Dartmouth particularly values academically talented students. If a student has excellent academic performance, coupled with achievements in international competitions, they are certainly the kind of student Dartmouth wants. Furthermore, expressing the concept of "small but excellent" in application essays can also score points. For instance, demonstrating a focused pursuit in one's field or showing absolute superiority in the applied major could significantly boost the chances of admission.
Furthermore, Dartmouth appreciates students who can contribute to the diversity of the school community. Demonstrating active involvement in extracurricular activities, showing leadership potential, and possessing a willingness to engage in college life can all enhance an applicant's attractiveness. It is also important to showcase in your application how you can contribute to Dartmouth's community and how you will take advantage of its resources and opportunities.
In conclusion, Dartmouth College is a small but highly prestigious institution. Its intimate size, flexible academic program, dedicated alumni network, and stunning natural environment make it a unique choice among the Ivy League. For students who value a close-knit community and personalized academic experience, Dartmouth may be an excellent fit.
It's important to remember that admissions at Dartmouth, like all Ivy League institutions, are highly competitive. However, students who are academically strong, show passion for their chosen field of study, and demonstrate how they can contribute to the Dartmouth community will have a strong chance of being considered for admission. The key is to present an authentic and compelling picture of who you are as an individual and what you can bring to the Dartmouth community.