Are you interested in transferring to Dartmouth? Dartmouth College, located among the Ivy League’s circle of eight time-honored and exceptionally selective universities in the US, remains a highly respected academic institution. Ranked near the upper echelons of national colleges year after year, Dartmouth boasts an admissions process that is second to none. As recognized by US News and World Report, Dartmouth College is the thirteenth-best college in America. Even more impressive, they are ranked fifth for their remarkable undergraduate teaching standards. If you’re searching to transfer to a university that emphasizes delivering its students an exceptional educational experience, then Dartmouth may be your best option.

Dartmouth is renowned for its innovative year-round academic calendar, aptly named the “D Plan”. This quarter system offers students a wide range of flexibility with four 10-week terms per annum.

Dartmouth’s 2023-2024 Transfer Acceptance Rate

During the 2023-2024 transfer cycle at Dartmouth College, there were 768 applicants, the university admitted 12 of them, yielding a transfer acceptance rate of 1.6%.

Dartmouth’s 2022-2023 Transfer Acceptance Rate

During the 2022-2023 transfer cycle at Dartmouth College, there were 599 applicants, the university admitted 44 of them, yielding a transfer acceptance rate of 7.35%.

Dartmouth’s 2021-2022 Transfer Acceptance Rate

Out of the 435 transfer applicants that applied to Dartmouth in Fall 2021, only 43 were admitted – a mere 9.9% acceptance rate!

Dartmouth College is a perfect illustration of the drastic fluctuations in transfer acceptance rates from year to year. In 2020, 28.6% of applicants were accepted; conversely, just 4.1%, 1.5%, and .5% were admitted into Dartmouth’s program in 2019, 2018, and 2017 respectively!

Dartmouth Transfer Writing Supplement

Dartmouth requires two obligatory prompts and offers an array of potential options for a third response.

Personal Statement/”Why Dartmouth” Essay

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 Dartmouth, what prompted your decision to transfer institutions, and what aspects of the College’s program, community, or campus environment attract your interest? * (500 words)

Introduce Yourself Essay 

“Be yourself,” Oscar Wilde advised. “Everyone else is taken.” Introduce yourself in 200-250 words.

Choose One (200-250 words)

  • Labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta recommended a life of purpose. “We must use our lives to make the world a better place to live, not just to acquire things,” she said. “That is what we are put on the earth for.” In what ways do you hope to make – or are you making—an impact?
  • What excites you?
  • In The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, William Kamkwamba ’14 reflects on constructing a windmill from recycled materials to power 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 made?
  • Dr. Seuss, aka Theodor Geisel of Dartmouth’s Class of 1925, wrote, “Think and wonder. Wonder and think.” What do you wonder and think about?
  • “Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced,” wrote James Baldwin. How does this quote apply to your life experiences?

Dartmouth Transfer Deadline and Decision Date

Dartmouth has a transfer deadline of March 1st, and decisions regarding fall enrollment are made in early May.

What GPA Do You Need to Transfer to Dartmouth?

According to the college, a 3.7 GPA is generally needed for successful transfers. However, based on our experience with Dartmouth transfer students who excelled, aiming for at least a 3.8 should grant you more success in your transfer process.

Regarding test scores, this is taken straight from Dartmouth’s website: “You will be offered the option to request a testing waiver as part of the application for transfer admission. While most transfer applicants will submit the required testing, applications with a testing waiver will be reviewed for admission.”

Remember that achieving a high GPA and excelling on tests alone will not be enough to secure your admission into Dartmouth. Their website puts it best: “Most transfer applicants present strong academic credentials, so the Admissions Committee also considers your ability to make a successful transition after transferring and to contribute to the life of the College—in and out of the classroom.”

Is Dartmouth Need-Blind or Need-Aware for US Transfer Students?

Dartmouth College is need-blind for domestic transfer students, meaning that the university does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when making admissions decisions. Students are admitted based on their academic and personal merits, without regard to their ability to pay for their education.

Is Dartmouth Need-Blind or Need-Aware for International Transfer Students?

Dartmouth is need-blind for international transfer students, meaning that the university does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when making admissions decisions. Students are admitted based on their academic and personal merits, without regard to their ability to pay for their education.

Deciding Whether You Should Transfer to Dartmouth

With a student-faculty ratio of 7:1, Dartmouth provides an unparalleled level of individualized attention to its students. Over 60% of classes have fewer than 20 individuals in it, permitting an intimate learning atmosphere that helps foster growth and achievement. Put simply, the small class sizes at Dartmouth are ideal for those who wish to get the most out of their studies!

Dartmouth students are evidently delighted with their college experience, as illustrated by the impressive 97% retention rate of first-year students. This number speaks volumes about what it’s like to be a student at Dartmouth and reflects how pleased they are with their choice in undergraduate school.

When deciding if transferring to Dartmouth College is the right choice for you, location should also be taken into consideration. Set in the quaint rural town of Hanover, the college lies comfortably between the majestic Connecticut River and the White Mountains. Outdoor lovers will be delighted with how close they are to New Hampshire’s natural beauty and wonders!

For students who are eager to succeed in Dartmouth’s difficult academic atmosphere, thrive in small classes, and enjoy the outdoors, transferring to Dartmouth may be their path to an incredibly stimulating undergraduate experience!

If you’re thinking about transferring to Dartmouth reach out for a consultation to see how we can help you stand out amongst your peers!