Dartmouth is a private Ivy League liberal arts school in Hanover, New Hampshire. It is the most rural Ivy League and the only one with its own ski mountain. There are approximately 4,400 undergrads, and the acceptance rate is 8.8%. This means it is about twice as easy to get into Dartmouth as it is to get into Harvard, making Dartmouth a “more accessible Ivy” while still being one of the most selective and prestigious schools in the country.
The 2020-2021 supplement for Dartmouth follows the same structure and sticks to the same themes as the supplement last year, but there are a few notable changes in reference material (which will make sense as you read through the supplement).
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 the Class of 2025, what aspects of the College’s program, community, or campus environment attract your interest? (100-words)
This is Darmouth’s “why do you want to go here?” question. It is short and sweet, and a favorite of colleges across the country (albeit with different introductory sentences). As you write your response, the one word to keep in mind is ‘specificity.’ You need to be specific about your major, a program within your major, and a professor you’d like to study under. You should also include one thing outside of academics, such as a club, team, or community that you’d like to be a part of. A one-hundred-word limit doesn’t offer much space, so don’t waste words on filler. For visual reference, this is one hundred words.
Choose one of the following prompts and respond in 250-300 words:
The Hawaiian word mo’olelo is often translated as “story” but it can also refer to history, legend, genealogy, and tradition. Use one of these translations to introduce yourself.
Dartmouth has used this prompt before, and we’ve always loved it. It offers the opportunity to write about the color of life: tradition, culture, lineage, and history. You can explore food, dance, ritual, or ceremony. If you choose this prompt, you will need to focus on something you are deeply immersed in, not merely flirt with a few times a year. Bring your story to life with vivid details and a precise scene. Consider going in media res or using dialog but keep the list of characters included short. Too many moving pieces can become a distraction. You’re introducing yourself, so keep yourself at the center.
What excites you?
This is our favorite type of question because you are able to completely throw yourself into it and let your creativity and passion lead. Like the previous prompts (and all supplements), you need to be specific, especially because you have room to go deep. Tell a story, but be sure to show, don’t tell.
Before you start drafting, you’ll need to fully embrace writing from a place of passion. Communicating excitement in writing isn’t easy, and it may take a few tries. But if you stick with it, it’ll land beautifully.
In The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, William Kamkwamba, Class of 2014, reflects on constructing a windmill from recycled materials to power the 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 already made?
This prompt tells a powerful story, and it may even put you off from picking it because it is so impressive — but we think you should strongly consider this option. “Create” isn’t solely about an invention. Are you an artist? A designer? A developer? An inventor? A maker? If you make something, this prompt may be for you.
While Dartmouth keeps the door open for future inventions, we recommend sticking to things you have made or are already working on. Like the previous prompt, bring the reader into your obsession.
Curiosity is a guiding element of Toni Morrison’s talent as a writer. "I feel totally curious and alive and in control. And almost...magnificent, when I write,” she says. Celebrate your curiosity.
If this prompt sounds familiar, it’s because this is the third prompt in a row that is pretty much the same. If you weren’t tempted to pick the 2nd or 3rd prompt, this one isn’t for you. If you are considering options 2 or 3, this one should be added to your list of possibilities.
Whereas the first of this trio is about excitement, and the second is about creation, this one puts creativity front and center. If it resonates, go for it — but tell a story. Always tell a story.
“Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away,” observed Frida Kahlo. Apply Kahlo’s perspective to your own life.
This may be a good prompt for someone who has faced significant hardship, but you must be careful to keep it away from sob story territory. Focus on transition and forward movement — what is to come is as important, if not more important, than what has been.
In the aftermath of World War II, Dartmouth President John Sloane Dickey, Class of 1929, proclaimed, “The world’s troubles are your troubles … and there is nothing wrong with the world that better human beings cannot fix.” Which of the world’s “troubles” inspires you to act? How might your course of study at Dartmouth prepare you to address it?
This isn’t a lousy prompt, but it also isn’t one of our favorites. It can result in problematically grandiose answers that feel artificial or plastic. If you feel drawn towards this prompt, try applying your passion and enthusiasm towards the excitement, creativity, or creation prompts instead!
Dartmouth’s prompts are fun but they’re not easy. If you want to get accepted you’re going to have to write interesting, funny, and thought-provoking responses that tell a great story.
If you’re struggling with supplements because you don’t know where to start, send us an email. We help students navigate college admissions successfully, boosting them towards a brighter future.