Q&A with Lauren: How Command Education Senior Mentors Help Students Earn Admission to Dartmouth

A: Many students mistakenly approach Dartmouth’s application the same way they would approach any other Ivy League school, but Dartmouth is really unique amongst the other Ivy League schools. The smallest and most rural of the Ivy League schools, Dartmouth functions more like a liberal arts college with the resources of a top-tier university.

One of the primary distinguishing aspects of Dartmouth is the D-Plan, an academic system that operates on a quarter-based calendar rather than the traditional semester schedule and allows students to customize their education in ways that are not possible at most other schools. Students take three classes per term, nine total classes per year, and take one term off to do research or engage in other extracurricular pursuits. First and foremost, the D-Plan permits and encourages interdisciplinary study, and students have abundant opportunities to take courses outside of their primary academic focus. Standout applicants demonstrate a willingness to embrace a broad, liberal arts education, showing both intellectual openness and curiosity about different fields of study.

Because the D-Plan requires that students take an off-term at an unconventional time, you will have to take ownership of your academic path and find something enriching to do during your off-term. Because of this, Dartmouth is looking for applicants who thrive in flexible environments, take initiative in their own learning, think outside the box, and are eager to expand their knowledge beyond the classroom. The admissions committee wants to admit students who are not only academically accomplished but who are also creative, independent thinkers with a wide variety of interests.

A: One of the biggest misconceptions is that Dartmouth is interchangeable with any other Ivy League school. Numerous people I know who have conducted alumni interviews with prospective Dartmouth students say that they are shocked by how many students apply simply because they want to attend an Ivy. If you think that you can simply tweak your applications to Harvard, Columbia, or Penn in order to apply to Dartmouth—your application won’t get you very far.

Successful essays at other Ivy League schools tend to emphasize a student’s niche interests, singular focus in one major area of study, and their intention to take advantage of the research opportunities offered at that institution. But Dartmouth offers a completely different experience from its Ivy League peers. From the D-Plan to the small student body and rural location, the Dartmouth experience is more intimate, exploratory, and community-driven.

The alumni network is among the most active in the Ivy League, and students are expected to fully immerse themselves in the Dartmouth experience. Homecoming Weekend is a massive event, and the summer after sophomore year—the “Sophomore Summer” term—is a defining experience for students. Instead of chasing internships like their Wharton counterparts, Dartmouth students spend a summer on campus, bonding with their peers and immersing themselves in the college’s culture. This doesn’t mean Dartmouth students don’t go on to prestigious careers—many alumni establish successful careers in law, medicine, finance—but the ethos of the school values connection and personal growth just as much as professional ambition.

In light of these things, admissions officers are not just evaluating your potential contributions to the incoming freshman class; they’re thinking about how you will continue to enrich the Dartmouth community twenty years down the line. They want to know: Will this student embrace the experience, be an active alum, and contribute to the community in the future? This is not a school students apply to just to have a prestigious name on their resumes—it’s a school for students who are genuinely excited by traditions, a tight-knit atmosphere, and a unique academic structure.

A: Given the ways in which Dartmouth is distinct from its Ivy League peers, a strong application will emphasize interdisciplinary curiosity rather than singular focus; it will directly address how you plan to spend time off campus and engage with the Hanover community; it will reflect that you are independent, resourceful, and adaptable in your thinking and that you have a clear understanding of how Dartmouth will foster those qualities.

Because of the university’s strong sense of identity and culture, specificity is key here. A good application might say, “I’m excited about Dartmouth’s flexible academic calendar and plan to use my off-term for hands-on learning.” A great one will say something like: “I am eager to use my off-term to conduct environmental research in the White Mountains, combining my love of outdoor adventure with my interest in climate science.” A good application might say, “I am interested in the D-Plan and its facilitation of interdisciplinary learning,” whereas a great application would instead specify: “I intend to take advantage of the D-Plan’s open curriculum to deepen my learning in two of my core passions—psychology and the performing arts—and continue to discover the surprising overlaps and connecting points between them.” It’s not just about identifying the hallmarks or naming the clear highlights you might find on a Google search, but instead establishing your personal understanding of how you will benefit from these aspects of the Dartmouth experience.

A: One of my students who applied and got into Dartmouth early was incredibly smart and passionate about astrophysics, but when we initially started working together, he was deeply uncomfortable deviating from certain subjects. He also assumed that personal stories were irrelevant to a STEM applicant, but his unwillingness to try and fail or show a more personal, reflective voice in his materials made him come off as impersonal and rigid.

Through our work together, I helped him realize that his academic excellence would speak for itself, but what would truly set him apart was his ability to showcase who he was beyond his curricular achievements. We shifted his essays from generic discussions of physics to deeply personal stories—one about the conversations he had with his grandfather, and another about the joy he found in helping his friends navigate their own academic struggles.

Though he thought these quotidian stories were unimportant, they actually offered the most relevant information for Dartmouth admissions officers—they showcased his curiosity, empathy, and the ability to think beyond equations and experiments. He demonstrated through his materials that he wasn’t just a brilliant student, but also a great friend, a thoughtful roommate, and someone who could contribute to Dartmouth’s tight-knit community. I don’t think he would have put himself out there and shown his less polished side if I had not had the opportunity to push him over an extended period of time.

A: Extracurricular involvement is essential at Dartmouth—not just in the admissions process, but in the overall experience of being a Dartmouth student. So much of the Dartmouth experience takes place outside of the classroom—if you’re passionate about something, there’s going to be a way to pursue it at Dartmouth. When I was a student, I was struck by the fact that no one treated Dartmouth as a consolation prize or backup Ivy League option; everyone there fully embraces everything that makes the school unique and they actively participate in the community in myriad ways outside of the classroom.

Because these are the types of community members they are seeking, Dartmouth admissions officers are more interested in the depth and quality of your extracurricular engagement than a flashy title or impressive name on your resume. You don’t have to be a nationally ranked competitor or a professional-level musician, but you should show a willingness to go beyond what’s expected. Whether through volunteering, a passion project, or a leadership role in a club, Dartmouth wants students who will fully commit to their interests and meaningfully contribute to the community.

A: First, prepare yourself to be utterly blown away. Dartmouth is a place where you’ll no longer be the smartest person in the room—but that should excite you, rather than intimidate you. Being surrounded by capable, intelligent people offers the conditions for you to learn, grow, and expand your horizons.

It’s important to remember that elite colleges like Dartmouth could fill their class with perfect SAT scores if they wanted to—but they don’t. Learning that a national debate champion or valedictorian didn’t get in can be intimidating, but what it really means is that they are looking for something more than just stats and accolades. It should be empowering rather than discouraging to know that each admit has something that makes them a valuable member of the community beyond numbers on a page.

Finally, instead of fixating on the competition, be curious about how this experience can help you learn more about yourself and your long-term goals. Ask yourself: what excites me? What do I want for my life? What am I learning about my dreams and aspirations in this process?

Getting into Dartmouth—or any prestigious school—isn’t the final destination. It’s just the beginning of something much bigger, and that should truly excite you.