Dartmouth's Supplemental Essay Prompts

For the 2023-2024 application cycle, Dartmouth College requires all applicants to respond to three supplemental essay questions, listed below. With Dartmouth’s November 1 early decision deadline approaching, now is the time to begin these responses if you haven’t yet!

One of our favorite prompts asks applicants to respond to the words of Dartmouth alum, Dr. Seuss (aka Theodor Geisel, Class of 1925), who wrote, “Think and wonder. Wonder and think.” In your short essay, prospective students are asked, “as you wonder and think, what’s on your mind?”

We also love the option to “Celebrate your nerdy side” in a short essay. Dartmouth, like all elite colleges, is looking for students with intellectual vitality, students who love to learn, and students who are curious about the world. This is a great option to showcase how you have gone above and beyond to pursue your unique scholarly interests.

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Our very own Maria Laskaris, Senior Private Counselor, can speak from experience. She graduated from Dartmouth College in 1984 and served as the Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Dartmouth, overseeing all facets of the admissions and financial aid processes and evaluating tens of thousands of applicants.

Maria shared her top tips as you approach the Dartmouth supplements:

More than anything, Dartmouth is defined by its special sense of place. It’s beautiful setting along the banks of the Connecticut River forges community and builds character. Students flock to campus from around the country and around the world, entranced by the setting and eager to join its intellectually inspired, diverse, and vibrant community.

It’s not surprising that the first supplemental essay prompt focuses on just that—Dartmouth celebrates the ways in which its profound sense of place informs its profound sense of purpose. As you seek admission to Dartmouth’s Class of 2028, what aspects of the College’s academic program, community, or campus environment attract your interest? In short, Why Dartmouth? Please respond in 100 words or fewer.

This small college on the hill—beloved by so many—combines the cutting-edge resources and research of a major university with a deep commitment to undergraduate education where students are inspired to be their best selves. A flexible, year-round calendar encourages students to stretch their horizons through interdisciplinary study, nearly limitless major/minor combinations, and study-abroad opportunities and apply their learning through internships and volunteer work.

So, before you sit down to respond to Dartmouth’s “why” supplemental essay prompt, do your homework. In 100 words or less, why do you see Dartmouth as the perfect fit for you? Love the quarter system and flexibility of D-Plan? Great—just don’t regurgitate the basic talking points from the info session. How would you customize the calendar to fit your interests? How will you take advantage of these amazing opportunities to stretch and challenge yourself? Love the rural setting and access to the outdoors? Terrific — instead of telling Dartmouth how cool it is that they have their own skiway, share why you think this particular learning environment—this special sense of place—will inspire you to be your best self.

Dartmouth firmly believes that a diverse student body is one of its most important educational resources. The college’s second set of essay prompts is meant to learn more about you — and what your unique background, perspectives, and experiences would add to the diversity of the community. There is no one archetype of a Dartmouth student — and that’s the beauty of the place. Share a moment or a set of experiences that are important to you and reflect on their meaning. How did those moments shape the person you are today and what from those experiences will you bring with you to Dartmouth?

Among one of the most iconic figures in Dartmouth’s history is its 12th president, John Sloan Dickey ’29. Dartmouth challenges students to use their education to make an impact in the world, very much in keeping with the words of this legendary president: “The world’s troubles are your troubles, and there’s nothing wrong with the world that better [human beings] cannot fix.”

As you tackle one of the third set of supplemental essay prompts, remember that it’s in Dartmouth’s DNA to want to make the world a better place — whether an important issue to you close to home or a major societal challenge. Think about President Dickey’s challenge to generations of Dartmouth students as you write your third supplement. As you reflect on President Dickey and labor leader Dolores Huerta’s words, share how you are making — or hope to make — an impact.

Dartmouth’s mission statement lays it out for you: Dartmouth educates the most promising students and prepares them for a lifetime of learning and of responsible leadership. Use your three Dartmouth supplements to show that you fit that bill perfectly!

Dartmouth’s Supplemental Essay Prompts

1. Required of all applicants. Please respond in 100 words or fewer:
Dartmouth celebrates the ways in which its profound sense of place informs its profound sense of purpose. As you seek admission to Dartmouth’s Class of 2028, what aspects of the College’s academic program, community, and/or campus environment attract your interest? In short, why Dartmouth?

2. Required of all applicants, please respond to one of the following prompts in 250 words or fewer:
A. There is a Quaker saying: Let your life speak. Describe the environment in which you were raised and the impact it has had on the person you are today.
B. “Be yourself,” Oscar Wilde advised. “Everyone else is taken.” Introduce yourself.

3. Required of all applicants, please respond to one of the following prompts in 250 words or fewer:
A. What excites you?
B. 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 already making—an impact? Why? How?
C. Dr. Seuss, aka Theodor Geisel of Dartmouth’s Class of 1925, wrote, “Think and wonder. Wonder and think.” As you wonder and think, what’s on your mind?
D. Celebrate your nerdy side.
E. “It’s not easy being green…” was the frequent refrain of Kermit the Frog. How has difference been a part of your life, and how have you embraced it as part of your identity and outlook?
F. As noted in the College’s mission statement, “Dartmouth educates the most promising students and prepares them for a lifetime of learning and of responsible leadership…” Promise and potential are important aspects of the assessment of any college application, but they can be elusive qualities to capture. Highlight your potential and promise for us; what would you like us to know about you?

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Are you thinking about applying to Dartmouth College? Confused on how to start writing these essays? Contact us to discuss our Essay Guidance Program or Personal Boot Camp.

By working on your applications now, you will be able to reap the benefit of increased odds in the early round of admissions. Top Tier Admissions is tracking supplemental essay prompts for all top schools here — we look forward to supporting you!