What should I do to prepare for a Dartmouth admissions interview?

Prepare for a Dartmouth interview by getting comfortable telling specific stories about yourself, not by memorizing polished speeches. The strongest preparation is knowing your own application well, having a few vivid examples ready, and being able to talk naturally about Dartmouth’s community, teaching style, and outdoor culture if those genuinely appeal to you.

Be ready for common questions like tell me about yourself, why Dartmouth, what you do outside class, what academic interests you have, and what kind of community you want in college. For each, prepare one concrete example instead of a broad claim. If you say you love biology, be ready to describe a lab, project, article, or question that pulled you in. If you say you value community, talk about a specific role, group, or moment where you contributed.

For Dartmouth specifically, it helps to know a few real features you can mention naturally: strong undergraduate focus, close faculty interaction, the rural Hanover setting, and traditions or programs that match your interests. Do not list facts just to prove you researched the school. Connect them to what you want, such as excitement about a tight-knit residential community.

Also prepare thoughtful questions for your interviewer. Good ones are about their Dartmouth experience, how students build relationships with professors, what surprised them most, or how the school’s culture felt day to day.

Practice out loud enough to sound clear, but stop before it feels scripted. A good interview usually feels like a thoughtful conversation with specific examples, curiosity, and energy. Professional but warm is the right tone.