When is the Dartmouth peer recommendation deadline?

The Dartmouth peer recommendation, while optional, is a unique part of the application and you're right to double-check the deadline. Typically, Dartmouth sets the peer recommendation deadline to line up with the general application deadline (November 1 for Early Decision, January 2 for Regular Decision). However, Dartmouth is known to offer a little grace period for materials like teacher recommendations and the peer rec if your application is submitted on time.

This means that while you should aim to have your peer recommendation submitted by the application deadline, you generally have a week or so after the main deadline for it to arrive without penalty. For example, if you submit your Common App for Regular Decision on January 2, your peer recommender might have until around January 8-10 to upload their letter without any issues. The admissions portal may show the peer rec as 'awaited' after you've submitted, but as long as it arrives within this buffer window, your application will still be considered complete.

Still, it’s always safest to get it in by the deadline if possible, or shortly after. Let your friend know the ideal date, but if they’re worried about time, reassure them there is a slight cushion. And as a tip: once your application is submitted, you can check your Dartmouth application portal to see what materials are missing; you'll find the peer rec listed separately, which helps keep track.

For instance, last cycle, applicants noted in forums that their portals continued to show outstanding peer or teacher recommendations as long as a week after the deadline, and once the recommenders submitted them soon after, there were no negative consequences. If there are any concerns about more time, your friend can also email Dartmouth’s admissions office, or you can, and they’re pretty responsive.