Does Dartmouth offer Early Decision?
I'm starting to plan out my college application strategy and Dartmouth is pretty high on my list right now. I've heard some schools have Early Decision, but I can't figure out if Dartmouth actually offers ED or just Early Action, or maybe both?
If anyone applied in previous years or knows for sure, could you share how their process works? I'm hoping to get a clear answer so I can decide if applying ED would be the right move for me. If you did apply ED to Dartmouth, what was your experience like?
If anyone applied in previous years or knows for sure, could you share how their process works? I'm hoping to get a clear answer so I can decide if applying ED would be the right move for me. If you did apply ED to Dartmouth, what was your experience like?
4 months ago
•
54 views
Grayce Gibbs
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Dartmouth does offer Early Decision (ED), but it does not offer Early Action. The Early Decision program at Dartmouth is binding, meaning if you are accepted ED, you are committed to enrolling and must withdraw your applications from other schools.
The deadline to apply ED to Dartmouth is usually in early November (for the Class of 2030 the deadline is November 1st). You'll get your decision in mid-December, so it does allow you to find out your college results earlier in the application cycle. But, remember, because ED is binding, you should only apply if Dartmouth is truly your first-choice school.
As for the process itself, you submit your application (usually the Common App) along with the ED Agreement form, confirming your commitment if accepted. Applicant pools in ED tend to be smaller and can sometimes result in higher acceptance rates, but it varies year to year.
If you have a strong interest in Dartmouth and are confident it’s where you want to spend your college years, ED can be a great option. For example, one student last year said that applying ED helped them focus their essays and show genuine enthusiasm for Dartmouth, which they believe helped their application stand out. Others mentioned that applying ED took some of the stress off the rest of senior year since they had an answer early on.
Ultimately, make sure you review the binding commitment with your family, especially regarding financial aid. If you need to compare aid packages, that’s something to factor into your decision.
The deadline to apply ED to Dartmouth is usually in early November (for the Class of 2030 the deadline is November 1st). You'll get your decision in mid-December, so it does allow you to find out your college results earlier in the application cycle. But, remember, because ED is binding, you should only apply if Dartmouth is truly your first-choice school.
As for the process itself, you submit your application (usually the Common App) along with the ED Agreement form, confirming your commitment if accepted. Applicant pools in ED tend to be smaller and can sometimes result in higher acceptance rates, but it varies year to year.
If you have a strong interest in Dartmouth and are confident it’s where you want to spend your college years, ED can be a great option. For example, one student last year said that applying ED helped them focus their essays and show genuine enthusiasm for Dartmouth, which they believe helped their application stand out. Others mentioned that applying ED took some of the stress off the rest of senior year since they had an answer early on.
Ultimately, make sure you review the binding commitment with your family, especially regarding financial aid. If you need to compare aid packages, that’s something to factor into your decision.
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Grayce Gibbs
Denver, CO
Dartmouth College (AB); Colorado School of Mines (MS)
Experience
4 years