How to Write the Dartmouth Supplemental Essays and Get Into Dartmouth

Dartmouth is a place for explorers—not just of the outdoors but of ideas, perspectives, and paths. Known for its flexibility, strong undergraduate focus, and tight-knit community, Dartmouth stands out among the Ivy League as a college where intellectual curiosity meets personal connection. It’s a place where you can ski in the morning, engage in a Great Issues Scholars seminar in the afternoon, and reflect on the day's adventures by the fire at Baker-Berry Library.

Dartmouth students are doers and dreamers, balancing rigorous academics with adventurous spirits. With its rural charm and the unique D-Plan, Dartmouth allows students to merge learning with life-changing experiences. The D-Plan—Dartmouth’s distinctive academic calendar—divides the year into four quarters, giving students the freedom to design their own academic and experiential path. Whether it’s through internships, research, or exploring the world, Dartmouth students are united by their pursuit of growth and discovery. Ready to show why you’re a perfect fit for Hanover’s most dynamic Ivy? Let’s dive into how to write standout essays.

Dartmouth Supplemental Essay Prompts

Required: Why Dartmouth? (100 words or fewer)

Prompt: As you seek admission to Dartmouth's Class of 2029, what aspects of the college's academic program, community, and/or campus environment attract your interest? How is Dartmouth a good fit for you?

Required: Choose One (250 words or fewer)

1. Let Your Life Speak: 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.
2. Be Yourself: "Be yourself," Oscar Wilde advised. "Everyone else is taken." Introduce yourself.

Required: Choose One (250 words or fewer)

1. What Excites You? What excites you?
2. Life of Purpose: 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?
3. Think and Wonder: In "Oh, The Thinks You Can Think," Dr. Seuss invites us to "Think and wonder. Wonder and think." Imagine your anticipated academic major: How does that course of study sync with Dr. Seuss's advice to you?
4. Difficult Conversations: The social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees have been the focus of Dame Jane Goodall's research for decades. Her understanding of animal behavior prompted the English primatologist to see a lesson for human communities as well: "Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don't believe is right." Channel Dame Goodall: Tell us about a moment when you engaged in a difficult conversation or encountered someone with an opinion or perspective that was different from your own. How did you find common ground?
5. Celebrate Your Nerdy Side: Celebrate your nerdy side.
6. Embracing Difference: "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, outlook, or sense of purpose?
7. A Great Person: Buddy Teevens '79 was a legendary and much-beloved coach at Dartmouth. He often told parents: "Your son will be a great football player when it's football time, a great student when it's academic time, and a great person all of the time." If Coach Teevens had said that to you, what would it mean to be "a great person"?

How to Tackle Each Prompt

Prompt #1: Why Dartmouth?

This essay needs to showcase how you align with Dartmouth’s unique culture and offerings.

Step 1: Highlight Dartmouth’s Unique Traits Dartmouth’s rural location, small size, and undergraduate focus make it distinct among Ivies. Standout features include:

• The D-Plan’s flexibility for global exploration, internships, and self-discovery.
• An adventurous community that embraces the outdoors and intellectual curiosity.
• Tradition-rich programs like First-Year Trips and late-night Collis hangouts.
• Close faculty mentorships fostered by a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Step 2: Personalize It Explain why Dartmouth fits your goals:

• "The D-Plan will allow me to combine my love of environmental science with real-world impact through internships at organizations addressing climate justice."
• "Dartmouth’s emphasis on close-knit mentorship will help me explore my dual passions for neuroscience and creative writing."

Pro Tip: Avoid listing stats or generic traits. Speak to how Dartmouth aligns with your academic and personal ambitions.

Prompt #2: Let Your Life Speak

This is your chance to reflect on your upbringing and its influence on who you are today.

Step 1: Find a Defining Moment Focus on a specific story that reflects your background:

• "Growing up as the child of two park rangers, my playground was the wilderness, and my lessons were in conservation and resilience."
• "As the eldest of five, I learned to lead and listen—balancing responsibility with creativity."

Step 2: Connect to Your Identity Reflect on how this experience shaped your perspective:

• "My love for storytelling emerged from translating my grandmother’s life stories into English."
• "Navigating two cultures as a bilingual student taught me adaptability and empathy."

Step 3: Tie It to Dartmouth Show how your unique perspective will enrich the Dartmouth community:

• "At Dartmouth, I’ll bring my commitment to environmental advocacy to the Big Green Bikes program, promoting sustainability across campus."

Prompt #3: Difficult Conversations

This essay is about depth, not debate. Dartmouth wants to see your capacity for empathy and growth.

Step 1: Choose a Moment That Mattered Think of a challenging conversation that changed or deepened your understanding:

• "Discussing my family’s undocumented status with a classmate who advocated for stricter immigration laws was difficult but eye-opening."
• "Explaining why my rural upbringing shaped my skepticism of renewable energy helped bridge our divides."

Step 2: Highlight Empathy Show how you approached the conversation with openness:

• "I realized their stance was shaped by economic struggles, which reframed my argument into one of shared goals."
• "We both acknowledged how personal experiences influence our views, finding common ground in our shared hope for equity."

Step 3: Connect to Dartmouth Dartmouth thrives on dialogue and collaboration. Link this to campus opportunities:

• "At Dartmouth, I’ll engage in thoughtful debates through the Great Issues Scholars program, embracing diverse perspectives."
• "Late-night conversations at Collis will be my space to navigate new ideas and find shared humanity."

Final Thoughts

Dartmouth seeks students who aren’t afraid to explore—academically, socially, and emotionally. Use these essays to showcase your openness, curiosity, and alignment with Dartmouth’s adventurous spirit.

At Top Dog, we’re here to help you craft essays highlighting your unique story while aligning perfectly with Dartmouth’s values. Let’s create a narrative that shows Hanover why you’re a great fit for their incredible community. Ready to shine? Let’s do this!