Dartmouth College Supplemental Essay Guide
Dartmouth is not just looking for top students. They are looking for thoughtful people who will thrive in a close, collaborative campus. Their short essays help admissions understand your personality, your thinking style, and how you will fit into the Dartmouth community.
Each prompt is short, but every word matters. Here is how to approach each one clearly and confidently.
Why Dartmouth? (100 words)
The prompt asks:
Why are you interested in Dartmouth, and why is it a good fit for you?
What Dartmouth really wants to know:
They want to see that you have done real research and that your goals match what Dartmouth offers. This is not about ranking or prestige. It is about fit.
What this question is testing:
Can you connect your interests to their school in a meaningful way?
Questions to help you think:
What programs, classes, or learning styles at Dartmouth excite me?
What kind of campus environment helps me grow best?
How does Dartmouth match the way I like to learn and live?
How to answer well:
Choose two or three specific Dartmouth features and explain why they matter to you personally. Keep it focused and clear.
Introduce Yourself (250 words, choose one)
You will choose one prompt that asks you to describe your background or introduce who you are.
What Dartmouth really wants to know:
They want to understand your story. What shaped you, what you care about, and how you see the world.
This is your personality essay.
Questions to help you think:
What part of my life experience has shaped me the most?
What values guide my decisions today?
What makes my perspective different from others?
How to answer well:
Use one main story or theme. Show how your background shaped who you are now, not just what happened.
Personal Insight Essay (250 words, choose one)
These prompts ask about what excites you, what you wonder about, or how you hope to make an impact.
What Dartmouth really wants to know:
They are looking for curious, motivated thinkers. Students who care deeply about ideas, people, or change.
Questions to help you think:
What topic do I think about even when no one asks me to?
What problem in the world do I care about?
What activity makes me lose track of time?
How to answer well:
Focus on one passion or idea and explain why it matters to you. Show your thinking, not just your interest.
How Your Essays Should Work Together
When admissions finishes reading, they should clearly see:
Why Dartmouth fits you.
Who you are as a person.
What drives your curiosity and ambition?
Your essays should sound like different chapters of the same story, not random answers.
Great essays are not about sounding perfect. They are about sounding real.
At Success Admissions Center, we help you discover your story and express it with confidence. Let us guide you step by step toward your Dartmouth goal.
Fill out the Inquiry Form to start your application journey with expert guidance today.
