Dartmouth College announced on March 30 that it has issued 1,687 invitations to join the Class of 2030, selected from the second-largest undergraduate applicant pool in the college’s history. The institution received 28,863 applications for first-year admission, marking a 2.2% increase over last year and continuing a six-year trend of more than 28,000 applicants per cycle.
The sustained growth in applications reflects heightened interest in Dartmouth’s academic offerings and campus culture. According to Lee Coffin, vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid, “It is a remarkable and unprecedented run of sustained, extremely high-quality application volume.”
Regular decision candidates were notified of their admissions outcomes on March 26. Dartmouth reported an acceptance rate of 5.8%, making this the sixth consecutive year with selectivity at or below six percent. The college also extended a record $53.2 million in need-based scholarships to accepted students at the time decisions were released, with average scholarship awards projected to exceed $74,000 when students matriculate in September.
“The socioeconomic profile of the accepted class represents Dartmouth’s ongoing commitment to affordability and socioeconomic diversity,” said Dino Koff, assistant vice president and executive director of financial aid. “For undergraduate students supported by financial aid, a Dartmouth education is more affordable today versus ten years ago due to greater financial aid support.” One-fifth of admitted students come from low-income backgrounds; twenty-seven percent qualify for free tuition; and twenty-one percent are expected to receive Pell Grants.
Admitted students represent all fifty U.S. states as well as Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and fifty-nine other countries worldwide. Membership in organizations such as STARS College Network and QuestBridge has helped broaden access for rural students and those from under-resourced schools.
A significant portion—one-third—of admitted applicants cited their desire for open dialogue and free expression as key reasons for choosing Dartmouth when responding to application prompts about campus culture.
Kathryn Bezella, assistant vice president and dean of undergraduate admissions said: “Beyond the undeniable excellence of the pool… I was impressed by the remarkable breadth of perspectives. Dartmouth is continuing to experience growing enthusiasm from students drawn to the opportunity to engage with ideas and individuals who challenge their own assumptions.” She added that this willingness is essential for cultivating an intellectual community at Dartmouth.
Accepted students are invited to visit Hanover on April 20 for Dimensions—the annual admissions open house—and must submit enrollment decisions by May 1.
