Dartmouth College

Dartmouth's D-Plan (quarter system) defines its academic rhythm—students take just three intensive courses per term, allowing deep focus but requiring disciplined time management. The liberal arts core encourages exploration, with strengths in:

• Social Sciences (32% of degrees, the most popular major category)
• Engineering (notably hands-on for an Ivy, with BE graduates averaging $102K starting salaries)
• Interdisciplinary programs like Environmental Studies and Native American Studies

With a 7:1 student-faculty ratio, Dartmouth emphasizes close mentorship. The college's rural isolation fosters an "all-in" academic culture—one student notes it's "not MIT-level brutal, but you'll pull some all-nighters at Baker-Berry Library." Unique offerings include:

• Sophomore Summer (a required on-campus term bonding the class)
• 80+ study abroad programs (60% participation rate)
• Thayer School of Engineering (integrates liberal arts with technical rigor)

Life at Dartmouth revolves around its remote Hanover setting—think hiking the Appalachian Trail by day, debating Kant by night. The social scene blends Ivy tradition with outdoorsy spontaneity:

• Greek life dominates (60% participation, though the college is working to diversify options)
• Outdoor Programs Office loans gear for skiing, kayaking, and mountaineering
• Winter Carnival (a century-old tradition with snow sculptures and polar plunges)

Students describe a "work hard, play hard" vibe where "everyone knows your name." The lack of nearby cities means campus is self-contained—you'll find undergrads harvesting veggies at the organic farm or browsing the Hood Museum between classes. Housing is guaranteed all four years, with 87% of students living on campus.

Dartmouth's 96% graduation rate (top 5% nationally) reflects both student quality and robust support. Alumni outcomes are stellar:

• Median earnings: $111,883 (6 years post-grad, per College Scorecard)
• Class of 2024 satisfaction: 90.6% satisfied with their education (45.2% "extremely")
• Engineering grads average $102K starting salaries (higher for MEM grads at $129K)

The tight-knit alumni network ("Dartmouth Mafia") opens doors in finance, tech, and academia. About 22% pursue grad school immediately, with strong pipelines to top law and med programs.

Dartmouth's sticker price is steep ($86,494 for 2024-25), but its aid policies are among the most generous in the Ivy League:

• Free tuition for families earning <$175K (no loans)
• $0 parent contribution for incomes under $125K
• Average net price: $19,208 after aid (53.79% of students receive assistance)

The aid package typically includes grants (not loans), with the average recipient getting $71,318 in aid. Even upper-middle-class families benefit—those earning $200K may pay only ~$30K.

Dartmouth is the Ivy that feels most like a liberal arts college—small (4,500 undergrads), personal, and quirky. Its defining traits:

• The D-Plan: Lets students mix terms on/off campus (study abroad, internships)
• Outdoor DNA: From First-Year Trips in the White Mountains to the 45,000-acre Second College Grant
• Undergraduate focus: No competing grad schools dilute resources (unlike Harvard or Yale)

It's for students who want Ivy prestige without Ivy pretension—where you can debate Derrida in the morning and summit Mount Moosilauke by afternoon.