Dartmouth Interview

November 22, 2022
By AdmissionSight

Dartmouth Interview

How Do You Get An Interview With Dartmouth?

How do you get an interview with Dartmouth? After submitting your application, you might be given the chance to speak with a Dartmouth alumnus in person. For the 2022–23 application cycle, Dartmouth interviews will be conducted both digitally (by phone or video call) and in person. The following are some frequently asked questions about the interview at Dartmouth.

How is the Interview Arranged?

An interview does not need to be scheduled. Your contact information is forwarded to volunteer alumni admissions ambassadors once you completed your application. The interview is then scheduled by the alumni using the email address you supplied in your application. Candidates for Early Decision are typically scheduled for interviews in November.

Two people talking on a table.

While candidates for the Regular Decision are interviewed between the beginning of December and the middle of February. Dartmouth only conducts alumni interviews and not on-campus interviews.

Is the Interview Required?

Despite the alumni’s best efforts, Dartmouth is unable to conduct interviews with every application due to the geography and availability of the alumni members thus, Dartmouth interviews are optional.

What Should You Do If You Have Been Invited For An Interview?

Interviews with alumni can be informative and evaluative. The alumni members are available to answer your questions, and by conversing with you, they will discover more about you. The interview report is placed in your file and examined with the rest of your submissions.

Two business students talking on table.

Interviews can be conducted over the phone, in person, or through a virtual platform. It is forbidden for students and alumni to videotape the discussion. If you are unable to accept the invitation or would prefer not to participate in the interview, please let the alumnus know as soon as possible. The alumnus/a will make use of the time to offer an interview to a different candidate instead.

What Are the Questions To Expect In A Dartmouth Interview?

What are the questions to expect in a Dartmouth interview? These questions will most probably be asked during your Dartmouth College interview.

  • Describe your classes, teachers, favorite subjects, and least favorite subjects at your school.
  • Were you particularly proud of a project, article, lab, etc. when you finished it?
  • What do you have planned for the future—college, major, career?
  • Which of your current activities—and why—are the most significant to you?
  • What would your coworkers or teachers say about you?
  • What comes to mind when you think about the perfect college experience?

Before your interview, you should practice answering these questions. Participating in practice interviews is one way to do this. They are an excellent technique to become more at ease speaking out in front of others. Use these common questions asked during the Dartmouth interview. We’ll cover more later about how to approach challenging questions.

What Kind Of Students Does Dartmouth Look For?

Every student the school accepts contributes something special to the community—a mix of traits, life experiences, and perspectives that no other student possesses. The idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts is the basis of Dartmouth’s holistic selection approach. This notion is the driving force behind Dartmouth’s application review procedure.

View of two women taking on a table.

So, What kind of students does Dartmouth look for? You can learn a little more about the attributes Dartmouth seeks in applicants by reading the school’s values page. The following are just a few of the attributes that are mentioned there:

  • Academic excellence
  • Independent thought
  • Teamwork skills
  • Respect for diversity
  • Openness to explore and value opposing viewpoints
  • A sense of social and global responsibility

You must be able to articulate your moral principles and your love of learning to be accepted at Dartmouth. To get admitted to this school, you must also be of good moral character.

There were 28,336 applications filed for a spot in the freshmen class of 2022–2023. For comparison, Dartmouth received over 16,500 applications to fill the Class of 2012 seats. About 6.2% of applications were accepted for the Class of 2026, which is the lowest percentage in school history. The admittance rate dropped into the single digits for the sixth time in the history of the school.

With a median SAT score of 1520 for enrolled freshmen and an average ACT score of 33, ninety-four percent of the Class of 2025 has achieved a position in the top 10%, according to the most current figures available (Class of 2024). More than 500 of the admitted students in a normal year were either their high school class salutatorian or valedictorian.

To exhibit who gets into Dartmouth and how the school values diversity, here are notes and trends in the admissions for the Class of 2026.

  • The Class of 2026 admitted students from 73 nations and every state in the United States.
  • Of all American citizens, 53% identify as people of color.
  • About 17% of students will be attending college for the first time.
  • Invitees to the Class of 2026 receive Pell Grants at a rate of 19%.
  • About 15% of the Class of 2026’s acceptances are from remote areas.
  • Of those admitted to ED, 22% were expected to graduate valedictorian or salutatorian.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the makeup of the Class of 2025.

Students from the following states made up the Class of 2025:

  • Mid-Atlantic States: 20%
  • Southern States: 16%
  • Western States: 24%
  • Midwestern States: 8%
  • New England States: 17%

Those who come from states with an inexhaustible supply of eligible applicants face the most intense competition (the entire Northeast & the West Coast). You are more likely to improve your chances of admittance if you are from the Deep South or a less populated state like Montana or Idaho. Additionally, 15% of the members of the Class of 2025 were foreign students.

On campus, the following nations have the most representation:

  1. Canada
  2. China
  3. India
  4. U.K.
  5. Brazil

The breakdown of current undergraduates according to ethnicity is as follows (percentages do not total  100% as candidates can list multiple races):

  • White: 49%
  • Asian: 15%
  • Hispanic: 10%
  • African American: 6%
  • American Indian: 1%
  • Two or more races: 6%

Types of Secondary School the Admitted Students Attended

  1. Public School: 54%
  2. Independent Schools: 34%
  3. Religious Schools: 12%
  4. Total Number of High Schools: 956

Does the Dartmouth Alumni Interview Matter?

Interviews are scheduled after your application has been received. You will not be at a disadvantage in the admissions process if you don’t have an interview. If you are offered an interview, it may teach you something new about Dartmouth and provide you a chance to express yourself a little more clearly in your application.

Does the Dartmouth alumni interview matter? The goal of the Dartmouth interview with alumni volunteers is to get to know the applicant as a genuine, live person. Admissions consider individuals, not numbers. The officers need to know about your hobbies, passions, and academic interests so they can see how you might fit into the unique Hanover community.

View of female student being interviewed in a room.

Going back, Dartmouth interviews are not just informative but most importantly evaluative, so you must leave a positive first impression on the interviewer. Though it might not make up the biggest factor of the admissions decisions, remember that every component makes up the whole application.

How Do I Prepare For A Dartmouth Interview?

Now that we have discussed the possible questions and the importance of the alumni interview, you might wonder “How do I prepare for a Dartmouth Interview?” The institution has handily provided a list of advice for acing the Dartmouth interview. It’s crucial to keep in mind that the goal of the alumni interview at Dartmouth is to determine whether you would complement one another. To that aim, tailor your responses to reflect your best qualities and show why you require Dartmouth to achieve your academic and professional objectives. Here are some tips on how to nail your interview:

Check Your Email Frequently.

Interviewers will contact you at the email address you provided on your application. Make sure to frequently check your email to avoid missing an invitation.

Never Refuse An Interview Invitation.

Always remember to accept interview invitations unless there is an emergency. Rejecting an interview with Dartmouth College because you are anxious or uncertain is not a good idea. It is advised to take advantage of this chance to learn more about the school. This is your chance to add your voice to your application materials.

Respond Promptly.

If you receive an invitation to an interview, let them know right away whether you’ll be able to make it or not. This also demonstrates courteousness towards the interviewer and the institution.

Establish a Strong First Impression.

Be punctual. Although it is not necessary to dress formally, do so. Although it is not necessary, dressing formally is strongly advised to create a great first impression. It shows your commitment to excellence and your seriousness about the Dartmouth interview. The admissions committee can tell you care by this detail.

Think Ahead.

Although not needed, a brief résumé or activity sheet can be useful to your interviewer. Giving the interviewer a quick informational sheet demonstrates effort, preparation, attention to detail, and professionalism.

Prepare Some Questions.

What inquiries do you have about Dartmouth? Your interviewer will gain insight into your values and thought process from your questions. Make sure you have interviewer-specific questions ready. The interview with the admissions ambassador is a fantastic way to learn about campus life and the alumni network.

By learning more about Dartmouth, you might come up with queries. Ask questions that specifically target your objectives and areas of interest. For instance, if you wish to major in English, you can enquire about the literary journal at the university, publisher networking opportunities, and more. These kinds of smart inquiries will show your enthusiasm.

Be Ready For Challenging Questions.

Remember to structure your response in a way that demonstrates a growth mindset when faced with challenging inquiries like, “What is your worst subject?”

If math was your weakest subject, for instance, do not waste time whining about it. Instead, concentrate on how you overcame difficulties. Did you take the initiative to lead your class’s study group? Have you asked your teacher for extra assistance and developed a close academic bond? Did you offer to help other students once you overcome your difficulties and improved your math grades? These are but a few strategies for handling touch subjects; always make a negative into a positive.

Students at Dartmouth love their school because of its strong feeling of community. It is small enough to know most of the people you come across yet big enough to offer a wide range of interesting programs and extracurricular activities.

The “D-Plan,” the school’s quarter-system calendar, is also favored by students. Students must enroll in three classes per term and finish 35 classes throughout 12 terms to graduate because each of the four periods lasts for 10 weeks. That implies students might not attend a class every term and that they could theoretically finish in three years. The advantages of this kind of plan also include greater freedom in accepting opportunities for study abroad, research, and internships.

If you are interested in the geographic and academic setup at Dartmouth, make sure to start your application preparation now and take advantage of the Dartmouth interview if you will receive an invite. You can work with AdmissionSight to guide you through the tough admissions process to this prestigious institution. AdmissionSight has assisted thousands of students over the past 10 years to boost their chances toward their dream school. Set up an initial consultation with us today!

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