Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College, located in Hanover, New Hampshire, is a prestigious private Ivy League research university. Established in 1769 by Eleazar Wheelock, it is one of the nine colonial colleges founded before the American Revolution. Originally created to educate Native Americans in Christian theology, it later expanded its mission and became known for its focus on liberal arts education. Dartmouth is one of the smallest Ivy League schools, with an undergraduate population of around 6,700 students.

The college offers a wide range of academic programs through its 40 departments and interdisciplinary programs. Students can choose from 60 majors, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Dartmouth allows students to design special concentrations or engage in dual degree programs. The university is home to several graduate schools, including the Geisel School of Medicine, the Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business.

Dartmouth's campus spans 269 acres, located in a rural part of New England, and offers beautiful surroundings along the Connecticut River. The university operates on a quarter system, with four ten-week academic terms throughout the year. Dartmouth’s athletic programme is robust, with 34 varsity sports teams competing in the Ivy League. The campus is known for its traditions, including Winter Carnival and Green Key, and its strong Greek culture.

Dartmouth’s admissions are highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of approximately 6%, making it one of the most selective institutions in the US. The college has a holistic admissions process, valuing academic achievement, leadership, and extracurricular involvement. The average SAT score for admitted students is 1501, with an average ACT score of 33. Dartmouth is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need, providing generous financial aid packages, including free tuition for families with incomes under $125,000.

Notable alumni include U.S. Presidents, Nobel laureates, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, and numerous public figures. The college has a strong alumni network and is considered one of the top institutions for undergraduate education in the world.

Dartmouth College was founded in 1769 by Eleazar Wheelock in Hanover, New Hampshire, with the original aim of educating Native Americans in Christian theology and the Anglo-American way of life. Wheelock, a Yale graduate and Congregational minister, initially set up Moor's Indian Charity School in 1755, with the goal of training Native American youth. However, the school struggled financially, leading Wheelock to seek additional funding from various sources, including a trip to England with Samson Occom, a Mohegan Indian who had been educated under Wheelock. This trip raised sufficient funds, which helped Wheelock establish Dartmouth College.

The college was chartered on December 13, 1769, by the Royal Governor of New Hampshire, John Wentworth, in the name of King George III. Dartmouth was initially intended to be a school for Native Americans, with a mission to "civilize and Christianise" them, but it also admitted English-speaking youth. Despite the college’s initial intent, the focus soon shifted to educating white students, with the number of Native American students attending the college remaining low. The name "Dartmouth" was taken from William Legge, 2nd Earl of Dartmouth, who supported Wheelock’s efforts but did not contribute any funds.

The college granted its first degrees in 1771. During its early years, Dartmouth struggled financially and had difficulties maintaining its educational goals, but it continued to operate with the help of donors and the support of the local community. The college’s early curriculum focused primarily on theology and liberal arts.

In the 19th century, Dartmouth began to expand its scope. The college faced a significant challenge in 1816 when the New Hampshire state government attempted to change its charter to make Dartmouth a public institution. This led to the Dartmouth College case, which reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 1819. The court ruled in favour of the college, affirming its status as a private institution and preventing the state from altering its charter. This case set an important precedent for the protection of private institutions and their charters.

In the 19th century, Dartmouth began to grow academically and socially. The college, originally focused on training ministers, gradually expanded its curriculum to include other disciplines such as law, medicine, and the sciences. The Thayer School of Engineering, established in 1867, was a significant addition, marking Dartmouth's commitment to expanding its academic offerings.

During the 20th century, Dartmouth began to emerge as a prominent academic institution. Under the leadership of President William Jewett Tucker (1893–1909), Dartmouth underwent significant improvements in facilities, faculty, and the student body, marking the beginning of its rise to national prominence. The college also introduced selective admissions during this period, further raising its academic standards.

In the mid-20th century, under President John Sloan Dickey (1945–1970), Dartmouth expanded its liberal arts focus and became a leader in public policy and international relations. It was during this time that the college began to admit women as full-time students. This shift was a significant moment in Dartmouth’s history and reflected the changing dynamics of American higher education.

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Dartmouth continued to grow in prestige, attracting students from across the globe. The college established new programs and expanded its graduate schools, such as the Geisel School of Medicine (1797) and the Tuck School of Business (1900). Dartmouth's commitment to a liberal arts education, combined with a robust academic and extracurricular programme, helped it maintain its position as one of the top universities in the United States.

In the 2000s, Dartmouth began to address issues such as financial aid and inclusivity. The college implemented a need-blind admission policy for international students and increased its financial aid offerings. In 2015, Dartmouth eliminated undergraduate student loans and replaced them with expanded scholarship grants. This move made it easier for students from diverse financial backgrounds to attend the college.

Dartmouth also began focusing on sustainability in recent years. In 2024, the college launched the Dartmouth Climate Collaboration, pledging $500 million toward reducing carbon emissions on campus by 2050. This initiative includes the installation of heat pumps and geoexchange systems, marking one of the largest operational changes in the college’s history.

As of today, Dartmouth College remains one of the most selective colleges in the United States, with an acceptance rate of approximately 6%. The college continues to focus on providing an outstanding undergraduate education, while also offering graduate programmes in various fields. Dartmouth maintains a strong commitment to fostering a diverse, intellectually curious community that contributes to global scholarship and leadership.

Dartmouth's legacy includes its extensive alumni network, which includes U.S. Presidents, Nobel laureates, Fortune 500 CEOs, and Olympic medalists. The college’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement continues to define its place among the leading academic institutions worldwide. As it looks to the future, Dartmouth remains dedicated to the values it was founded upon while evolving to meet the challenges of the modern world.

Dartmouth College offers a wide range of courses across various disciplines. The college provides a liberal arts education that focuses on academic rigor while encouraging interdisciplinary studies. Dartmouth's undergraduate programme includes 40 academic departments and interdisciplinary programmes, offering 60 different majors in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Students can also design their own special concentrations or take part in dual degree programmes.

The Humanities at Dartmouth are vast and diverse, offering courses in history, philosophy, languages, literature, and the arts. The Social Sciences offer programmes in economics, sociology, psychology, anthropology, and political science. Dartmouth also provides a strong foundation in the Natural Sciences, including biology, chemistry, physics, and earth sciences. Students in these fields have access to cutting-edge research opportunities and labs.

The Engineering programmes at Dartmouth are among the best in the country. The Thayer School of Engineering offers a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) degree and graduate degrees, including M.S. and Ph.D. programmes. It is renowned for its focus on engineering and innovation.

In addition to the traditional majors, Dartmouth allows students to take advantage of its interdisciplinary programmes, which combine courses from different fields. Some popular interdisciplinary programmes include Environmental Studies, Cognitive Science, and International Relations.

Dartmouth also encourages students to engage in research opportunities. Many students get involved in independent research projects, which are often supported by faculty members who are leaders in their fields. This emphasis on research is one of the reasons Dartmouth is consistently ranked as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the United States.

For students interested in business, the Tuck School of Business offers a prestigious MBA programme. Dartmouth also has graduate programmes in medicine through the Geisel School of Medicine and in graduate engineering through the Thayer School of Engineering.

Overall, Dartmouth's academic offerings are designed to provide students with a well-rounded education, preparing them for leadership roles in various fields. Students are encouraged to engage in activities outside of the classroom, including internships, study abroad opportunities, and community service, which complement their academic learning.

• QS World University Rankings 2024: 247th (tie)
• Times Higher Education 2024: 168th (tie)
• ARWU (Academic Ranking of World Universities): 301-400
• U.S. News & World Report (National Universities): 15th (tie)
• Forbes 2019: 10th overall, 10th for research universities
• Washington Monthly: 32nd
• Wall Street Journal/College Pulse: 57th

Dartmouth College has a strong reputation for job placements and career services. Over 95% of graduates are employed or enrolled in further studies within six months of graduation. The college’s extensive alumni network and robust career services offer excellent opportunities for students in various fields, including business, healthcare, technology, and government. In addition to the traditional placement rates, many Dartmouth graduates go on to pursue advanced degrees or start their own businesses, contributing to the college’s legacy of producing highly successful professionals.

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