Last Updated on September 25, 2026
Quick answer: Dartmouth’s writing supplement for the Class of 2031 asks three questions. [1] The first is a 100-word question about why Dartmouth. The second and third are 250 words each, and you choose one option from each set. Apply by November 1 for Early Decision or January 1 for Regular Decision. [2]
Dartmouth updated its supplemental essay questions for the 2026-27 cycle. The prompts below reflect those changes, verified against Dartmouth’s admissions site in August 2026.
If you are drafting for several schools at once, how the choose-one prompts work at other schools is worth reading alongside this one.
Dartmouth’s writing supplement is short, and every word of it is read. Dartmouth admitted 1,699 of 28,230 applicants to the Class of 2029, an acceptance rate of 6.0%, so scores, activities, and the personal statement alone will not carry a file. [3] The supplement is where you show what you actually know about Dartmouth, and where a reader decides whether you have looked past the brochure. These essays provide an opportunity for the admissions officers to gain deeper insight into your values within an academic environment, the current events that resonate with you, and any unique aspects of your background. Below is each prompt, what it is actually asking, and how to answer it inside the word limit.
Dartmouth Supplemental Essays
Question 1 (Required)
Required of all applicants. Please respond in 100 words or fewer:
As you seek admission to Dartmouth’s Class of 2031, what aspects of the college’s academic program, community, and/or campus environment attract your interest? How is Dartmouth a good fit for you?
The key to answering this prompt is to clearly state what you’re looking for from your college experience. Don’t write one sentence about ten or twelve different things you enjoy about Dartmouth – focus on one or two. InGenius Prep counselor Heather McCutchen, who worked as an Admissions Officer at Dartmouth, also adds, “Dartmouth wants people who will appreciate their beautiful, rural setting. If you have visited the campus, let the admissions team envision you there, tell them where you see yourself exploring, enjoying, and making the most of your experience!”
If you haven’t had the chance to visit Dartmouth in person, browse the college’s website or social media pages and see how the different courses, clubs, or study abroad programs align with your passions. You might be fascinated by the ability to design your own unique major. Or perhaps you are excited by the prospect of studying astrophysics in greater detail than ever. Maybe you are inspired to write about how you’re drawn in by the campus improv groups and view them as a great opportunity to hone your performance skills. Whatever it is that grabs your attention, reflect on all the different ways you might benefit from it at Dartmouth.
Remember, when the admissions officers finish reading your essay, they should have a clear picture of why you are excited to attend Dartmouth! Your essay should highlight your application persona, which is the memorable hook that makes you unique. Are you an artist who has participated in exhibitions around your state? Are you a budding zoologist who’s worked in animal shelters? Even though the word limit is so restrictive, admissions officers should be able to picture you contributing to different aspects of campus life.
Question 2 (Required; Choose One)
Required of all applicants, please respond to one of the following prompts in 250 words or fewer:
A. There is a Quaker saying: Let your life speak. Describe the environment in which you were raised and the impact it has had on the person you are today.
For this prompt, Heather notes, “Make sure that when you write about your life, you are still the protagonist of the story! Show your family/community context as the frame where you grew.” The goal is for the admissions officers to understand the environment in which you were raised. Give them insight into the values, beliefs, and traditions that have influenced your personal growth and development.
For example, you can describe how your parents instilled certain values in you, such as the importance of hard work, compassion, or perseverance. You can explain how growing up in a close-knit community shaped your understanding of the world and fostered a sense of belonging. Alternatively, you can reflect on how your family and community have influenced your aspirations and goals. Perhaps witnessing the struggles faced by your community motivated you to pursue a career in social justice or advocacy. Or maybe the support and encouragement from your family have fueled your ambition to excel academically or pursue a particular field of study.
Remember to include personal anecdotes throughout your response. This adds depth and authenticity to your essay, allowing the admissions officers to gain a more holistic understanding of who you are as an individual.
B. “Be yourself,” Oscar Wilde advised. “Everyone else is taken.” Introduce yourself.
Both of these questions are looking for the same thing! Heather adds, “Show your personality. Make sure that this is specific and uniquely you. If other high schoolers could say the same things, then you aren’t being specific enough.” Remember that the admissions officers want to get to know you as an individual. They want to understand what sets you apart from other applicants and what makes you unique.
When crafting your response, be specific and authentic. Think about the experiences, interests, and values that truly define you as a person. Consider the moments in your life that have shaped your identity and influenced your outlook. What are the qualities and characteristics that make you who you are? Avoid generic or cliché answers that could apply to any high schooler. Instead, delve into the specific details that make your personality shine. Share anecdotes, personal stories, and vivid descriptions that bring your experiences to life.
By being specific and uniquely you in your responses, you’ll leave a lasting impression on the admissions officers. They want to know what you are like to have in a seminar room at 9 a.m. So don’t be afraid to be yourself and share the aspects of your personality that make you truly one-of-a-kind.
Question 3 (Required; Choose One)
Required of all applicants, please respond to one of the following prompts in 250 words or fewer:
A. What excites you?
This is an extremely open-ended prompt. In fact, the scope is so broad that you might be tempted to avoid answering this question altogether. However, this prompt does provide a wonderful opportunity for the Dartmouth admissions officers to get to know you beyond what you’ve stated on your personal statement and activities list. On its website, the school states that it, “encourages independent thought, and promotes a robust culture of interdisciplinary collaboration” as well as provides a “comprehensive out-of-classroom experiences, including service opportunities, international study, and global engagement.” Think about these factors as you ponder on what to write about — how do you express yourself? How have you collaborated with others? What inspires you to get out of bed every morning?
The answer to this question doesn’t have to center on a groundbreaking activity or passion. While it’s certainly impressive if you started a reproductive rights advocacy organization based on your passion for women’s health issues, you can also write about something on a smaller scale, such as how excited you are to play with your own rock band because you live and breathe music. You might add in how you plan to take action on these ideas at Dartmouth. Don’t go overboard with connecting it back to Dartmouth (the question doesn’t ask for this explicitly), but it may feel natural to reference how you plan to use these ideas at the college.
Heather also adds, “This is a great chance to show an activity that didn’t make it into the ten on your activity list. Again, what excites you needs to still be about you and help us understand something awesome about you.”
B. Labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta recommended a life of purpose. “We must use our lives to make the world a better place to live, not just to acquire things,” she said. “That is what we are put on the earth for.” In what ways do you hope to make—or are you already making—an impact? Why? How?
Heather cautions, “Answers to this prompt often feel impossibly grand or way too insignificant, so only choose this prompt if you feel particularly inspired by it and have something very specific to share.”
If you do decide to tackle this prompt, take a moment to reflect on how you hope to make an impact, whether it’s on a local, national, or global scale. Consider the issues and causes that resonate with you, and think about the unique skills, experiences, and perspectives that you bring to the table. Remember, impact doesn’t always have to be measured by grand gestures or world-changing actions. It can also be found in the small and meaningful connections we make with others, the acts of kindness and empathy we show, or the positive changes we bring to our immediate communities.
Don’t be afraid to share your aspirations and the actions you’re already taking to make a difference. Whether it’s through volunteering, advocacy, leadership roles, or personal projects, highlight the ways in which you are actively working towards creating a better world. And most importantly, explain why these efforts are important to you and how they align with your values and beliefs.
By writing about the work you actually do and why you keep doing it, you show the admissions officers at Dartmouth that you are not only driven and ambitious, but also deeply compassionate and socially conscious. Remember, it’s not the size of the impact that matters, but rather the intention and effort behind it.
C. In an Instagram post, best-selling British author Matt Haig cheered the impact of reading. “A good novel is the best invention humans have ever created for imagining other lives,” he wrote. How have you experienced such insight from reading? What did you read and how did it alter the way you understand yourself and others?
This question is really asking how literature has reshaped your perspective. The admissions committee does not just want to hear the plot of the book you choose. They want to see how it made you think differently.
Choose a text that genuinely influenced you. It does not have to be a classic from your English class. Contemporary novels, memoirs, and works in translation are all valid. What matters most is showing how the book helped you imagine other lives in a way that is specific and personal.
For example, if you read The Sympathizer and it gave you a new lens on identity and duality, explain how that helped you reflect on your own background or on how people live between cultures. If you read Parable of the Sower and it reshaped how you think about climate justice, show how that perspective now influences the way you approach science or service.
The strongest responses link the story you encountered to the way you now see people, systems, or yourself. Dartmouth wants students who think critically and empathetically. Your essay should leave the reader with the sense that reading changes not just how you interpret a text but how you interpret the world.
D. The social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees have been the focus of Dame Jane Goodall’s research for decades. Her understanding of animal behavior prompted the English primatologist to see a lesson for human communities as well: “Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don’t believe is right.” Channel Dame Goodall: Tell us about a moment when you engaged in a difficult conversation or encountered someone with an opinion or perspective that was different from your own. How did you find common ground?
This one rewards a specific disagreement, not a general belief in open-mindedness. Pick a real conversation with a real person, name what you each thought and why, and be honest about what shifted and what did not. Common ground does not have to mean agreement. It can mean understanding why a reasonable person landed somewhere else. Avoid the version where you patiently correct someone and they thank you.
E. Celebrate your nerdy side.
If you are someone who is passionate about academic research, this is the perfect prompt to share your ideas and explore the subjects that truly excite you. Dartmouth encourages students to delve deep into their areas of interest and engage in intellectual pursuits that spark curiosity and drive. Whether you are fascinated by the intricacies of astrophysics, the complexities of human behavior, or the mysteries of ancient civilizations, Dartmouth offers a vibrant academic environment that will ignite your passion and fuel your enthusiasm.
Reflect on how you have immersed yourself in rigorous research projects, collaborated with renowned faculty members, and participated in stimulating discussions with like-minded peers. Think about the opportunities you had to not only expand your knowledge but also make meaningful contributions to your chosen field of study. Highlight specific research experiences you have had, mention any relevant publications or presentations, and discuss how you plan to continue your research at Dartmouth.
Ultimately, be sure that your passion and enthusiasm come through in your application to show the admissions officers at Dartmouth why you are the perfect fit for their academic environment.
F. “It’s not easy being green…” was the frequent refrain of Kermit the Frog. How has difference been a part of your life, and how have you embraced it as part of your identity, outlook, or sense of purpose?
Heather notes, “Focus on the second part of this prompt! Don’t simply tell us something that has been hard; share how that has become important and powerful for you!” Reflect on the unique perspectives, strengths, and insights that have emerged from your experiences. What makes you different and how have you embraced it? Perhaps growing up in a multicultural family exposed you to diverse traditions and values, fostering a deep appreciation for different cultures. Alternatively, facing physical challenges may have taught you resilience and determination, enabling you to overcome obstacles and achieve personal growth.
Emphasize how these differences have shaped your character and influenced your interactions with the world. You could even talk about the specific contributions you can bring to the university, such as fostering inclusivity, promoting diversity, or advocating for the needs of underrepresented communities. Remember, the goal is for the admissions officers to truly understand the aspects that make you different and the ways in which you have positively embraced these differences as part of your identity or outlook.
Dartmouth Deadlines and Testing
Early Decision closes November 1 and Regular Decision closes January 1, both at 11:59 p.m. in your local time. [2] Dartmouth reactivated its standardized testing requirement with applicants to the Class of 2029, so SAT or ACT scores are required, and Dartmouth superscores across test dates. International applicants may substitute three AP exams, IB Diploma results, or A-Levels. [4]
Additional Tips for Writing the Dartmouth Supplemental Essays
If you would rather work with a Former Admissions Officer on these, that is what our counselling teams do.
Now that you’ve taken a look at the prompts for the Dartmouth supplemental essays, here are a few tips to help your brainstorming process:
- You have a choice, so use it well! Since you have the option to choose which prompt to answer, the topic selection could make a significant difference to your admissions decision. Consider drafting your responses to each prompt and make a final decision. Don’t be afraid to be flexible with your ideas, but ultimately choose the prompt that you believe will bring the strongest essay out of you.
- Cut unnecessary words: It’s obvious that the Dartmouth supplemental essays provide you with very little room to write your answers. It can be tricky to get your point across in so little space, but you can’t change the limit. So don’t waste your time sulking or complaining about the fact that you’re 200 words over on your essay, but instead start cutting words. Use a thesaurus, ask a teacher or friend for feedback, and read sentences out loud to see if they still make sense after you shorten them.
- Don’t repeat your personal statement: Since a lot of the options in the Dartmouth College supplemental essays ask you to reflect on your goals, achievements, or background, it could be easy to repeat what you’ve written about in your personal statement. After all, your personal statement is a story unique to you, and the topic of it might overlap with one of the Dartmouth prompts. But, remember that the admissions officers will already have read your personal statement. Supplemental essays are meant to add another layer, providing schools with more context on who you are. Don’t repeat your personal statement and give admissions officers the idea that you have no other interesting stories to tell.
The Dartmouth College supplemental essays provide an incredible opportunity for you to showcase who you are to the admissions officer. These essays are invaluable in solidifying your interest in Dartmouth and showing how you embody the values that the college seeks in its students. By showcasing your knowledge of the school and sharing stories that exemplify Dartmouth’s ideal characteristics, you have the potential to receive an acceptance letter from this prestigious Ivy League institution.
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