Hey folks, I'm considering Dartmouth as a reach school. I want to make sure I'm on the right track with my SAT prep. Does anyone have an idea of what the average SAT score for admitted students looks like?
Dartmouth College typically has a highly competitive applicant pool with strong SAT scores. While Dartmouth has been test-optional for a few years, and thus hasn't been publishing average SAT scores for recent accepted classes, prior to their implementation of a test-optional policy due to Covid-19 their middle 50% of accepted students had a composite SAT score between 1440 and 1560. This range means about 25% of accepted students scored below a 1440, while another 25% scored above a 1560, and the remaining 50% fell within this range.
Keep in mind, though, that starting in the 2024-2025 application cycle, Dartmouth will once again be requiring all applicants to submit an SAT or ACT score. So, having a high SAT score will be a necessary part of your application moving forward.
At the same time, a strong SAT score is just a starting point, and won't guarantee admission. Dartmouth is an Ivy League institution with a highly competitive, holistic admissions process, which means all aspects of your application will be factored in, not just test scores.
If you're looking for tips on how to strengthen your overall application to Dartmouth, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle their school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-dartmouth-college-essays/. After all, most applicants to Dartmouth have excellent academic credentials, and the essays are a great opportunity to set yourself apart by showcasing what you have to offer beyond the numbers.
Good luck with your SAT prep and your college admissions journey!
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