Dartmouth College, renowned for its academic excellence and vibrant community, sets high standards for its applicants. In this article, we will delve into Dartmouth’s ACT scores and requirements to help you understand what it takes to stand out in the admissions process.
Dartmouth’s average composite ACT score is a 34 out of 36. The 25th percentile for ACT scores at Dartmouth is 33, and the 75th percentile is 35. This means that 25% of Dartmouth students scored below 33, and 25% scored above 35. While these scores reflect the high standards of the institution, there is no score benchmark required for admission.
The average ACT English score at Dartmouth is between 35 and 36, with the 25th and 75th percentiles falling at each of those scores—the average admitted applicant to Dartmouth has a 35 in ACT English. Evidently, Dartmouth students perform exceptionally well on the English section of the ACT, with the majority achieving perfect or nearly perfect scores.
The average ACT Math score for Dartmouth’s enrolled Class of 2025 fell between the 25th and 75th percentiles of 32 and 35. A score of 34 would place you in the middle 50% of scorers at Dartmouth. While these scores are slightly lower than the English section scores, they are still quite high.
For the Class of 2029 and beyond, Dartmouth has reinstated its standardized testing requirement. Applicants must submit either SAT scores or ACT scores in order for their application to be considered. Moreover, Dartmouth allows applicants to self-report their scores on their application, but official score records are required for admitted students who plan to enroll.
Note that Dartmouth does not require the ACT Writing section.
Among Dartmouth applicants, 24% submit ACT scores, while 42% submit SAT scores. In the past, 34% of applicants on average chose to omit standardized test scores from their application, a number which will be 0% for the Class of 2029 onward. While submitting a high ACT score can boost your application, Dartmouth considers a variety of factors in its holistic review process.
Dartmouth does superscore the ACT, so admissions officers will consider the highest section scores regardless of test dates or platform.
Dartmouth does not have set ACT score requirements or cutoffs. However, most admitted students have highly competitive scores. Aiming for a score at or above the average of 34 can strengthen your application. The highest 25% of ACT scorers at Dartmouth achieved a perfect 36 composite score, so a “good” score for Dartmouth would be quite high. That said, Dartmouth’s admissions officers emphasize that scores that are high for individual students’ high school contexts are valued as high scores, even if they are below the average Dartmouth student’s score.
| Section | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 33 | 34 | 35 |
| English | 35 | 35 | 36 |
| Math | 32 | 34 | 35 |
While getting into Dartmouth with a low SAT score is challenging, it is not impossible. Dartmouth considers various factors, including academic performance, high school context, extracurricular activities, and supplemental essays in their holistic review process.
For students applying via Early Decision (application deadline: November 1), the last test date for the ACT is in October. For Regular Decision (application deadline: January 2), the last test date for the ACT is in December. Regardless, it’s often considered optimal to take the SAT spring of your junior year of high school.
Dartmouth College’s ACT code is 2508.
In conclusion, Dartmouth College values academic excellence and looks for well-rounded students who demonstrate leadership and initiative. While ACT scores are an important factor in the admissions process, they are just one of many factors considered. By understanding Dartmouth’s ACT scores and requirements, you can better prepare your application and increase your chances of admission to this prestigious institution. If you are instead considering taking the SAT, check out our article about Dartmouth SAT scores!
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