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Dartmouth has officially released its 2025-2026 Essay Questions in the Common App Portal.
Question 1: Required of all applicants, please respond in 100 words or fewer:
As you seek admission to Dartmouth’s Class of 2030, what aspects of the college’s academic program, community, and/or campus environment attract your interest? How is Dartmouth a good fit for you?
Question 2: Required of all applicants, please respond to one of the following prompts in 250 words or fewer:
1) 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.
2) “Be yourself,” Oscar Wilde advised. “Everyone else is taken.” Introduce yourself.
Question 3: Required of all applicants, please respond to one of the following prompts in 250 words or fewer:
1) What excites you?
2) 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?
3) 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?
4) 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?
5) Celebrate your nerdy side.
6) 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?
7) The Mindy Kaling Theater Lab will be an exciting new addition to Dartmouth’s Hopkins Center for the Arts. “It’s a place where you can fail,” the actor/producer and Dartmouth alumna said when her gift was announced. “You can try things out, fail, and then revamp and rework things… A thing can be bad on its journey to becoming good.” Share a story of failure, trial runs, revamping, reworking, or journeying from bad to good.
Give Dartmouth-Focused Answers.
Looking at this year’s prompts, Dartmouth—more than many other top colleges—is asking questions that are very specific to its identity. These aren’t generic supplements; they’re trying to gauge how well you understand Dartmouth and how you’d fit in there as a student. Use this opportunity to show them that you’ve done your research and genuinely see yourself thriving in Hanover.
Build a Cohesive Story.
A strong narrative turns your application from a list of accomplishments into a memorable story about what drives you. It helps admissions officers understand not just what you’ve done, but why it matters — and where it’s all heading. Not sure what a narrative looks like? Check out this blog post!
Be specific.
Don't just say you're passionate about something—show it. Use concrete examples and real stories. If you're writing about a creative interest, describe a project you completed or a skill you’re eager to build on at Dartmouth. Help the reader understand the person behind your achievements.
Make each answer distinct.
Each question is a new opportunity to reveal a different side of yourself. Keep in mind that your Common App personal statement will be read alongside your Dartmouth supplement, so avoid repeating the same themes or stories.
Answer the question. Seriously.
This sounds obvious, but it’s one of the most common mistakes. Read each prompt carefully and make sure your response directly addresses what’s being asked. If a question is about a risk you’ve taken, focus on the risk itself and what you learned from it—not just a general story about a hard experience.
Leave the reader with a strong impression.
It’s okay to write about failure or struggle, but the takeaway should always cast you in a positive light. If your response leaves the reader questioning your judgment, character, or self-awareness, it could hurt your chances. Even when discussing setbacks, make sure the tone is reflective, thoughtful, and growth-oriented.
Looking for additional guidance or application review support? Feel free to reach out. We’re here to support you through every step of the process!
Dartmouth has officially released its 2025-2026 Essay Questions in the Common App Portal.
Question 1: Required of all applicants, please respond in 100 words or fewer:
As you seek admission to Dartmouth’s Class of 2030, what aspects of the college’s academic program, community, and/or campus environment attract your interest? How is Dartmouth a good fit for you?
Question 2: Required of all applicants, please respond to one of the following prompts in 250 words or fewer:
1) 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.
2) “Be yourself,” Oscar Wilde advised. “Everyone else is taken.” Introduce yourself.
Question 3: Required of all applicants, please respond to one of the following prompts in 250 words or fewer:
1) What excites you?
2) 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?
3) 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?
4) 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?
5) Celebrate your nerdy side.
6) 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?
7) The Mindy Kaling Theater Lab will be an exciting new addition to Dartmouth’s Hopkins Center for the Arts. “It’s a place where you can fail,” the actor/producer and Dartmouth alumna said when her gift was announced. “You can try things out, fail, and then revamp and rework things… A thing can be bad on its journey to becoming good.” Share a story of failure, trial runs, revamping, reworking, or journeying from bad to good.
Give Dartmouth-Focused Answers.
Looking at this year’s prompts, Dartmouth—more than many other top colleges—is asking questions that are very specific to its identity. These aren’t generic supplements; they’re trying to gauge how well you understand Dartmouth and how you’d fit in there as a student. Use this opportunity to show them that you’ve done your research and genuinely see yourself thriving in Hanover.
Build a Cohesive Story.
A strong narrative turns your application from a list of accomplishments into a memorable story about what drives you. It helps admissions officers understand not just what you’ve done, but why it matters — and where it’s all heading. Not sure what a narrative looks like? Check out this blog post!
Be specific.
Don't just say you're passionate about something—show it. Use concrete examples and real stories. If you're writing about a creative interest, describe a project you completed or a skill you’re eager to build on at Dartmouth. Help the reader understand the person behind your achievements.
Make each answer distinct.
Each question is a new opportunity to reveal a different side of yourself. Keep in mind that your Common App personal statement will be read alongside your Dartmouth supplement, so avoid repeating the same themes or stories.
Answer the question. Seriously.
This sounds obvious, but it’s one of the most common mistakes. Read each prompt carefully and make sure your response directly addresses what’s being asked. If a question is about a risk you’ve taken, focus on the risk itself and what you learned from it—not just a general story about a hard experience.
Leave the reader with a strong impression.
It’s okay to write about failure or struggle, but the takeaway should always cast you in a positive light. If your response leaves the reader questioning your judgment, character, or self-awareness, it could hurt your chances. Even when discussing setbacks, make sure the tone is reflective, thoughtful, and growth-oriented.
Looking for additional guidance or application review support? Feel free to reach out. We’re here to support you through every step of the process!
Former Admissions Officer, Harvard University
Former Assistant Dean, Stanford University
As a College Counselor I help students navigate the college admissions process. My goal is to help students stand out and get accepted to their top-choice schools.
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