What Makes Dartmouth Stand Out?

Dartmouth College stands out among Ivy League schools through its unique D-Plan academic calendar system, which allows students to customize their academic schedule with year-round learning opportunities. This flexible quarter system lets you take advantage of different seasons in New Hampshire while pursuing internships and study abroad experiences during non-traditional times of the year.

The intimate learning environment at Dartmouth sets it apart from other Ivy League institutions. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1 and an undergraduate focus that's rare among its peers, you'll find professors teaching introductory courses rather than teaching assistants. This creates opportunities for meaningful mentorship and research collaboration starting in your first year.

Dartmouth's location in Hanover, New Hampshire, creates a distinctive college experience centered around outdoor adventure and close community bonds. The Dartmouth Outing Club, the oldest and largest collegiate outdoor recreation organization in the country, introduces students to hiking, skiing, and camping in the surrounding White Mountains. This outdoor culture shapes campus life throughout the year, from winter carnival traditions to summer swimming in the Connecticut River.

The strong sense of community distinguishes Dartmouth from other elite institutions. The relatively isolated location and small undergraduate population of around 4,400 students foster deep connections among classmates. Unlike other Ivy League schools in urban settings, Dartmouth's campus culture encourages frequent interaction between students and faculty through traditions like weekly faculty-student dinners and the unique first-year housing system.

When you visit campus, you'll notice Dartmouth's emphasis on undergraduate education through its state-of-the-art facilities dedicated primarily to undergraduate use, including the Baker-Berry Library and Thayer School of Engineering. The college's commitment to hands-on learning experiences and close student-faculty collaboration creates an academic environment that combines the resources of a research university with the attention typically found at a small liberal arts college.