Frequently Asked Questions about Early Decision
Answers
Does Dartmouth have a cap on Early Decision Admits?
No. That said, the Admissions Office typically admits about 35% of the entering class through the Early process. We want to make sure that there are ample opportunities for both our Early Decision applicants and our Regular Decision applicants and we have found over the years that the ~35% range allows us to respond favorably to a strong cohort of our ED applicants without infringing on the opportunities of our Regular applicants.
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May I re-apply under Regular Decision if I was denied at Early Decision?
No. Students can only apply once per admissions cycle.
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What percentage of students deferred in Early Decision are eventually admitted in Regular Decision?
In the past few years, we have admitted between 5 to 10 percent of candidates deferred in Early Decision in our Regular Decision process.
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If I apply under Dartmouth's Early Decision program, can I apply to other schools under non-binding Early Action?
Depends on the fine print of the Early program at other schools.
If the OTHER school allows you to apply to a binding Early Decision program (Dartmouth uses binding Early Decision) in addition to applying Early at their institution, then yes. The most common example where this is NOT allowed is Single-Choice Early Action, where you can only apply to one school early (though you are not required to enroll at the school if admitted). Remember, under Dartmouth's binding Early Decision program, if you are admitted early you are required to attend (though if you are deferred in early and admitted during the regular process you are no longer bound by the early decision agreement). Read the fine print of each Early program agreement carefully.
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Why is the higher rate of admission during Early Decision somewhat misleading?
Most highly recruited Division 1 athletes who apply to Dartmouth do so under the Early Decision plan, and these recruited student athletes typically do not file an application to Dartmouth unless their credentials have been reviewed in advance by members of the Admission Committee.
With highly recruited Division 1 athletes removed from the Early Decision applicant pool, the rate of admission during Early Decision falls back to a level that is more comparable, although slightly higher, than the overall rate of admission.
So, there is a small statistical advantage to applying to Dartmouth under the Early Decision plan, but the advantage is not so great that it should be the "driving force" behind an applicant's decision to apply early.
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I am very interested in Dartmouth, but I am not 100% sure right now. I was wondering what "advantage" there is if I apply Early Decision?
For an applicant, the "advantage" to applying under Dartmouth's binding Early Decision plan is that you will learn of the outcome of your application in December rather than April. If admitted, you will not have to file other applications. If denied admission or deferred to the Regular Decision round, you'll have an "early read" on your application to Dartmouth that can help as you apply to other Colleges.
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Can I email the ED agreement to you?
There is no preferred method of submission, so whatever works for you will work for us.
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Does my entire Early Decision application have to be submitted by November 1?
Your school's portion of the application and your letters of recommendation do not need to be submitted by November 1. If these items are submitted after the deadline, we will simply add them to your application file as we receive them. We will then start to review your application.
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