Dartmouth has extended its first offers of acceptance to members of the Class of 2030. The Undergraduate Office of Admissions sent notifications on Dec. 15 to early decision applicants, who join a cohort of members of the incoming first-year class who learned earlier in December that they had been admitted to Dartmouth through the College Match Program of QuestBridge, a national access organization that partners with many selective colleges and universities.

Kathryn Bezella, assistant vice president and dean of undergraduate admissions, said that in addition to identifying Dartmouth as their first choice, the prospective students’ applications often mentioned aspects of the Dartmouth experience that the institution considers to be foundational pillars—including its rural sense of place and its emphasis on dialogue.

Indeed, Bezella said that “ideas related to discourse” were mentioned by nearly one in five accepted applicants for the Class of 2030 in the portion of the application where they are asked, in effect, “Why Dartmouth?”

In taking the measure of “these amazing students who are so highly qualified,” Bezella said that she and her admissions colleagues found “a strong match between who we are and what we do well, and who they are and what they do well.”

“Many cited the specific academic work of our faculty and said they were eager to experience the close relationships in the classroom that are a hallmark of our campus,” she said. “And the special qualities of our natural surroundings were mentioned and celebrated both by those who are already experienced hikers, campers, and even lumberjacks—yes, we have at least one lumberjack’s apprentice in the Class of 2030—and by those who said they’ve hardly set foot in the woods, but who mentioned being drawn in by the spell of this special place.” 

Bezella noted the “compelling, wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds” in the incoming class thus far, which she said was “critical to Dartmouth’s flourishing.” 

An estimated 20% of the class admitted early decision or through QuestBridge are from low-income backgrounds, according to preliminary figures. The average scholarship award—roughly $73,000—covers 78% of the current cost of undergraduate attendance. More than $22 million in need-based scholarships have been awarded to members of the class thus far.

Ninety-eight percent of those admitted to the class thus far are ranked within the top 10% of their high school graduating class, and one in three are projected to be their class valedictorian. Ninety-three percent submitted SAT or ACT scores that place them in the top 25% of test-takers at their high schools.

At this early stage of the admissions process for the Class of 2030, Bezella said that Dartmouth was declining to release information on how many students had applied or been accepted. In doing so, Dartmouth is joining several of its peer institutions, which are seeking to lower at least some of the stress of applying to Ivy and other highly selective institutions. 

That goal also aligns with one of the cornerstones of President Sian Leah Beilock’s administration: an emphasis on student wellness and well-being.

“Dartmouth is in the unique and fortunate position of having an abundance of highly talented applicants, and the application volume remains incredibly healthy, especially relative to the size of the class we hope to enroll in the fall, which is 1,175,” Bezella said. “But each time we release specifics about the application numbers while the application cycle is still underway, there might be a talented student who opts out of the regular decision process because they prematurely decide that the odds are against them.”

“We want to encourage and support top students as they consider Dartmouth, not intimidate them,” she added.

Applicants for the Class of 2030 have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 1, 2026, to submit applications through the regular decision process. Decisions are expected to be released in late March.