I am a parent of a junior at Dartmouth. I feel that the reviews are a bit dated, so I would like to add my assessment of Dartmouth, having seen it change quite a bit in the last few years. When we first looked at the school five years ago, I was not impressed. I thought that the admissions office was strange--they didn't seem at ALL interested in us, barely answered our questions and had terrible information on financial aid--which also seemed to be pretty awful with very little interest in "competing" for good but financially needy students. And the campus, worst of all, seemed unkempt and shabby---especially the famous "green" at its core! My son felt the same as me--forget it.
But as things turned out, my son took a gap year, we looked again at Dartmouth as well as many other schools. He applied to a lot and got into all except being waitlisted at Harvard. We went back and looked again at Dartmouth and well, it looked like someone had finally been caring for the green and the buildings! What a difference there-- as well as in the admissions office--they actually sent my son a letter early saying "We want you" and that made a definite impression.
He chose Dartmouth and has been so very happy there. He is actually glad he got waitlisted at Harvard because now he could not see himself anywhere but Dartmouth. He loves it. I will add that he is (deliberately) not part of the Greek system and has found a really great group of friends that are not the stereotypical "frat party" types that unfortunately Dartmouth has become known for in the past. They are not nerds, either--just normal, hard-working kids who laugh and have fun and find plenty to do besides drink at Dartmouth. I have been impressed with the ability to find your own way and still be "cool" and part of the whole community there--that is much improved over just a few years ago when it was Greek or geek.
The town of Hanover is charming and my son has found favorite restaurants that he goes to regularly (Lou's for breakfast; Molly's for dinner--fabulous). West Lebanon is 5 miles away and has everything--buses run regularly and they are getting Zip cars, too. If you have a car (after freshman year, you can) there is free parking which is great.
The dorms have been fantastic. The first year he was in a brand new dorm that was amazing! But even the older dorms are good and a convenient and easy walk to classes and dining.
I would have to say that the biggest disappointment (and frustration) has been financial aid. We have found them difficult to work with ---even judgmental, sadly---they seem to have an attitude of "holier that thou." My sincere hope is that they clean up their act, for they are doing an injustice to Dartmouth.
Otherwise, I would recommend Dartmouth very highly for anyone who likes a smaller, closeknit community while having the intellectual challenges of an Ivy. (And Dartmouth grads report the highest satisfaction with their education AND the highest earning of Ivy grads 10 years out.) In my opinion, it is a good place for all types--quiet to social, public to prep-- and is getting better all the time. Especially now as they transition to a new president (from Harvard), things are looking up!

Exemplifies all the reasons why the Ivy League is overrated. Upper-middle-class children with the misfortune of having parents who like to trumpet the number of "Ivies" in the household will be packed off to a second-rate institution like this just so their parents can insert the phrase "Ivy League" into every other sentence on every social occasion, only to see these children return to the nest for one of their eight semesters because this tiny, ineptly planned institution doesn't even have enough dorm rooms for all its students and must therefore cycle every undergraduate through to make room for all the "social nimrods," as Matt nicely put it below, who attend. Dartmouth grads may come out able to write a sentence (not always) but emerge with all of the world experience that Hanover, New Hampshire (pop. 10,800) that give them: which is to say, none. I spent a week up in that small town once, and I have to say that almost every faculty member is dying to get out of town. I don't blame them. God knows why anyone would teach there.

Phenomenal faculty, was consistently rated #1 in undergraduate teaching back when US News still did this ranking. Beautiful campus and just about everyone is truly happy to be there--incredible school spirit but not in your face. Being out in the woods with lots of other interesting people creates a strong sense of community.

How can an Ivy League school be forced to do away with men's and women's swimming due to lack of funds? I hope the financial situation has changed since this happened a few years ago. Solid academically--has the reputation for attracting students who are competitive in every way

Somethings a little different about Dartmouth compared to it's Ivy League partners. A bit more relaxed and probably has the right balance between intense ivy academics and laid back realism of things. Certainly one of the more interesting Ivy schools out there.

This is the best school to go to as an undergraduate in the Ivy League due to its intimate dynamic. Princeton second.

The undergraduate edu has no par

I visited almost every school in the Ivy League and no where did I see as much school spirit as at Dartmouth. The student body is energetic and hard-working, yet friendly and laid back - a rare balance to find in the Ivies. And of course, its superb academics and reputation are a given.

Once had a huge Greek scene; now that is gone. Very stifling, judgmental environment. There is absolutely NOTHING to do here in Hanover!

I was in the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program. I don't believe that it's possible for a graduate program to be less rigorous. I felt absolutely cheated. Also, if you're an undergraduate and love the outdoors, it's probably a great place to be, but if you're a graduate student, not outdoorsy, and can't afford to live in Hanover itself, it's pretty much a wasteland. I regret my experience bitterly.

I graduated in 1982 and the diversity and dedication to the undergraduate experience is without peer in the United States.

A superb environment, a great education, and rabidly loyal alumni.

Academically, Dartmouth is without question one of the premier instiutions in America. However, I've met two Dartmouth grads and although they're bright people, they are the biggest social nimrods I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. I cringe at having to speak with either of these people because it's like talking to an android. I'm sure not all Dartmouth alums are like this but based on the two I know, the only 5-star rating I'd give would be for the category of DORKIEST ALUMNI!