We’re guessing you’re here because you got deferred from Dartmouth. We’re sorry that happened, and we encourage you to take some time to yourself to feel your feelings about it. But, if you’re reading this, you probably want to do something about it. Our guide will help you make a strategy for the rest of regular decision, while also sending your last pitch to Dartmouth. 

Unlike the other Ivy League schools we’ve covered, Dartmouth is the only one to give us any stats on the deferment to acceptance pipeline. According to , 21% of Early Decision applicants were accepted last year. They don’t say how many of their total applicants for ED were deferred, but does tell us that 5-10% of deferred students get accepted during regular decision. With an last year, those odds put you at an ever-so-slight advantage. 

Instead of just dreading hearing from Dartmouth a second time, let’s dive into a strategy that will help you prioritize regular decision and give you a second chance with Dartmouth. 

College List

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but you’re most likely going to have to apply to more schools. Like, at least 10 schools total. Sorry, we know. 

You’ll want to start by creating a college list, a balanced one with 3 safety schools, 4 target schools, and 3 reach schools. More on how to determine your categories here. You want to think about qualities in a school that interest you, so to start you could think of the reasons why Dartmouth was your first pick. Did you like the campus? The culture? The academic offerings? The size? The school colors? Work backward from characteristics you liked to help fill out what makes your list.

Supplements

Next, you need to take a look at all the supplements ahead of you before getting started on them. By comparing them, you’ll notice some recurring themes -- which means less overall work for you in the long run. Our blog has guides on how to write each college’s supplement, but if you’re having a hard time coming up with ideas, we have some tips on how to brainstorm and get started here. 

The biggest thing for these supplements will be just getting the words out. It’s okay for your first few drafts to be bad, because you’re going to spend a lot of time editing these for clarity, grammar, and length. Make sure to have a few other people, like teachers or friends or family, take a look at them too.

At this point, you also want to notify your school counselors of your plans to apply to additional colleges, make sure your test scores are sent, and check with the teachers who wrote your recommendation letters the first time to see if they can do these as well. Now you’re ready to submit!

Deferral Letter

Okay, so here’s where you’re going to pitch yourself once more to Dartmouth. You want to compose a letter that serves two purposes, 1) update them on all the wonderful things you’ve been doing since applying, and 2) make sure they know that if you are accepted, you will attend. 

Start with the update. Did you increase your GPA? Did you get an internship? Did you make captain of a team? Finish a huge project or extracurricular achievement? This is where you want to tell them. Don’t just list off every single thing you’ve done, try to pick one or two really interesting ones and expand on them. Try not to brag, but don’t play it so close to the chest that it comes off as underselling. Be confident! 

Next is expressing how excited you are about the prospect of going to Dartmouth. You can’t wait to join XYZ club or study that cool thing with that one professor. Dartmouth cares about their yield rate (the number of students who enroll after being accepted), so they want to hear how dedicated you are to their school.

Wrap it up in about 300-350 words. Anything too long won’t capture their attention. Have a few other people look over it for grammar and tone (be polite!) and then you’re ready to send it off to the Dartmouth Admissions Office. Now you just have to wait, but no matter how it shakes out, you’ve got this. 

If you’re struggling with the regular decision applications, or need help with your deferral letter, please reach out to us here to get connected with one of our counselors.