<p>I don't know but I think that Dartmouth expects you to bend the rules when it comes to the peer rec. they know that it is probably your best friend writing your recommendation and that he will allow you to see it. Maybe they just want to see what you write about yourself. What does everyone really think the peer rec is for?</p>
<p>I think Dartmouth really makes an attempt to gain a "holistic" view of their applicants. It's easy for students to get really good grades and test scores and be boring grade grubbers. It's slightly less easy to have teachers write recommendations that reflect your true learning incentive. It's difficult to choose an intelligent articulate friend who thinks you're such a great person that your personality shines through THEIR writing. In a nutshell, Dartmouth wants good people in their class, not just good students.</p>
<p>"the hardest thing is to write a recommendation for someone you know"</p>
<p>I've forgotten who said this, but it was in my book of oxymora, and i remembered it when giving a friend my form.</p>