Hi
I got waitlisted at Dartmouth in RD cycle last year (2025) and the decision later stated that my application was among the best ones but couldn’t be accepted due to less seats available and also the fact that they recorded the highest number of applications ever.
I did not submit SAT scores cause I couldn’t take one. Also, I am an international student.
If I apply ED to Dartmouth this year (2026), do I have a chance of being accepted?
Your application would need to be substantially stronger to expect a different result
You need to be able to demonstrate a meaningful difference between last year and this year. What did you do in the past 12 months? Also, we’re you looking for a lot of financial aid last year? If so, will that be different now?
Does college level non-credit courses count?
My financial situation will remain the same.
i.e near to full financial aid
I don’t think you have much of a chance at being admitted this year. There are many students from India applying to American schools and the competition is just too tough. You are certainly able to apply again but I don’t see the outcome being any different. Sorry.
1 Like
Not really. Stronger essays, strong SAT score, productive gap year might help more.
1 Like
Every rejection letter has the same phrase that goes something along the lines of:
“Your application was very strong but unfortunately we did not have enough spots… we had _____ students apply this year and had too many qualified students for spots available”
It’s their way of rejecting you but making you still feel like you had a chance (“very strong” application, etc… ). Backpacking off @skieurope, you would need stronger merit + traits to get accepted (or maybe, Dartmouth isn’t the best fit for you and you won’t get in regardless of your improved scores/essays)