<p>I know all the colleges look at standardized tests, GPA, ECs and all, but there must be something "special" or "unique" about Dartmouth's admission process that is different from other colleges. (ie. do they look for more humanities applicant or math/science applicant? more jocks? focus more on diverse applicant? and so on.)</p>
<p>The only thing I can pretty much safely assume about D’s admissions is that the adcoms look for well-roundedness since D pretty much is a liberal arts school for all intensive purposes. D also has a build a class, so the admissions office also tries to get a good balance of people (not too many jocks, not too many pre-med kids- just a lot of diversity.) </p>
<p>The best thing is just to be yourself on your application.</p>
<p>If your ECs distinguish you on at least a State and preferably a national level, that would be a definite plus. Every high school has people who distinguish themselves within the context of their own community, the Ivies want to see something above that.</p>