By Gabriel Onate (The Dartmouth).
Last week, the College reported a total of 22,005 applications for the Class of 2022, marking a 9.8 percent increase in applications compared to last year. Applications for the Class of 2021 totaled 20,034.
Co-founder of college admissions consulting firm Top Tier Admissions Mimi Doe said she had several theories that could explain the increase in applicants. Working with students around the world, she noticed that Dartmouth was ramping up its efforts to recruit more first-generation, low-income students, especially through pipeline organizations like QuestBridge, she said. Doe added that an “overwhelming recognition” of the higher chances of getting accepted by applying early decision may have also influenced students to apply to the College in greater numbers.
“The new normal is, ‘I’m applying to college. I need to be ready by November 1st,’” Doe said, explaining why many colleges like Dartmouth are now filling up about half of their incoming classes with early decision applicants.
Doe said the increase in applications would make the College “more competitive” and added that she predicts Dartmouth’s admission rate will decrease.
“I anticipate a single-digit acceptance rate overall,” she said.
Last year’s acceptance rate was 10.4 percent.
Bev Taylor, founder and chief executive officer of college admissions consulting firm Ivy Coach, said this year’s numbers represent the biggest spike in total applications received since 2015. She said she noticed that more international students are applying to college with Dartmouth in mind.
“It seems to me that the trend at Dartmouth under [vice provost for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid] Lee Coffin is more early decision and regular decision applications, lower admission rates and a higher overall enrollment,” Taylor said. Go to the article
