Receiving an Early Decision rejection from Dartmouth is more than annoying. It can be disheartening, frustrating, and can even be confidence-crushing. But it doesn’t need to be.

Oof. We know this one stings. You spent weeks (maybe months) pouring your energy into your Dartmouth ED application. You hit submit, envisioned yourself bundled up on the Green, and now, you feel stuck or lost. Not rejected, but not accepted either, just hanging in that awkward “maybe” space. It’s frustrating, it’s disorienting, and yeah, it’s a little heartbreaking. So first, take a deep breath. A deferral isn’t the end – it’s a second chance and an opportunity to regroup.

Dartmouth is a prestigious liberal arts university that is also the most outdoorsy member of the Ivy League. Located in Hanover, New Hampshire, Dartmouth offers a tight-knit community of about 4,500 undergraduates and more than 40 academic departments and programs. Dartmouth has a strong emphasis on research, with 60% of undergraduates participating in research, and on leadership. 80% of students complete at least one internship. The acceptance rate was 6% for the Class of 2029.