Dartmouth College

Yes. Dartmouth meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for every admitted undergraduate, including international students, with a strict no-loan policy — every package is grant aid, with nothing to repay. For families earning under roughly $125,000 a year with typical assets, the expected parent contribution is $0: a full ride covering tuition, housing, dining, books, and an international travel allowance. All aid is need-based; Dartmouth offers no merit scholarships.

Yes — completely, for both freshman and transfer applicants. Dartmouth's admissions committee never sees or weighs your financial aid request, so applying for a full ride does not hurt your chances of being admitted. Once you're admitted, Dartmouth meets 100% of your demonstrated need with no loans.

Yes — and this is unusual. Dartmouth strictly requires the SAT or ACT and is NOT test-optional, unlike most schools in this directory. There is one international exception: if you attend a secondary school outside the U.S., you may instead submit 3 AP exams or predicted/final national exam results (IB, British A-Levels, CBSE, or WASSCE).

Yes, unless you qualify for an exception. English proficiency is required if English is not your first language AND your secondary curriculum has not been taught in English for at least two years. Accepted exams are the TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, Duolingo English Test, or Cambridge English.

There's a completely free alternative. The CSS Profile (school code 3351) is usable for need-based aid, but if the CSS fee is a severe barrier, you can download, complete, and email the free ISFAA (International Student Financial Aid Application) to financial.aid@dartmouth.edu to apply for aid at no cost.

Roughly 5.3–6.2% for freshman admissions. Transfer admission is dramatically tougher — about 0.5–1.5%, with roughly 1,000 applications competing for about 5–15 transfer spots total.

Yes. Dartmouth is need-blind for international transfer applicants too, and meets 100% of demonstrated need with zero loans. The catch is how few transfers are admitted: roughly 1,000 applications for about 5–15 spots total (~0.5–1.5% acceptance). Transfer applicants submit the Common App for Transfer plus Dartmouth's transfer supplement, all post-secondary transcripts, final high school transcripts, a College Report from a dean or registrar, two academic recommendations from college instructors, required SAT/ACT (or international equivalents), English scores if applicable, and the free ISFAA (or CSS Profile) with parental income documentation. The $90 fee has hardship waivers.

The Common Application or Coalition Application with Dartmouth's writing supplement, official high school transcripts with certified English translations, a School Report and counselor recommendation, two academic teacher recommendations, a Peer Recommendation (strongly recommended, written by a classmate or friend), required SAT or ACT scores (or the international-exam exception: 3 AP exams or IB/A-Levels/CBSE/WASSCE results), English proficiency scores if applicable, and — for aid — the free ISFAA or the CSS Profile (school code 3351) with translated parent tax returns. The $90 application fee can be waived for financial hardship.