Brown vs Dartmouth: Which Is Harder to Get Into?

Brown vs Dartmouth: The Free Spirit vs The Traditionalist

Brown and Dartmouth are the two smallest Ivies, and they both prioritize undergraduate teaching over research prestige. But the similarities end there. These schools attract very different people, and understanding why will help you make a smarter choice.

By the Numbers

Brown's acceptance rate is around 5%, with roughly 50,000 applicants competing for about 1,700 spots. Dartmouth is slightly less selective at about 6.2%, receiving around 28,000 applications for a class of about 1,150.

Test scores are comparable: SAT middle 50% is 1480-1560 at Brown and 1490-1560 at Dartmouth. Neither school is significantly harder to get into by the numbers alone, but the applicant pools are different enough that raw rates don't tell the full story.

What Each School Values in Admissions

Brown wants independent thinkers. Their open curriculum — no required courses whatsoever — is the school's defining feature, and they want students who will thrive with that freedom. Your application should demonstrate intellectual curiosity, self-direction, and a genuine reason why Brown's approach appeals to you. Cookie-cutter achievers who just check boxes struggle here.

Dartmouth values well-roundedness and community engagement. They want students who will participate fully in campus life — join clubs, play intramural sports, go on outdoor trips, and contribute to the tight-knit community. Dartmouth's "Why Dartmouth" supplemental is critical. They can smell generic essays from a mile away.

Both schools care deeply about fit. A student who's perfect for Brown might not be right for Dartmouth, and vice versa.

Culture and Student Life

Brown is in Providence, Rhode Island. The culture is progressive, creative, and unapologetically quirky. The open curriculum attracts students who want to explore — double-concentrating in computer science and literary arts isn't unusual. There's minimal pre-professional pressure compared to other Ivies. Students tend to be collaborative, artsy, and politically liberal. Greek life exists but doesn't dominate.

Dartmouth is in Hanover, New Hampshire — a small town in the Upper Valley surrounded by wilderness. The campus is gorgeous and isolated, which creates an incredibly tight-knit community. Greek life is massive — roughly 60% of eligible students join. The D-Plan (Dartmouth's quarter system with off-campus terms) means the social dynamics shift constantly. Dartmouth students tend to be outdoorsy, social, and more traditionally spirited than Brown students.

The location difference matters more than you think. Brown gives you a mid-sized city with restaurants, culture, and RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) right next door. Dartmouth gives you hiking, skiing, and a campus that becomes your entire world. Neither is better — but one will suit you more.

Which Type of Student Fits Each School

Choose Brown if: You want maximum academic freedom. You're self-motivated enough to design your own education without requirements guiding you. You lean creative or intellectual. You want a progressive campus culture in a real city. You'd rather explore than specialize early.

Choose Dartmouth if: You want a close-knit, spirited college experience. You're drawn to the outdoors and a campus-centered social life. You value tradition and community. You want strong undergraduate teaching with the resources of an Ivy. You're okay with (or excited about) a significant Greek life presence.

Early Admission Strategy

Brown offers Early Decision (binding). The ED acceptance rate is typically around 14-16%, a significant boost over the regular rate. If Brown is clearly your first choice, ED is the smart play.

Dartmouth also offers Early Decision (binding) with an acceptance rate around 18-21% — one of the larger ED boosts in the Ivy League. Dartmouth is very transparent about valuing demonstrated interest, and ED is the strongest signal you can send.

If Dartmouth is your top choice, the ED advantage is substantial. Don't waste it.

The Bottom Line

Brown is for the student who wants to chart their own course. Dartmouth is for the student who wants to be part of something bigger than themselves. Brown gives you freedom; Dartmouth gives you belonging.

Both are exceptional schools with passionate alumni networks. The question isn't which is better — it's which version of your college experience sounds more like you.

Not sure where you fit? AdmitOdds uses real admissions data to predict your chances at Brown, Dartmouth, and every other top school. Get your personalized odds today.