ADMISSIONS—SCHOLARSHIPS—ENROLLMENT
"What I'd Like to Know..."
Some Seasonal Questions Answered
THE Committee on Admission is now selecting the members of the Class of 1958 and the Committee on Scholarships and Loans is at work studying applications for financial aid. The decisions of these committees, to be announced the first week in May, will please many alumni and friends of the College. On the other hand, as is inevitable, some will be disappointed and will have questions concerning admission and financial aid procedures.
In the questions and answers that follow, we have tried to present in a straight-from-the-shoulder way some of the topics that will be under discussion. If readers feel that questions have been omitted or that some question, as stated, has been answered unsatisfactorily, they are invited to send their comments to the editor of this magazine.
1. Question: Is the administration of the College or the Director of Admissions "anti-athletic?"
Answer: No. This is nonsense. The administration of the College, individually and collectively, spends its share of time in Dartmouth cheering sections. No one likes to lose games and all concerned in Hanover desire that our athletic material should be the best possible while operating within the code of procedures agreed upon by the "Ivy Group" of colleges to keep the athletic tail from wagging the educational dog.
2. Question: Does Dartmouth offer athletic scholarships?
Answer: No.
3. Question: Well, then, put it this way: Was it any easier for football players to get admitted to Dartmouth under the coaching administration of Earl Blaik than it is now?
Answer: No. A good number of top football prospects are accepted for admission every year. If, say, 75% of these actually matriculated at Dartmouth, the College's football fortunes would soar.
4. Question: What is being done to get more of the good boys?
Answer: This is where we all have to understand each other. No person who is really interested in Dartmouth would wish the College to be rated for excellence on the basis of the wins and losses of its teams. Our business is teaching and the College is making it its business to assure that the quality of the "raw material" for Dartmouth's teachers is the best possible and on a competitive level or superior to the level of other Ivy Group institutions. Every college in the Ivy Group is interested in good athletes who are also good students. These institutions are interested also in assuring that athletics remain in perspective with their overall educational work.
The Dartmouth enrollment program is developing rapidly to assure that we shall have as much more than "our share" of the best college prospects of all types as possible. We'll talk more about enrollment here a little later.
5. Question: Well, just what type of students do you want? Is Dartmouth now after only "brains"?
Answer: No. There has been no change in Dartmouth's Selective Process of Admission since 1933. The level of competition for admission, however, has risen and boys who have outstanding qualities of citizenship, character and special talents (including athletic ability) now, on the average, present more outstanding academic records than could their predecessors. A visit to the campus or a chat with a group of undergraduates will assure anyone that the various qualities in its men that established the greatness of the modern Dartmouth are as vigorously represented in its students as at any time.
6. Question: Just what is a "well-rounded boy"?
Answer: The phrase has gotten a little out of hand; it is, perhaps too convenient as a joke-maker: someone spoke recently about the "well-rounded student with a short radius." Dean-Emeritus Heermance of Princeton has said that the epitome of "well-roundedness" is the billiard ball: "it takes on a high polish and is easily pushed around!"
Dartmouth seeks men who have an aptitude for the liberal arts and who have an educational background and motivation that promise academic success. Beyond that, the College is looking for men who have sufficient breadth in their interests and strength in their personal qualities to establish them as valued members of the student body. It would be ludicrous to seek to enroll only men who possessed identical attributes of "well-roundedness." It is more accurate to speak of a "wellrounded student body" wherein, after ascertaining the ability of each man to do Dartmouth's academic work, we find that some men have strength in journalism, or in music, or in the arts and others demonstrate, force and zest in athletic competition. The mingling of these and other qualities of the widest diversification has established the College's reputation as a vigorous and alert national institution.
7. Question: How do you tell whether an applicant will be able to do the work at Dartmouth?
Answer: This is judged primarily on the basis of his actual performance in secondary school and his demonstrated aptitude to do Dartmouth's liberal arts work. The required statement from his high school principal is also important.
8. Question: College Board tests are once again required for admission. Does this mean that more emphasis is now being placed on intellectual capabilities than on the other qualities of character which have been a great source of strength for Dartmouth in the past?
Answer: No. During the last few years the Committee on Admission has developed a predictive index for forecasting academic success at Dartmouth. This index has a high, and increasing, validity. The College Board Scholastic Aptitude Test is a useful part of that index. Its use, however, does not imply any greater emphasis on the intellectual factor in selection for admission.
9. Question: An applicant's marks in school are a matter of record, but how do you determine with any accuracy his personal qualifications?
Answer: Qualities of character such as trustworthiness, initiative and dependability and other qualities which collectively attract friendship and confidence in others are evaluated on the basis of statements of persons who know the applicant well. Confidential statements of the candidate's personal qualities are sought directly from school principals and others. The interviewing of applicants by Dartmouth alumni is also important in assisting the Committee on Admission to evaluate a candidate's personal qualifications.
10. Question: Is the alumni interviewing system a really effective part of the admission procedure?
Answer: Yes. The Committee on Admission considers that alumni interviewing is vital to the Selective Process.
11. Question: What is the Selective Process?
Answer: The Selective Process was established in 1921 and, at that time, was unique in that the reason for its adoption was to permit the breadth of a man's interests and positive qualities of character and personality to be considered along with academic qualifications for admission. It is believed to have been the first of the competitive processes of admission now universally employed by the private colleges which have broad opportunities for selection, based on the qualities of the "whole man." We have been discussing the Selective Process here by mentioning aspects of its operation such as recommendations of school principals, personal statements evaluating a man's character and the work of the alumni interviewing committees.
12. Question: Someone said that the requirements for admission change from year to year and that some years it is more difficult to be admitted than others. Is this true?
Answer: The requirements do not change from year to year, but because all candidates seeking admission are judged competitively, the level of competition tends to vary from year to year.
13. Question: How many apply for admission each year and how many are accepted?
Answer: In recent years, approximately 4000 men have made application and approximately 3000 have completed applications. The freshman class usually numbers about 725 men.
14. Question: If a candidate who has been accepted for admission withdraws his application, will another candidate be chosen in his place?
Answer: No. In anticipation of a certain number of withdrawals, the Committee on Admission accepts a larger number of men than are expected to enroll.
15. Question: You talk about the Selective Process of picking well-rounded boys and all that stuff. We had a fine boy from our town who, one of the fellows told me, had an excellent recommendation from his principal and good marks but he didn't get in. On the other hand, another fellow from the same school who didn't stack up at all was admitted. How do you explain this?
Answer: We can't, without looking at the record. The only way to consider any specific case is to discuss it on the basis of all the data available. Although it does not claim infallibility, the Committee on Admission does have more factual information concerning an applicant than does any single interested person. Anyone who has specific questions concerning admissions is urged to take them up with the Committee; only thus can there be the broad alumni understanding of admissions problems which is so desirable.
16. Question: What subjects does a boy have to take in secondary school to be eligible for admission to Dartmouth?
Answer: There are no inflexible subject requirements for admission. The Committee recommends, however, that a desirable background for Dartmouth work would include four years of English, a total of three to five years in one or two foreign languages, three or four years of mathematics, physics or chemistry or both, and two or three years of history. Many men are admitted who do not have that prescribed background; the primary consideration is the quality of work rather than its specific content.
17. Question: Is it true that an applicant's academic work in his last two years of secondary school is especially important?
Answer: Yes. Special emphasis is placed on the quality of work in an applicant's last two years. It is interesting to the Committee if an applicant's work has improved over the four years of secondary school as an indication that he is developing his capabilities and interests.
18. Question: What grades should a candidate maintain in secondary school to qualify for admission?
Answer: Dartmouth has no numerical or alphabetical grade requirements. The candidate must meet the prevailing scholastic competition. Generally speaking, he should stand high in his class (how high depends on the standards of his school) and have maintained a better than certifying record in all his courses. A rough rule of thumb is a top-quarter rank with a sound program of courses. However, in some schools which send few students to college a top-tenth rank is essential, while in good college preparatory schools, public and private, a second-quarter rank is sometimes acceptable. In unusual circumstances a few boys are admitted from below the middle of the classes in highly selective schools.
19. Question: Should applicants make an effort to visit Hanover and be interviewed personally by an officer of the College for admission?
Answer: All prospective applicants are encouraged to tour the College and visit the Office of Admission. However, because many Dartmouth candidates live in areas far removed from Hanover those who are interviewed are not accorded any preferred position with regard to admission.
20. Question: Will a candidate have a better chance of being accepted if he attends a private school rather than a public school?
Answer: No. Almost two-thirds of the entering students these days come from public schools, and as a group they more than hold their own.
21. Question: Are there any secondary schools which specialize in preparing students for Dartmouth?
Answer: No. Every year Dartmouth admits boys from over 400 secondary schools.
22. Question: Does it cost more to attend Dartmouth than other comparable colleges?
Answer: No. The charges at Dartmouth are similar to the charges at other Ivy colleges. Room rentals, depending on the room occupied, range from $12O to about $380 and average $21O. A minimum of $440 is required for food; freshman board in Commons is, at present, $220 per semester. The annual tuition charge of $600 is augmented by an "added fee toward the cost of education" which is $200. A student who wishes to live on a low budget without sacrificing any essentials should have a minimum of $1,700 at his disposal. This figure doesn't include travel, dentistry, or clothing.
23. Question: What is the "added fee"?
Answer: The "added fee toward the cost of education" was established in accord with the basic principle of having those who can bear a larger portion of the cost to the College of their education do So The added fee is remitted for men receiving scholarship aid. Tuition and the added fee together cover only slightly more than one-half of the cost to the College of each man's education. The balance must be met from endowment and current gifts, especially the Alumni Fund.
24. Question: How can a boy interested in Dartmouth apply for admission?
Answer: By writing directly to the Director of Admissions, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, for application forms. There is no charge for filing an application.
25. Question: When should a candidate for admission apply?
Answer: It is desirable for a candidate to apply early — say, by the fall of his last school year if not before. March 1 is the deadline for application for admission the following fall.
26. Question: Is there a better chance of an applicant's being accepted if he applies early?
Answer: No. All applications received by March 1 are considered on the same basis.
27. Question: What advantage is there in applying earlier than in the year immediately preceding entrance?
Answer: Early application provides opportunity to study recommended programs of preparation and consult with admissions officers. Applicants', rooms are given out in accordance with the date of application.
28. Question: Are alumni sons given preference by the admissions committee?
Answer: Yes. Sons of alumni are given preference for admission when being considered competitively with applicants of approximately the same qualifications. Other applicants who receive preference are residents of New Hampshire, residents of the states west of the Mississippi, or south of the Potomac and Ohio Rivers, residents of the territories and dependencies of the United States, and residents of foreign countries, as well as the sons of officers of the College.
29. Question: Are "quotas" used by the Committee on Admission?
Answer: There are no "quotas" of any kind for geographical areas, schools, or other groups.
30. Question: When will admissions decisions be announced this year?
Answer: Most admissions and financial aid decisions will be mailed during the first week in May. Men accepted for admission must state definitely by May 19 whether or not they will matriculate.
31. Question: Does Dartmouth have any really substantial scholarships?
Answer: Dartmouth has some excellent scholarships. Last year, with the inauguration of the Daniel Webster National Scholarships, Dartmouth made a considerable step forward. These scholarships range from an honorary award of $100 for those who need no aid to a maximum of $1800 per year for students having very limited financial resources and living farthest from Dartmouth. The College has other fine scholarships such as its Regional and special scholarships.
32. Question: What chances do students have for working part of their way through Dartmouth?
Answer: Employment at the Dartmouth Dining Association is open to men who are on financial aid. Dartmouth has a placement service for students who wish to do other jobs around Hanover. Some students get work in local restaurants and there are other jobs such as work in Baker library, gardening and baby sitting. However, Hanover does not have the many employment opportunities to be found at institutions located in large cities.
33. Question: What is the policy of awarding loans to students who need financial aid?
Answer: Freshmen on financial aid do not receive loans. Starting with the sophomore year most men are awarded part of their aid in the form of loans. The College is careful to make sure that no man finishes his course at Dartmouth with an inordinate obligation. The record for repayment of Dartmouth loans is extremely high.
34. Question: Can Dartmouth compete successfully with other colleges on the matter of awarding scholarship aid?
Answer: In almost every case of an exceptional student who requires financial aid, the College is able to offer him aid sufficient to cover his need. Every year, however, some men who are acceptable for admission must be told that the College does not have sufficient financial aid funds to meet their needs.
35. Question: What is being done about this?
Answer: The Trustees have set scholarship aid funds as a top priority of the College and the Development Council is at work to increase Dartmouth's resources in this area. Progress is being made; last year 25% of the freshman class received aid (in contrast to an average of about 19% for recent years), establishing a record in modern Dartmouth history. This record was possible because of the new Daniel Webster National Scholarships and the scholarship assistance given by the Alumni Fund.
36. Question: Just what is this "need basis" that is always mentioned when scholarships are discussed?
Answer: Applicants for financial aid and their families fill out forms indicating their financial situation, on the basis of which the Committee on Scholarships and Loans determines the amount "needed" to fill the gap.
37. Question: I heard the other day about some parent who is making $15,000 a year and whose son received scholarship aid. How come?
Answer: That would be most unlikely. The average family income for freshmen on aid this year is $5,706. There are men on aid whose families have larger incomes, of course, and in these cases additional family responsibilities such as dependent grandparents, illness in the family or other responsibilities make aid as necessary as it would be for a family in a lower income bracket.
38. Question: Now, let's talk about the enrollment committees. Aren't they just asking for trouble; don't we have more applicants now than we can handle and don't we have a shortage of scholarship funds? What's the sense in trying to get more boys to apply? Doesn't it just mean more disappointments?
Answer: This answer will probably sound too easy, but the enrollment committees being organized among the alumni clubs are after quality rather than quantity. They will seek out only the very best prospects from their areas. As they gain experience in their work they will have a pretty good idea just who will be acceptable for admission.
39. Question: Can these enrollment groups guarantee admission or financial aid to applicants?
Answer: No. All admissions decisions and financial aid awards must be made in Hanover. This is in accordance with agreements established between cooperating colleges and also because no one who does not have access to all applications can know the exact competitive level within the group of applicants for the freshman class.
40. Question: How will enrollment committees operate?
Answer: Under the general direction of the National Enrollment Committee, recently established by the Alumni Council, the primary job of committees will be to find promising boys when they are still in secondary school, interest them in Dartmouth, and then stay with them until they actually matriculate. In the past we have lost fine boys whose interest lagged alter they were accepted for admission and who went elsewhere. (This, of course, works the other way also and Dartmouth frequently gets fine boys who had planned to go to some other college.)
41. Question: Can enrollment groups seek athletes?
Answer: Certainly. The primary purpose of enrollment activity is not to better our yards-gained, but many enrollment workers will have the satisfaction of helping to interest athletes in the College.
42. Question: How can one become active in enrollment work?
Answer: The alumni club in your area is fully posted, and over fifty clubs now have enrollment committees established. Individuals may receive enrollment information by writing to Edward T. Chamberlain, Executive Officer, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire. Mr. Chamberlain is secretary of the National Committee on Enrollment.
43. Question: Your questions were helpful as far as they went, but I have a lot more about admissions and other aspects of the College.
Answer: Send them in to the ALUMNI MAGAZINE. This sort of question-and-answer feature will appear periodically, and perhaps your questions would be helpful for other alumni.
Mr. Allen, the author of this feature, is Assistant Secretary of the College.
