Dartmouth College vs University of Pennsylvania

Dartmouth College is the more selective of the two at 6%, versus 6% at University of Pennsylvania. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Dartmouth College
Most selective
6%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1560
Private · New Hampshire
University of Pennsylvania
Most selective
6%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1560
Private · Pennsylvania

Dartmouth College vs University of Pennsylvania: the differences that matter

How Dartmouth College and University of Pennsylvania stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

Dartmouth College and University of Pennsylvania are almost equally selective (6% vs 6%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. Dartmouth College leans more on standardized test scores, volunteer work, while University of Pennsylvania puts more weight on class rank, extracurricular activities, talent / ability. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Dartmouth College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1560 and University of Pennsylvania's is around 1560. Their admitted ranges are nearly identical. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorDartmouth CollegeUniversity of Pennsylvania
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresvery importantimportant
Application essayvery importantvery important
Recommendationsvery importantvery important
Extracurricular activitiesimportantvery important
Talent / abilityimportantvery important
Character / personal qualitiesvery importantvery important
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Dartmouth College or University of Pennsylvania harder to get into?

Dartmouth College is harder to get into, with a 6% acceptance rate versus 6% at University of Pennsylvania.

What's the difference in SAT scores between Dartmouth College and University of Pennsylvania?

Dartmouth College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1560, and University of Pennsylvania's is around 1560.

What are my chances at Dartmouth College and University of Pennsylvania?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.