GuidesUpdated 1 November 2026
The Dartmouth alumni interview: how it works and how to prepare
Dartmouth's alumni interview is optional and, in Dartmouth's words, both informative and evaluative: your interviewer adds a report to your file. Early Decision interviews happen around November and Regular Decision ones from early December to mid-February, by phone, video or in person.
After you apply, an interviewer contacts you by email. If none is available, Dartmouth says you aren't at a disadvantage. Below is how it works, a question Dartmouth itself lists, a worked example and how to prepare.
How does the Dartmouth interview work?
| Question | What Dartmouth says |
|---|---|
| Is it required | No, it's optional |
| What kind of interview | Both informative and evaluative; the interviewer's report goes in your file |
| Who interviews you | Dartmouth alumni (one Dartmouth page also mentions current students; see below) |
| How it's arranged | Your interviewer contacts you by email after you apply |
| Early Decision timing | Around November |
| Regular Decision timing | Early December to mid-February |
| Format | Phone, video call or in person |
| If you aren't interviewed | No disadvantage |
Dartmouth's pages differ slightly on who interviews: its alumni interview page says Dartmouth offers alumni interviews only, while its "How do I get an interview?" answer says an alum or current student will contact you. Either way, expect someone who knows Dartmouth well and wants to hear about you in your own words.
What questions are asked in a Dartmouth interview?
Dartmouth's own alumni interview page includes this example: "Tell me about your school: courses, teachers, favorite subject, least favorite subject?" (source: Dartmouth Admissions). It also says your own questions give the interviewer insight into what you value and how you think. Expect questions like these:
| Theme | How it's often asked | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| School | "Tell me about your school: favorite and least favorite subject?" | Honesty and what engages you |
| You | "What do you do when you're not in class?" | What you care about |
| Why Dartmouth | "Why Dartmouth?" | That you know what's distinctive there |
| Community | "What would you bring to a small college in a small town?" | Fit with a close community |
| Values | "Tell me about a decision that was hard to make." | What you value and how you think |
A worked example: "What's your least favorite subject?"
- Why it's asked: it's a test of honesty and self-knowledge, not a trap.
- What a strong answer does: names the subject plainly, says why it doesn't click for you, and what you do about it.
- Weak answer: "I like all my subjects equally."
- A likely follow-up: "Is there anything about it you've come to appreciate?"
Teaser of a strong opening (swap in your own): "Probably [chemistry]. I'm fine at it, but memorizing [reactions] without seeing why they happen bores me, so I started [watching lecture videos that explain the mechanism]."
How to prepare for a Dartmouth interview
- Answer the published question first. Know your favorite and least favorite subject, and a teacher who changed how you think.
- Bring a short activity sheet if you like. Dartmouth says a brief resume or activity sheet can be helpful. Keep it to one page.
- Know why Dartmouth specifically. The D-Plan, the size, the outdoors, a program you'd join: tie one of them to you.
- Practice out loud. Short, specific answers that sound like you.
- Bring two questions. Dartmouth says your questions show what you value. Ask what Dartmouth was like for them. See questions to ask your alumni interviewer.
AdmitMock is an AI mock interview app for Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL and US college alumni interviews: an AI interviewer asks the questions out loud, follows up, and shows you what to fix.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Dartmouth interview required?
No. It's optional, and Dartmouth says applicants who aren't interviewed are not at a disadvantage.
Is the Dartmouth interview evaluative?
Dartmouth describes it as both informative and evaluative. Your interviewer writes a report that is added to your file.
When are Dartmouth alumni interviews?
Around November for Early Decision, and from early December to mid-February for Regular Decision.
Can I bring a resume to my Dartmouth interview?
Yes. Dartmouth says a brief resume or activity sheet can be helpful.
Is the Dartmouth interview online?
It can be by phone, video call or in person.
Related guides
Sources
Checked 1 November 2026.
AdmitMock is not affiliated with Dartmouth College. We use Dartmouth's published guidance and common interview formats, not insider information.
