College Releases Numbers for Class of 2022

The College recently announced its application numbers to the Class of 2022, as a total of 22,005 applications were received this year. With an increase in applications by 1,971, or 9.8 percent, the school’s acceptance rate is likely to see a significant dip, as it may even enter the single digits. The increase in applicant pool, along with last year’s record yield rate which produced the largest class in Dartmouth history, will likely be significant factors in this year’s admission cycle.

With much rhetoric and discussion relating to President Hanlon’s plan to increase the size of the student body size, all eyes are on the Class of 2022. The new freshmen will provide insight into whether the College will continue to move towards larger classes, which may provide further problems with the seemingly endless housing crisis and class overpopulation.

It is also worth noting that the College was very aggressive this year in recruiting a large number of applicants who are would be first generation college students and students from low income backgrounds through programs such as QuestBridge. The College has also made great efforts to increase visibility and publicity for undergraduates, pointing out the College’s dedication to undergraduates, mission to recruit academics who love to teach, and the unique research opportunities afforded to undergraduates.

As the infamous “Ivy Day” comes closer, many questions surround what the Class of 2022 will look like. Statistics categorizing the class members will likely follow pretty soon, but as discussions about the future of the College persist, this admissions cycle is shaping up to be very interesting in terms of the direction of Dartmouth. While some may argue that it’s important for the College to maintain its identity as the small liberal arts Ivy, one thing remains certain, the Class of 2022 will in many ways be a telltale sign of the direction in which the College is headed.