At 4:00 p.m. on September 18, 2025, the highly anticipated Dartmouth College Admissions Officer Meeting made a powerful comeback—this time hosted at Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School (SSBS). After a six-year hiatus, this grand return of the flagship event drew an overwhelming response from a large crowd of students and parents eager for insights into top-tier U.S. higher education. During the gathering, Dartmouth’s admissions officers engaged in in-depth exchanges with representatives from SSBS; meanwhile, they kept students and their families fully updated on the latest admissions policies, program offerings, and campus developments. Through this seamless flow of information, the officers helped students clarify their future application directions and set more targeted goals, injecting them with fresh ideas and renewed motivation for their study-abroad journeys.

Before the main presentation in the auditorium, the admissions officers first held a brief yet productive meeting with college counselors from various international high schools (including SSBS). They delved into in-depth discussions on topics such as curriculum systems (e.g., AP, IB, A-Level) and the evolving admission criteria of U.S. universities. The officers emphasized that when reviewing applications from international students, Dartmouth College places equal emphasis on academic performance and standardized test scores; more importantly, it highly values indicators like course rigor (e.g., whether students challenge themselves with advanced courses), sustained engagement in extracurricular activities, as well as applicants’ inherent potential and sense of social responsibility. As these dialogues deepened, the information-sharing network between international high schools and U.S. universities was further enriched and refined—facilitating the sharing of academic resources and the latest admission trends, and jointly laying a more solid foundation for students’ future development planning.

During the centralized presentation session in the auditorium, Dartmouth College’s admissions officers systematically elaborated on the school’s academic programs and core educational philosophy. As a distinguished member of the Ivy League, Dartmouth offers undergraduate students dozens of well-structured academic programs, with resources shared across multiple platforms (e.g., libraries, research labs, and interdisciplinary centers) to strongly support and encourage students’ cross-disciplinary exploration. At the same time, the officers specifically highlighted Dartmouth’s “Need-Blind” admission policy—a commitment that the college will never reject any qualified applicant due to their family’s financial circumstances. Moreover, they confirmed that Dartmouth promises to provide 100% full financial aid to cover the demonstrated financial needs of all admitted students. In addition, the college has established a Visa and Immigration Services Office and an International Student Experience Office, which work together to offer all-round support services—ranging from pre-arrival visa guidance to on-campus cultural adaptation and academic counseling—to help international students integrate smoothly and thrive.

Beyond the introduction of academic programs and admission policies, the admissions officers also shared in detail the diverse extracurricular development opportunities available at Dartmouth College. These include independent research projects (collaborative with faculty members across various disciplines), on-campus part-time positions (tailored to students’ academic interests and career aspirations), outdoor adventure activities (such as hiking, camping, and skiing, leveraging the college’s proximity to natural landscapes), and a wide array of social events (cultural festivals, student organization gatherings, etc.). Students are encouraged to make bold choices based on their own interests, allowing them to explore their potential beyond the classroom. This fully reflects that Dartmouth College not only pursues academic excellence but also attaches great importance to fostering students’ self-exploration abilities and sense of social responsibility.

In the Q&A session that followed, students and parents actively raised questions covering multiple dimensions—including the preparation of application materials (e.g., personal statements, recommendation letters), local climate and transportation at Dartmouth, the evaluation criteria for extracurricular activities, and on-campus accommodation and daily life. The admissions officers responded clearly and thoroughly, emphasizing that Dartmouth College attaches great importance to students’ performance in community service (sustained involvement rather than one-time participation), leadership experience (whether in student organizations, volunteer projects, or team activities), and personal interests and passions (depth of engagement and personal growth derived therefrom). These factors are regarded as crucial components of the application materials, alongside GPA and test scores. Additionally, the officers kindly shared the official website link for querying Dartmouth’s public transportation information, vividly introduced the college’s signature cuisines (such as locally sourced organic meals in the dining halls) and diverse accommodation options (residence halls, themed houses, and off-campus apartments), and patiently addressed all doubts of students regarding every aspect of campus life.

Many students stated after the event that through this presentation, they had gained a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of Dartmouth College’s curriculum characteristics (e.g., the flexibility of its liberal arts program and the strength of its interdisciplinary majors) and campus culture (inclusive, collaborative, and adventure-driven). This will provide them with practical suggestions and clear guidance during the upcoming application process.

The admissions officers of Dartmouth College expressed that they hope this return to China will attract more outstanding Chinese students to apply to Dartmouth. More importantly, they aim to help more Chinese families gain a profound understanding of the educational philosophy (emphasizing holistic development, critical thinking, and global citizenship) and core values (integrity, curiosity, and social commitment) of the Ivy League.

This admissions presentation event not only effectively delivered the latest and most accurate admissions information about Dartmouth College but also built a solid bridge for educational exchange between China and the United States. The return of Dartmouth College’s admissions team to China not only signifies the re-opening of opportunities for Chinese students to pursue education at this top Ivy League institution but also presents middle school students with a broader perspective on educational choices and more diverse possibilities for their future development.