The personal statement is the heart of the application. We want to know why you think Dartmouth is the right school for you, and it should make specific connections to Dartmouth’s programs.

Submit your statement in the SOPHAS Program Documents section, and then upload a file through the Statement of Purpose and Objectives section. 

For more information on uploading documents, visit the SOPHAS Applicant Help Center!

Recommendations should come from people who can provide a thoughtful, thorough, and honest assessment of your academic abilities in general and, specifically, the ability to succeed in the graduate programs at Dartmouth. To ensure your evaluation is thorough and reflects all your attributes, make sure you contact your evaluators well in advance to give them sufficient time to write and submit their evaluations by the deadline. After you supply SOPHAS with the recommenders' email addresses, SOPHAS sends the recommender instructions on how to submit the letter electronically.

(Note: If you have trouble submitting in SOPHAS with only two letters, please put your own name in as the third recommender. This should allow you to submit.)

For more information on requesting letters of recommendation, visit the SOPHAS Applicant Help Center!

College seniors & college graduates within the last 12 months: Letters of recommendation should come from your professors who can assess your academic abilities.

Applicants who have been out of college longer than one year: Letters of recommendation should come from employment supervisors and/or professors who can assess your academic and professional abilities.

Please submit a current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) in the Supporting Information / Documents section.

• NOTE: A Curriculum Vitae (CV) for an application is a detailed document that outlines your academic background, professional experience, skills, and accomplishments relevant to the field of public health or health sciences. A CV can include: educational background, professional experience, research and publications, certifications, volunteer work, and professional affiliations.

In the Academic History section, submit official transcripts for all academic work towards any degree earned, including all undergraduate and graduate degrees. If you are currently enrolled in a degree program, please submit a current official transcript of courses completed and work in progress. Institutions must submit official transcripts directly to SOPHAS using their Official Transcript Request Form. (We can’t accept photocopies or student copies.) For any degree earned at foreign institutions (outside the U.S./Canada), we do require an official WES evaluation to review your application. Please request the evaluation to be sent directly to SOPHAS.

For more information on submitting transcripts, visit the SOPHAS Applicant Help Center!

GRE Scores

Those applying during the 2024-2025 admissions cycle have the option to submit valid (non-expired) GRE test scores to be considered for review. 

TOEFL or IELTS

All non-native English speakers must submit either the TOEFL or IELTS to demonstrate proficiency in English. Results shouldn’t be more than two years old.  This requirement is waived for applicants who received a degree from an institution outside the U.S. where instruction is in English.

The minimum required TOEFL scores for the different exams are as follows:

• Internet-based exam: 100
• Computer-based exam: 250
• Paper-based exam: 600
• IETLS minimum score: 7

For more information on submitting standardize test scores, visit the SOPHAS Applicant Help Center!

SOPHAS has a standard application fee. The application fee is non-refundable and is not credited toward any charges when an accepted applicant registers as a student. Dartmouth does not require a supplemental application or fee.

Fee Assistance Program

Beginning at the start of the cycle, a limited number of fee waivers are provided to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis and are offered directly through SOPHAS. You may request a fee waiver as soon as you create an application, but keep in mind that fee waiver funds can be quickly depleted. Contact customer service at 617-612-2090 before you submit a fee waiver request to determine if waivers are still available.