The Peer Recommendation: A Unique Window Into You
When applying to college, it's easy to get caught up in the usual suspects: your GPA, test scores, personal essay, and teacher recommendations. But Dartmouth does something a little different—something that truly speaks to its values as a college. It strongly encourages applicants to submit a peer recommendation letter. Not just allows, but recommends. And that emphasis speaks volumes.
At Dartmouth, community isn't just a buzzword—it's a way of life. Students often describe the school as a place where the people are just as important as the academics, where lifelong friendships are formed around late-night study sessions, snowball fights on the Green, and conversations that spill out long after class ends. It makes sense, then, that the admissions team doesn't just want to know what you've accomplished—they want to know who you are.
That's where the peer recommendation comes in. This letter gives the admissions office a glimpse into your character outside the classroom. What kind of friend are you? How do you show up for your community? What's your impact on the people around you, not just as a student, but as a human being?
For me, the answer was easy. I asked my older sister to write mine (here's a short compilation of a few '28s reading our letters!) She's three years older than I am and has known me for my entire life. More than anyone else, she's seen me grow, struggle, celebrate, and change. She's seen how I treat my friends, how I support the people around me, and how I try to be thoughtful and intentional in the ways I move through the world. She knows my values because she's seen me live them. When I thought about who could best represent me to Dartmouth—not just as a student, but as a person—she was the clear choice.

And that's the beauty of the peer rec: it gives the reader insight into who you are through the eyes of someone who walks beside you. It's less formal than a teacher or counselor letter, but often more revealing. It's about authenticity, kindness, loyalty, and character. You can't fake those things. Your peer recommender knows whether you're the kind of person who brings people together, who listens well, who celebrates others' successes, and who offers support when someone is struggling. That's the version of you Dartmouth wants to see.
When you're deciding who to ask for your peer recommendation, don't overthink it. The person doesn't have to have a fancy title or know you for years and years. What matters most is that they know you well in the context of the community. Maybe it's a friend from your robotics team. Maybe it's your neighbor whose kids you've babysat. Maybe it's your debate partner who has seen you at your most passionate. Or maybe, like me, it's your sibling. Whoever you choose, make sure it's someone who can speak truthfully and lovingly about what kind of person you are when no one's watching.
At the end of the day, the peer recommendation helps answer a question Dartmouth deeply cares about: What kind of classmate, roommate, and friend will you be? Because at Dartmouth, college isn't just about academics—it's about building a community where people support and inspire one another for four years and beyond. The peer recommendation helps admissions officers imagine what kind of presence you'll bring to that community.
So when it comes time to choose your recommender, choose someone who can tell that story best. It's not just another part of your application—it's a chance to show Dartmouth who you are from the perspective of someone who truly knows who you are.