Dartmouth & Vanderbilt Visit UNIS September 2025

On Sunday, 7 September, UNIS Hanoi High School Counsellors were thrilled to welcome two admissions representatives from Dartmouth College and Vanderbilt University for an open session in our B10 Theatre. Ms Christina Moreland, Associate Director and Coordinator of Recruitment at Dartmouth College, and Mr Philip Morabito, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Vanderbilt University, hosted an informational session about both of their institutions but also regarding the holistic admissions process for elite US universities in general. Universities likes these, using a holistic admissions process, review the whole person, considering every part of the application—transcript, curriculum, letters of recommendation, essays, extracurriculars, English proficiency, and standardised tests—to see how a student performed within their own high school context, not by comparing students across different high schools. They look at what opportunities are available to students and how students made use of them. When deciding whether to submit test scores, check the university’s mid-50% ranges. For co-curriculars, universities want to know why students chose those activities and how they impacted their community. Essays should tell a student’s authentic story; there is no right or wrong topic and colleges expect the writing to sound like it was done by a 17-year-old, not written by an adult or AI!

Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College is both a liberal arts and research university, emphasising the importance of teaching students not just what to think, but how to think. Its flexible quarter system allows for single, double, or modified majors, encouraging students to take classes across disciplines for a more interdisciplinary education. Dartmouth fosters a strong community through a wide range of co-curricular activities, athletics, and organisations, and provides robust orientation programs for international students. The institution values kindness, inclusion, and a sense of adventure, and is committed to need-blind admissions for all applicants, meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need. Standardised exams are required for admission.

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University offers a park-like, arboretum campus in the heart of Nashville, blending a liberal arts focus with new initiatives like the College of Connected Computing. The university encourages students to engage with diverse perspectives and strives for a balance of collaboration and personal growth, captured in its motto, “Dare to grow.” With over 450 student organisations and strong ties to prominent employers, Vanderbilt is home to a dynamic, international community—12% of students are international, with 91 students from 50 countries receiving aid last year. The university meets 100% of demonstrated need for all US applicants but is need-aware for internationals. Vanderbilt is test-optional for standardised exams, making no assumptions if no score is provided. 

As highly selective universities, both Vanderbilt and Dartmouth share commonalities in their rigorous academics and extensive resources as well as student opportunities and diverse student bodies. But they are completely unique in various ways. At UNIS Hanoi, we strongly believe in finding the right fit when it comes to students’ plans after graduating from high school, as echoed by both Dartmouth and Vanderbilt during the event. We encourage students to investigate how each university’s values, programs, and community align with their interests and goals, rather than simply focusing on a college’s prestige or ranking. The right fit university increases student satisfaction, supports personal and academic growth, and improves the likelihood of graduation and overall long-term success. We hope this information helps guide your discussions at home about future pathways.