A pretty interesting "what are my chances"

<p>I've been wondering for a while if i have what it takes to get into Dartmouth. I'm applying ED and I'm a pretty stand out kid, but even though I've done well in school I'm worried a bad sophomore year is going to kill my chances (3.4 un-weighted). I have a pretty outstanding resume but I don't know if that will do much. At any rate here are my stats:</p>

<p>3.7 un-weighted GPA (Freshman year 3.9, junior year 3.8, un-weighted), 4.1 weighted</p>

<p>No class ranks but I've been on the deans list my whole career and I've taken the most rigorous schedule at my school (6 AP's, 7 honors)</p>

<p>Act is 29 but I'm retaking it later this month, I only took it once and I'm fairly confident that I'll bump in into the 30's, this is a non-issue</p>

<p>Sat2's; Math 1: 700, Math 2: 740</p>

<p>My resume:
Academics
• Next year will be my fourth straight year on the Dean’s list.
• I have studied Chinese for six years and spent time in Mainland China.
• Next year will be my fourth in Seaholm’s accelerated Chinese program.
• I am a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.
• I am now a senior member of National Honors Society.
• I was chosen as a junior to be a part of my school’s Leadership Seminar.
School Involvement
• I served as the vice president of the Young Democrats Club.
• I founded the Politico Society, which was originally intended as a political seminar but evolved into a student activist group called the Seaholm Executive branch on which I served as president.
• I served one term as class treasurer and currently serve as student body treasurer.
• I was appointed a member of my school newspaper's staff, I write a regular Political Column.
o The Highlander is a nationally recognized school newspaper.
• I served as a chair on my class’s field day committee.
• I also served as a member of the prom planning committee.
• I am a cellist in my school’s Symphony Orchestra.
Extracurricular Involvement
• I am an eagle scout.
• I am a veteran of my school's debate team.
• I am an academic all state water polo player as well as a member of my school’s varsity team.
• This year will be my fourth straight year on the varsity swim team.
• I’ve been a cellist for almost nine years.
Political Involvement
• I am a member of the (the city where I live in)'s City Council; I serve as a student representative on the city of Public Arts Board.
• I interned with senator Carl Levin this past summer.
• I write a political article for the Seaholm highlander.</p>

<p>Also I noticed that a lot of people added their race and gender, for the record I'm a white male.</p>

<p>Your ACT score is a problem. Unfortunately, you have (mis)represented yourself as a mile wide and an inch deep. Based on your above post admission to Dartmouth College is not likely. Don't waste your ED app on such a tiny chance. The good news is that you might be attractive to highly selective Middlebury College due to your linguistic skills.</p>

<p>Your ACT's are regrettable.</p>

<p>Also, ColdWind, just because his EC's are a mile wide doesn't mean his activities are necessarily an inch deep. If I picked three of his EC's, and built a chance thread around it, people would agree he'd have a shot.</p>

<p>So basically, wylan, make sure to give your activities depth. Which three did you spend the most time on? Focus your activity sheet, and maybe your essay on a few things that make you amazing. But definitely list out everything important that you've done.</p>

<p>And that is the point. Present yourself in a more substantial light. You need to cull the redundancies from your resume. Even so, your chances are below average based on your above posting.</p>

<p>Thank you both for your advice. You're absolutely right about my ACT. If I were to get it to the 32+ range do you think things will be any different?</p>

<p>A 31 ACT will help get your application into a more favorable pile. The key in this instance is how you present yourself in your application. You may have the "goods" but nobody will know unless your application is fashioned in an enticing & convincing manner. This, I suspect, is how & why Michele Hernandez is able to command such large fees for her services as an educational consultant. Although I believe that you can do this on your own! Good Luck!</p>

<p>I was wondering if where I go to school might make a difference. I come from the number one ranked public high school in michigan, and we've had at least one person from our school accepted every year since i've been there. Also, as far as I know I'm the only person applying. Does anyone think this will make a difference?</p>

<p>you don't go to international academy..</p>

<p>If I were you I would not give your HS name in threads like this, since that plus the ECs you cite make you easily identifiable. Clover, he clearly goes to Seaholm HS in Birmingham. Whether Seaholm is the #1 HS in Michigan is another matter.</p>

<p>Any better news on the ACT front?</p>

<p>Also, I don't think taking both maths really counts as two subject tests...</p>

<p>I beg to disagree with the first half of your title.</p>

<p>^yeah-I was expecting something really strange about your application. Maybe a 2400 SAT, but bad grades, or something along those lines. Or an amazing hook, but weaknesses in other areas.</p>

<p>your grades are above average, as are your test scores(you need another subject test, btw. cant take both maths) but there is nothing in your app that says "This student is brilliant! This is a rare mind!"....to me it says "This student worked his butt off during hs." Maybe if you boasted a 2350+ on the SAT1 you would be considered, but right now I'm saying: not accepted.</p>

<p>Why 2350+ ?</p>

<p>^ it could also be three 800's on subject tests, an AIME qualification, etc....my main point is that this student never distinguished himself as a person of high intelligence.</p>

<p>You will need at least a 5600 SAT with triple 777s in subjects... just apply.</p>

<p>Anyone can apply. The advice I gave was geared toward those who are actually intent on being accepted :)</p>

<p>ChoklitRain, you're overestimating the competitiveness of admissions at Dartmouth, methinks.</p>

<p>I say apply and then let them decide. To me, a 29 is right in their range (as it says on collegeboard.com). Their decision is not going to rely fully on your test scores, considering you have many other things going for you.</p>