<p>White Canadian male, no financial aid needed.</p>
<p>GPA: 88.5% UW overall. Grade 12 GPA 90%, look for a similar result in grade 13 (we have extra years in Quebec). Upward trend; +5% in last two years.
Course load: Most difficult, 5/7 courses for honours.
Class Rank: Top 5-6 out of 75 in an honours program.
SAT I: 1420 (730v, 690m)...I'll have to retake the new SAT, and I figure I can get around 2150-2200 on it, given the new material.
SAT IIs: Haven't taken yet, but I think I could score between 690-750 on literature and math IIC, which are the two I plan on taking.</p>
<p>Recs would be very good, essays would be excellent.</p>
<p>ECs: School newspaper (3 yrs, editor 1 yr.), literary journal editor (3 yrs.), some other writing stuff (a couple freelance articles for big city newspaper), quiz team (2 yrs.), music (4 yrs.), part-time job for two years, Battle of the Bands organizer.</p>
<p>I know it's a reach, but I'd have a shot...right?</p>
<p>But seriously, would it be worth it for me to apply ED or not? Just keep in mind that GPA in Canada is a little different than in the U.S.--the top mark in my class, for example, is about a 92-93% (to my 90%).</p>
<p>Chicago wouldn't let me defer admission, and I felt uncomfortable leaving this year. So I'm broadening my search come this year, and while I will still apply to Chicago EA (because of my high chance of re-admission and the fact that it is high on my list), Dartmouth's close-knit community, social life and proximity to home have led me to it as my ED choice (if I were accepted at both Dartmouth and Chicago, I would honour the ED and choose Dartmouth, so it's kosher).</p>
<p>As for improving my application, I have two longer leadership positions (editor of newspaper and lit journal) and the Battle of the Bands organizer as well (I find it hard to communicate on the app just how successful it was when I ran it--we attracted 10 times more people than usual) and I feel that adding any ECs at this point would look like application padding--which is true, to a point. Also, it would be hard to gain leadership positions on ECs at this point, since I don't have seniority if I were to join new ones. Any ideas for that?</p>
<p>Also, any more feedback is very much appreciated.</p>
<p>Yeah I totally agree, I meant to say that you should become a leader in the activities you have already been involved with. It seems like you are a leader in the journal/ paper so I think you are fine there. My advice is to study for the SAT and get the score to a 2200+ if you can. You have a strong rank so this will help solidify your application.</p>
<p>Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm doesn't EDing at Dartmouth disqualify you from applying EA to Chicago. When you ED, you agree to no early apps at any other schools, not just binding ones right?</p>
<p>No, Dartmouth just says that you cannot apply "Early Decision" anywhere else. Besides, I don't think it's breaking the rules--Chicago doesn't bind me to go, while Dartmouth does. So if Dartmouth accepts me, I won't be breaking my commitment to attend.</p>
<p>Dartmouth's policy (from their site) states it clearly: "Applying as an Early Decision candidate involves a commitment to matriculate at Dartmouth if admitted; candidates who are admitted under the Early Decision Plan may not initiate new applications and must withdraw any other applications. It is a violation of the plan for you to be an Early Decision candidate at two institutions at the same time."</p>
<p>hey, I'm a canadian too. 90% is a very good gpa. You're ec's are slightly sparse in quantity, but it's quality that counts, so assuming you're highly involved with all of them, I'd say it's all good. Hopefully the expectations of canadians ae different for applicants from canada.</p>
<p>It's rather hard to say. ED applicants are always more qualified than regular decision and you probably won't get rejected should you not be accepted, but admission is getting tighter and tighter each year. Sometimes it's advantageous to apply regular decision, and it'll all depend on how much more credentials you build up between now and November. Your essays will determine your fate.</p>