Any chances... please?

<p>I am an international applicant (from India) applying to Dartmouth RD. I really would be grateful if some of you could take the time to read this and tell me if I stand a chance...</p>

<p>SAT I: 2300 (M-760, CR-760, W-780)
SAT II: Maths 2C-780, Physics-780, Chemistry-750
Class Rank: 4/37
Grades: Our school does not grade, but in my reccomendations my teachers have mentioned that they are top-notch.</p>

<p>Extra-curriculars:
-Won a national level creative writing competition
-Part of the school quiz team- we came runners-up at the national level and won at the state level
-Student journalism: Co-editor of school magazine
-Community service: Did a bit this year
-Tennis- Quarterfinals at a couple of city-level tournaments
-Music- Reasonably proficient at the harmonium (instrumental and vocals)</p>

<p>So... any chances? Would a really good essay help me out?</p>

<p>Ok, while I'm not really an expert, from what I've seen you need the following: a letter from your school counselor explaining how "grading" is done at your school and what type of "grades" you have, an EXCELLENT essay (I would send in a supplemental one...I sent one in and I think it really helped and might have been a big part of me getting admitted), and then there's your ECs. Since you won a national level creative writing competition, I'm guessing you devote a lot of time to writing? If so, that is DEFINITELY something to stress. Write it down as one of your main ECs, and be sure to talk about it. Your ECs are the weakest part of your application, I think, because your SAT scores are stellar (quite a bit better than mine!). Anyways, writing seems to be a big part of your ECs, so be sure to stress that and write excellent essay(s), as well as getting the best recommendations you can. Good luck!!!</p>

<p>A lot, unfortunately, may depend on how well your GC can communicate the strength of your grades. Because that is one of the top things looked at, and if Dartmouth can't tell, with certainty, what your grades are like, they would feel as if they're taking a risk.</p>