Hello!
I am a current junior.
GPA: 3.94
SAT: 2270 (second time)
SAT 2: Chem (780), will be taking Math 2 and Lit
Rank: 3/42?
Current courseload: AP Calc AB, AP Euro, AP Bio, Spanish 3, English 11
Senior Year Load: AP Calc BC, US History (AP not offered), AP Spanish, AP Physics B, AP English Literature
I plan on applying to Dartmouth ED in the fall.
Extracurriculars:
-Varsity Tennis (4 years, captain since sophomore year, Coach’s Award Freshman Year, MVP Sophomore Year)
-Sing in a competitive out of school chorus since 7th grade, travel internationally, perform at high-profile gigs, served as Section Leader freshman and sophomore year
-Involved in a social justice program with my school (since 10th Grade). This year I have served as the leader of an outreach program for disabled youth.
-Classical Piano (6 years)
-Freshman Class Representative
-Volunteer in the disability ministry at my church
Summer:
-Service Trip to Ecuador with my church the summer after my freshman year
-Am travelling on tour to Europe with my choir this summer
-Teach tennis and lifeguard at an athletic club
-Volunteer at a summer camp for children with disabilities
-Will do a individual research project at MIT about the power of music and its role in social justice and restoration
I am planning to ask my English teacher who attended Dartmouth for a recommendation.
Ethnicity: White/Asian
Gender: Male
State: MA
School: Small private
Income: Enough not to get fin. aid
You certainly have the stats. However the main determinant of whether you get in or not will be your ‘story’ and if it meets institutional needs. Good luck
I assume the 3.94 is an un-weighted GPA correct? I would strongly recommend applying ED vs Regular if Dartmouth is your number one school, particularly if Financial Aid is not really a factor. The one observation I have that you might find helpful is that no “theme” emerges from reading your stats, smart guy obviously but nothing really and truly leaps out at you as making you distinct or special. My D just went through the admissions cycle this year and she had similar stats - better test scores, GPA not as good. She did not get into any of the 4 Ivys she applied to but did get accepted and got tons of merit aid at schools a notch or two down. The Ivy League and top LAC’s like Amherst or Williams work very hard to build a class and it helps if there is a distinctive theme to your application. Some unique skill or something you are very passionate about. It might seem unfair, but in today’s admissions environment having good test scores and an impressive GPA is a necessary but not sufficient condition. If you are good enough to play Tennis at Dartmouth that might be enough to differentiate your application. Essentially what you are trying to do is make it crystal clear to the admissions committee what makes you unique, special and desireable to have on their campus
What kind of unique skill are you talking about? When I graduate I will have participated in my choir for 6 years, and have thrown my whole self into it. It’s been a second family to me and I think I could really convey this through my essays. It’s also made me more conscious about social justice/equality. Does this count as a “theme” or “story” that people keep mentioning?
I intentionally stayed away from the things I didn’t love to do that would typically look good on an app (e.g., NHS, Intel or Siemens, Model UN), and instead focused on the things that I loved. I’m just confused about the story or theme that people keep on telling me is necessary.
You are a strong candidate, but as was already said, so are most who apply to those schools and all who are admitted.
That said:
Ivies - Reach for all of them
Duke - low reach
Tufts - match
BC - match
Northwestern - reach
Williams - reach
Amherst - reach
Bowdoin - low reach
Swarthmore - reach
This is just when looking at each school individually, but when you look at all of them as a whole, I DO believe you will be admitted to some of those that I identified as “reach”, and you will be denied at some of them too.
Since Dartmouth is your ED choice, write a very compelling essay and make sure they know you really want to attend there.
Look at it this way…a college application is not an autobiography. College admissions officers don’t have time to sift through reading all about your life story. Make it easy for them. Pick 3-4 relevant details about yourself and highlight that in all your application materials.
Its more like applying for a job – but YOU have to write the job description. Don’t leave it to the admissions officer to imagine your place in the incoming class.
Stats are fine, but EC’s kinda stereotypical, nothing stands out. I think Dartmouth ED is a great move. I’d say polish the way you present the EC’s to give admissions a really good feel for what you’ve done and you have a great shot at each school (considering the 3.94 is UW).
Good ECs and grades. With ED Dartmouth you have a high chance but who know because it’s Ivy. Besides that I’d say you’d have 50-50 odds on every school left (though I’m not super familiar with all those schools so odds could be lower) besides Northwestern and the Ivys.