Chance a Friend

<p>Hispanic (Chilean) Female
Public HS, California
Usually sends 2-3 to top privates</p>

<p>GPA: 3.9
Class Rank: top 10 percent, I believe
APs: Spanish (5), USH (4), English (4), Calc (4), Euro (4), French (3), Human Geo (2)
SAT 1: 1900 (retake in Jan., didnt prep first time and shooting for something above 2100)
SAT 2: 780 (Spanish), 700 (USH)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
-Center for Race, Poverty, and the Environment - sister's org--have protested at dairies, etc. in California
-Soccer - 4 year varsity player, club soccer, Central Valley Association (interjection: she's amazing)
-Piano (private lessons)- lots of hours
-Church stuff
-California State Lobbying -- with sisters, went to lobby for clean air legislation (for state propositions)
-Tree Fresno Junior Board - founding member, participated as treasurer; environmental club famous in city, does arbory projects
-World Club - founder at school - students discuss world issues (religious, political, etc.)
-Academic Decathlon (only senior year, but basically 40 hours a week...for half a year)
-Forensics - a few awards for speech</p>

<p>Letters of Rec:
Counselor - decent
Teacher 1 - good
Teacher 2 - pretty good-great
Supplemental - from piano instructor, very good</p>

<p>Essays:
Very strong, description of her experience at a museum in Spain - ties in culture, view of life, and family experiences</p>

<p>Awards:
National Hispanic Scholar Finalist
AP Scholar with Distinction</p>

<p>I think Dartmouth is a reach for you. Your SAT scores really need to come way up to make it less of a reach.</p>

<p>Also, given your Hispanic background and, presumably, bi-lingual-ness, one would tend to discount your Spanish AP score and your Spanish SAT II score. Which isn't to say that they're worthless, but they're worth less than they might be for someone without a Hispanic background.</p>

<p>Why Dartmouth??</p>

<p>Im going to have to say that I completely disagree with veryhappy. Based on what Ive seen at Dartmouth, they seem much more to be looking for people that are unique, would be good fits for the college, and can bring something no one else can. You clearly seem to fit this profile, and you have a very high GPA. In the meantime, definitely work on bringing your SAT scores up. And no one will be discounting your SAT/AP Spanish scores because you are Hispanic - that is completely untrue that they are worth less. Best of luck to you</p>

<p>Well, that's my perspective. Remember, of course, that I'm not an AdComm, and nothing I say is official. But I'm interested in what others think.</p>

<p>sorry, misread OP. deleted</p>

<p>I think you have a great shot. You probably wouldn't even have to re-take your SATs. Then again, it couldn't hurt. Also, it was a little weird that you are hispanic and took the spanish SAT II (and didn't even get an 800). But, it wont matter anyways. It woulda been a different story if you were asian or something taking chinese/japanese SAT II.</p>

<p>Hey... I have been a lurker on the site for a while. I just wanted to say I agree with pamplemoose's opinion. But, I would take a bit further. The applicant is a shoo-in, not because of their qualifications, but because of being a relatively high-performing hispanic. If they were white/asian, I would say no shot.</p>

<p>noticed a variant of this thread in the brown forum;</p>

<p>not that i know anything, but i think with your friend's profile- relatively low sats, strong/unique ECs, she'd be more likely to be accepted at brown; which would be good, since it appears that's her "dream school" anyway</p>

<p>Two more thoughts- If she is such a good soccer player, she might want to contact the women's soccer coach at Dartmouth. Also, if her piano playing is good she could make a short CD ans send it in as an art supplement.</p>

<p>I'm no expert, but my guess is IN</p>

<p>"The applicant is a shoo-in, not because of their qualifications, but because of being a relatively high-performing hispanic."</p>

<p>i beg to differ...</p>

<p>I normally don't do chance threads but I have to agree with VeryHappy
that with the OPs currents stats Dartmouth is a reach and she is no where near being a shoo-in.</p>

<p>Is GPA weighted or unweighted (if weighted, what is the unweighted GPA)?</p>

<p>Her SAT scores are kind of low and the AP courses are on the "lighter" end of the spectrum. The Spanish score would get her an exemption from the foreign language requirement, and the math score (if AB) would give her a math 3 credit. If BC she would get a math 3 & math 8 credit. All of the other APs really are not doing anything for her cause.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Academic Decathlon (only senior year, but basically 40 hours a week...for half a year)

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I would have hard time believing the validity of this statement on face value. Are you staying that you participate in this activity 40 hours a week (the equivalent of a full time job?)</p>

<p>ECs are a bit all over the place other than Piano, it looks like she hasn't done anything over a sustained period of time (Op would be better off eliminating the laundry list and focus on a few things).</p>

<p>I also agree with momofrower about contacting the soccer coach and sending a CD as an arts supplement.</p>