Chance a Legacy ED with low stats

<p>here's the deal... my dad is a Dartmouth alum, donates lots of money, and has several connections to faculty there. My top choice has been BC, but my dad seems to think that I will have a good shot ED if I'm willing to make that commitment (but obviously his opinion is biased as a father lol). The only reason Dartmouth hasn't been high on my list is because I don't think I could get in... but if I have a shot, it will certainly move up. I'm going to visit Dartmouth in the next couple of weeks to see for sure, but give me your honest opinion if I have a shot ED.</p>

<p>Info:
- small private school outside of Boston, Mass
- 3.65 GPA weighted
- class does not rank
- I've taken pretty demanding classes </p>

<p>Testing:
SAT: 1290/1600; 1970/2400... took it yesterday--not sure if scores will improve
SAT II: Math I 680; French 700--taking French w/ listening in Nov.
ACT: to be taken</p>

<p>AP:
English Lang 3
French 5</p>

<p>Senior Year schedule:
Calculus B
AP Environmental
Religious Conflicts
World Literature - Honors
French V - Honors</p>

<p>some ECs:
- Sailing Race Team A 9, 10, 11, 12
- Varsity Crew 9, 10, 11, 12
- JV Cross Country 10, 11
- Editor of Yearbook 11, 12
- Junior Sailing Instructor (work)
- Vice Commodore of Junior Yacht Club 2008
- Treasurer of JYC 2007
- etc, etc, etc...</p>

<p>I think it's a real stretch. Even if your SATs jump a lot, your GPA is not as high as Dartmouth typically likes to see.</p>

<p>I agree with VeryHappy. Any chance of being recruited for sailing or crew?</p>

<p>Consolation,
I think it's probably too late for that. I'm good at both and have potential, but I'm certainly not an olympic quality sailor. </p>

<p>Dartmouth really stresses me out... I know i don't have a chance and I'd hate to pass up my top choice schools. I should just focus on getting in to those.</p>

<p>Have your father give a call to admissions or the alumni office. If they are like the similar school I attended, they are very honest with alum about their kid's chance. They will have all the facts about what percentage of legacies get in (25% which is not bad but is sobering for many parents!) and what is expected. You don't have much to loose as Dartmouth takes the common app and has no real supplement.</p>

<p>hmom5,
good idea :D
I should have him give admissions a call so he can realize how much of a waste it is to apply and get rejected when I'm not that interested in Dartmouth in the first place. The Dartmouth application does seem like work though... the whole peer recommendation and whatnot. I don't want to waste other people's time too, so I don't know. </p>

<p>Anyways, I decided that I would just apply regular decision, which will almost guarantee a rejection letter... but that's fine with me. I don't have my heart set on Dartmouth, and I'd even choose my top school over Dartmouth.</p>

<p>probably deferred I'd say, because your father has donated money, so they won't chuck you out early round.</p>