<p>I'm a junior and I'm thinking about applying through ED next year. I'm not sure whether I should participate in early decision or just regular decision. Here are my stats:</p>
<p>Stats:
ACT: 34
SAT IIs: 800 World History
GPA: 4.0 UW
Rank: 1 of ~480
Activities: Marching Band (Drum Major), Concert Band (First Chair Flute), Quiz Bowl (Captain), Student Council (Secretary), Friends of Rachel (Co-Founder), and other little things I do (mostly for social reasons)
Income: ~35K
State or Country: IL
School Type: Public, 80% free lunch =/ (including me)
Ethnicity: White (Jordanian)
Gender: Male</p>
<p>Some of the schools I'm looking to apply to: Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Columbia, Georgetown, University of Chicago, Stanford, Fordham, Notre Dame, UPenn.</p>
<p>What are my chances are Dartmouth ED or RD, and what about the rest of my collleges RD?</p>
<p>Your ECs are rather weak. Aside from that, everything looks good. Considering your class rank, you have a decent chance at all of those schools.</p>
<p>I think you have a great shot. You have excellent stats. Also, with your family’s income you really should consider applying through Questbridge. I was a finalist and got free applications to most of my schools, including to Dartmouth where I actually got a likely letter today.</p>
<p>Do you have volunteer work? That is very helpful as well. But all in all things look really good for you in my opinion.</p>
<p>kkamll, what sort of volunteer work did you do? I do help with our school-wide recycling project, which basically involves going around and collecting paper throughout the school and bringing to a local facility. It takes about 60 hours per year. Would that be considered volunteering?</p>
<p>Band really is my main EC. I’m super involved, so I regularly give around 15-20 hours per week during concert season, and 20-25 hours during marching season.</p>
<p>I would definitely consider that volunteer work. I shelve books at my local library, 25 to 45 hours per year since 7th grade. I also volunteer with my local Community Action Team because I need a minimum of 48 hours/year volunteering for NHS at my school.</p>
<p>I am also in band and was sure to specify just how much time it really takes during marching season especially in my case, so be sure to do the same.</p>
<p>Good luck in applying, and, as I said, be sure to check out Questbridge if you haven’t already. It’s a great opportunity, looks good to colleges, and will give you free applications to at least 4 of the schools you indicated you wanted to apply to, assuming you become a finalist, however that is the easier part and you seem plenty qualified for that.</p>