Chances please? Dartmouth is my dream school.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Dartmouth College
1

<p>I'm a junior this year and I've been researching colleges and I fell in love with Dartmouth. Could you please help me out? I am going to do Early Decision because this is definitely my top choice school.</p>

<p>Academics:
I am a junior and I have a 4.0 GPA weighted and a 3.75 unweighted.
I go to a very rigorous private Catholic school and I'm pretty sure I'm at least in the top 10%.
SAT:I haven't taken the SAT yet but I'm aiming for at least a 2100.
SAT Subject Tests: I'm going to take them in English and Spanish.
I'm taking AP English and Spanish and next year I will take AP Ceramics and Government.
I have taken ceramics since 10th grade.
Letters of Rec: I will get my letters from my counselor, Algebra II/Trig. teacher and Honors English Teacher.</p>

<p>Extracurricular:
-I have also been a Girl Scout for the past 11 years and I have earned my Gold Award organizing baking at the Ronald McDonald House (a place for the families of sick children in hospitals).
-I am in National Honors Society, Campus Ministry and CSF.
-I have done steady volunteering at a school with many underpriviledged Latino students since 9th grade. I tutor there about 4 hours a week (On Tuesdays and Wednesdays). I have been very involved with this school. I know the position these kids are in because I was an English learner who came from an underpriviledged family as well.
-I have about 200 hours so far but I'm definitely hoping to get many more.
-I am in National Art Honors Society and I am in a commitee that is putting together a mural for the choir room.
-I have played guitar since I was in 8th grade.</p>

<p>Awards:
-4.0 Award, Presidental Service Award, Bronze, Silver and Gold Girl Scout Award.</p>

<p>I am also billingual Latina. Spanish was my first language, and even though I am now fully fluent and successful, I went into school not knowing a word of English. My parents are immigrants from Bolivia and El Salvador. I am going the be the first in my family to go to college.</p>

<p>Should I be doing anything else to prepare? Any suggestions? Thanks! (sorry it's so long)</p>

2

<p>Gabs91,</p>

<p>I think your Latino heritage and the fact that you will the first in your family to go college are a plus for you at Dartmouth. I also think ED is the way to go, but only if you are certain Dartmouth College is "the one." </p>

<p>Make sure you prepare well and practice regularly for the SATs. You might also consider taking the ACT. Continue to keep your grades up in rigorous courses.</p>

<p>Your essays will be important, as will your description and representation of your ECs, especially your Girl Scout and volunteering experience. Going forward, I would push a little more on your guitar playing and your art (the ceramics and murals) and consider applying with an Arts Supplement. This gives you an extra something in your application, especially if these activities are important to you.</p>

<p>Best of luck and keep in touch!</p>

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<p>Thanks for the advice! I saw that you got into Dartmouth. Congratulations! :)</p>

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<p>1st gen college student + Hispanic, I think you have a very good shot.</p>

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<p>Unless you are extremely low income (which would earn a full ride at D), you might reconsider ED to Dartmouth in light of Harvard's new financial aid plan, which could be matched by Yale and/or Princeton. Unless D changes its finaid policy (keep watching the D thread), the other schools may be a lot less expensive for your family (assuming you could get in).</p>

<p>A first gen, high scoring Latina is a big hook in any college. Good luck.</p>

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<p>Thank you! :)</p>