Dartmouth Warning Letter

<p>Hello everybody,</p>

<p>I am a senior who recently graduated and committed to Dartmouth in the fall. Today I just received a warning letter asking for an explanation of my grades
Final Senior Year Grades (Second semester)
AP Calculus AB: B
AP Japanese: B
Magical Realism (English IV): B+
AP Physics B: C
CAPSEEDS (social studies class required by my school): A-
So my cumulative is a 3.0 unweighted
Previously, I had a 3.9 unweighted with a similar level of rigor. My first semester senior GPA was a 3.87 unweighted.</p>

<p>Here is the letter that was sent to me
Recently, our office received a copy of your final senior year transcript. The Admissions Committee was disappointed to see that after having a very solid record, your grades dropped during your senior year. Because you were accepted to Dartmouth College based on your academic potential and intellectual strengths, you were expected to continue your strong performance throughout your final year of high school. It is stated in the Post-Acceptance Review section of the Dartmouth Admissions Office web site that:</p>

<p>(essentially that they have the right to rescind you if your grades drop significantly)</p>

<p>Please write a letter of explanation to the committee describing why your academic performance slipped so we will be able to understand the change in your record. This information will be passed along to your Undergraduate Dean and Faculty Advisor in order for them to better advise you next year.</p>

<p>Thank You for your prompt attention to this matter.</p>

<p>Now I am not too worried that they would rescind me because they said that my letter of explanation would help them help me next year. However, I just want help in writing a sincere explanation to them. Half of the reason why I slacked off was to stay over at friend's houses and really get to know people better, even if it meant not studying for upcoming tests in the week. The other half of it was simply senioritis which really is a thing. Any help and advice would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>

<p>Well – the truth might be a good start. State why – you have no good reason whatsoever – but the problem is you need to state how you’re going to change that poor judgment (you do see that as poor judgment, right?) and not go into Fr year with the same attitude. But you give no indication that you have “righted the ship”. When and if you do arrive at that conclusion and contrition, then that will be the important part of your letter to DMouth. If you can’t come to that conclusion and contrition, perhaps asking for a year’s deferral might be in yours and Dartmouth’s best interest.</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

<p>I was going to comment but realized T26E4 said everything that needed to be said. </p>