Do i even have a chance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Dartmouth College
1

Hiya! I’m an international who applied test-optional since my SAT was cancelled 3 times it was insane. I’m worried my GPA is kinda ■■■■ for Dartmouth, I didn’t really know that I was capable and my grades for 9th and 10th were kinda mediocre. I’m in the IB diploma and am predicted a 43/45. My school used to do the 4.0 system when I was in grade 9 and my gpa was rlly low like a 3.4 but my cumulative gpa from 10-12 was a 6.0 which converts to a 4.0 according to how harvard converts ib gpa to the 4.0 gpa. My school also doesn’t do rank at all so I have no idea where I would fall.
In my opinion my ec’s are decent:

  • voice actor since 10 years old done stuff for like UNICEF, Netflix, discovery kids and etc.
  • interned with a member of parliament
  • intended at the top legal firm in the country
  • national youth orchestra where I performed for leaders of other countries
  • part of a national service club in my country where I took a leadership role in determining the effects of COVID and presented them at a press conference
  • volunteer at a girls orphanage where I teach them weekly on zoom and make weekly trips to teach them rec activities like dance and music
  • created a club in my school for elementary students who struggle in English
  • part-time job at a law firm
  • Vocational level for ISTD modern and took a leadership role to prep for competitions
  • play saxophone in a quartet at the performing arts centre
2

As an international student, there are different questions that need to be considered. Do you need financial aid, and if so how much? Dartmouth is need aware and your financial status will be used in the decision process. Also, what is your home country and how many students apply, get accepted, and enroll from there? You will be compared with other students from your country/region more so than with the general applicant pool. With 10-12% international students, Dartmouth will be even more competitive than it is for American students and the overall acceptance rate was under 10% last year. You have some impressive things listed above but Dartmouth is a huge reach for everyone.

3

Hi, thanks so much for replying! I’m applying without aid and I’m from Malaysia but I go to an American International School so it has quite a big rep with American schools since it’s linked with the American embassy. For Malaysians, applying to the US is less common but my school usually sends a couple of students to ivies per year from different nationalities. But as for Dartmouth, there’s been 6 applicants in the last 5 years where 2 have gotten in and 2 waitlisted but I don’t think anyone in my year is applying to Dartmouth. That’s very true the acceptance rate is super low!

4

This assumes that every single mark was a 6. An average of 6 with some marks being lower and some higher is not a 4.0.

Note that international acceptance is very difficult, with acceptances rates being half or less the overall rate.

5

Sorry, I didn’t know! My school does an IB system so I have no idea how the 4.0 system works, just referring to what I’ve seen/heard! I am aware, I was referring to whether an upward trajectory would be favoured or whether I would have no chance with mediocre grades at the beginning. I know that getting in is a long shot for everyone I was trying to communicate whether I would have a chance (i.e. is it impossible).

6

In terms of Grades , I believe that Dartmouth shall give more weight on your IB Diploma predicted grades and the rigor of the cources you selected. Further Math and Physics at a High Level are much more rigorous than Math and Physics at a Standard Level. Hence, not all 43/45 are the same.
In terms of rank, Dartmouth knows how to rank you based on your School Profile and the Recommendation Letters.
Try also to sit a SAT or ACT future exam if available. I would also sugest that you apply ED.
Keep in mind that according to Dartmouth’s Factbook the acceptance rate for Internationals 23’s and 24’s was between 3.5 to 4%.
Don’t try to impress with questionable EC’s. Be yourself, show your passion and present a cohesive app that will show to Dartmouth how you will contribute to their community.

7

Ops, my mistake!! I just realized that you have already applied. I wish you the best. I believe you have ok chances like all strong applicants.

8

Thanks for the info it’s really useful I really appreciate it. I’m debating taking a gap year and applying ED since I was initially set in on the uk but I recently realized it wasn’t what I was looking for in a uni, so I’ll definitely do that if I do.