<p>I really want to go to Dartmouth, but my numbers aren't too impressive. I have mediocre grades (in the hardest possible classes), a crappy class rank (thanks to a very large and very competitive high school), and slightly above average PSAT and SAT scores. Since I'm not too keen on the idea of buying a $70 rejection letter, I was wondering if I have any shot of redeeming myself with a really good essay/reccomendations/EC's. Also, I'd want to be an Arabic major, and at some schools that may help to get in since it's kind of obscure, so would that work to my advantage at all?</p>
<p>There's really no way to have an idea unless you post the actual stats.</p>
<p>If $70 is an issue, I would continue looking.</p>
<p>Even with your actual stats, it'd be hard to say. Well unless you were really clear-cut either way. (mediocre grades? technically, 75-80 would be mediocre. slightly above average scores? slightly above... 50th percentile average? or above... the average of your friends?) It's like you speak in tongues buddy!</p>
<p>And please don't choose a major based on how much you think it'd help you get in. If you really are thinking about it, sure great! But I doubt college really put a lot of weight in that since kids are fickle :) (well maybe some places are looking for female engineers or etc)</p>