<p>I'm a junior at a public high school in upstate New York. It's ranked in the top 10% of public high schools in the state.
My GPA is a 90.82 and I recently got a 28 on my ACT plus writing. I'm planning on retaking the ACTs at least two more times.
I took AP World History, AP German, and am taking AP Biology.
I want to become a doctor, possibly specializing in pediatric oncology.
I'm an active member of Diversity club and SADD.
I figure skate and teach figure skating at a program at my local rink.
I'm taking my senior moves in the field soon, I'm landing almost all of my doubles, and I compete regularly at pre-juvenile level.
I was wondering if Dartmouth recruits figure skaters or if that helps my application. I was also wondering if there were any scholarships that would be available if I get accepted and figure skate for Dartmouth.</p>
<p>It’s not an NCAA sport – it’s interesting but not one that spots are set aside for. Plus even if it were, your academic metrics place you way below most viable applicants.</p>
<p>Dartmouth and the rest of the Ivies do not have athletic scholarships. Financial aid is strictly need-based. There are some scholarships that are privately endowed that specify candidates with a certain major or interest or whatever. My S got one directed at his major, at some point after he declared it. But I don’t know to what degree need plays into selecting the recipient…it is likely to be a significant factor.</p>
<p>Is there any way that I could be accepted?</p>
<p>Figure skating is a club sport, which does not mean it’s inconsequential but it makes it unlikely that the coach has any clout with admissions. That said, they are the national champions ([Dartmouth</a> Figure Skating](<a href=“Dartmouth Figure Skating”>Dartmouth Figure Skating)), so it certainly could not hurt you. Two of the current skaters on the roster have the club position of “prospective student outreach” so I would contact one of them for information and maybe how to contact the coach – and soon, because the year is almost over and exams start like next week, so they will be very busy. </p>
<p>“Is there any way [you] could be accepted?” Of course, although your chances right now are not great for the reasons noted by T26E4. Pull up your GPA, get the ACT into the low 30s, and nail your AP tests. </p>
<p>As Consolation said, all financial aid is based on need. Aid tends to come with a name attached (e.g., the Class of ####) but I think it’s more of a marketing thing (meaning the student’s resume) rather than representing selection criteria. If you qualify, you get a grant – and the office figures out later what name to give it. That’s my experience with D at least.</p>
<p>thank you!</p>
<p>Actually, S got just plain grant money to start out with. Eventually, he was informed that he was the recipient of this particular scholarship. IIRC, it was not until junior year, or the end of sophomore year at the earliest. He was required to write a thank you note to the donor, and so forth. I’m sure they would have just continued to give him the money in a “just plain grant” if he had not been eligible for this specific scholarship. The scholarship, while very generous–and we are tremendously grateful for it–did not comprise the major part of his FA.</p>
<p>Definitely use the contacts described above. But unless you can get your GPA and ACT up significantly–or unless your are an URM–I don’t think your chances are strong.</p>
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<p>Even as a URM, she will not be admitted with her current grades and scores.</p>
<p>I would agree, sybbie, except that I do recall one kid who was taken off the waitlist with 600 on each section of the SAT a couple of years ago. On the other hand, he had a VERY compelling story, and higher grades, IIRC.</p>
<p>Definitely, not likely!</p>