<p>I've heard that most students admitted to the 3 big Ivies have stellar EC's--Westinghouse prize winners, outstanding athletes, world-class musicians, major research, years of community service, major political activism. Is Dartmouth more lax on EC's, especially if you have a fair amount of them but nothing spectacular? </p>
<p>Thanks,
Chris</p>
<p>I don't think it takes RSI or Westinghouse finalists to be competitive at Dartmouth (or Harvard for that matter). I think what matters is that you demonstrate that you spend time engaged in worthwhile activities (i.e. don't sit in front of the TV all afternoon) and that you are dedicated to at least a couple of activities/causes.</p>
<p>ECs are definitely my weak point, which I think says a lot about me, but that's alright. I guess. If I like not going to Dartmouth. <em>cries</em></p>
<p><em>hugs willywonka</em></p>
<p><em>hugs back</em></p>
<p>i know I sit in front of my tv all afternoon. then i nap for a few hours. homework? scribble a bit and go back to bed. it's senior year! my teachers are pretty lax now...</p>
<p>somehow i manage to also be the leader of 5 different groups. amazing how you can cram responsibility into a couple of hours a day. it's always an adventure to race the clock and scramble to finish a take-home psych bluebook during calc class...that's due next period.</p>
<p>They take them very seriously, but not everyone that goes there is gonna be a knock-out prodigy.</p>
<p>For me, the paper's my biggest EC by far. I made sure they got the gist of how important it is to me. I sent a copy, an adviser rec and listed all the awards that the paper's won since I've been on it. </p>
<p>I'm involved in a ton of stuff this year, but I don't really think of it as being in ten different things. I think of it as "Newspaper tonight. Orchestra tomorrow. Pit Friday." And so on.</p>
<p>My school has what they called yearbook royalty. They crown a king and queen based on who's involved in the most activities. Everyone says I'll be queen.</p>
<ol>
<li>Newspaper</li>
<li>Literary Magazine</li>
<li>Young Democrats</li>
<li>National Honor Society</li>
<li>Quill & Scroll</li>
<li>Academic Decathlon</li>
<li>Relay For Life committee</li>
<li>Pit Orchestra</li>
<li>Symphonic Orchestra</li>
<li>Chamber Orchestra</li>
</ol>
<p>And it looks like a laundry list, but I devote my time to each as best as I can. I'm also making straight A's in five AP classes. It's just about what you like and what you're willing to give time to.</p>
<p>The 2204-2005 Common Set Data (for the class of 2008) is now available.</p>
<p>There have been some changes from the class of 2007. For example the average GPA for the class of 08 is 3.75 as compared to 3.66 (for the class of 07)</p>
<p>88% of the class of 08 graduated in the top 10% of their class</p>
<p>Regarding EC's </p>
<p>As far as non-academic factors, Dartmouth considers EC's to be Very Important. They don't look at ECs in terms of quantity, but how deeply involved are you in them, a continued level of commitment, taking a leadership role. So some one who only has one or 2 and has really been committed to them over the long haul is going to be in a better position than someone with a laundry list of ECs</p>
<p>The School List its very important factors as follows:</p>
<p>Secondary School Record
Rank
Recommendations
Test Scores
Essays
EC's
Character/Personality qualities</p>