ED at Dartmouth?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Dartmouth College
1

<p>Hi, everyone. I know that threads like these belong in the "What are my Chances" section,
but I figured that people on the Dartmouth section will know a lot more.</p>

<p>As of now, I am 90% sure that I want to ED to Dartmouth, and am willing to do the interview if that helps at all.</p>

<p>Thank you in advance</p>

<p>Sex: Male
Race: White
State: MD</p>

<p>SAT I: 2250
ACT: 36
Subject Tests: World History 800, Biology 800, United States History 800
GPA: 3.3/4.0 </p>

<p>(School in in top 50 in US) </p>

<p>IF it helps: 9th: 2.9, 10th: 3.7, 11th: 4.0</p>

<p>APs
Freshman Year
USH - 5</p>

<p>Sophomore Year:
AP Government - 5
Art History (summer) - 5</p>

<p>Junior Year
Statistics - 5
Biology - 5
English Language - 5
Human Geography- 5
World History - 5 </p>

<p>Clubs/Teams:
Historical Publishers (founder/president)
Debate Team (officer)
Biology Club (officer)
Mock Trial (captain)
Newspaper (editor)
Model UN
Magazine editor
Student Government
DNAcademy
Wrestling - 3 years (1 year varsity)
Cross country - 1 year</p>

<p>Jobs/Internships:
On the county board that writes that family life/health curriculum ("flagship" EC)
Camp counselor (paid)
Dunkin Donuts
Internship at Office of Consumer Protection
300+ hours volunteer work</p>

<p>Awards:
Many research papers published in Maryland Historical Society newsletter
National Merit Semi-Finalist
Numerous writing awards
Humanities Award
National AP Scholar</p>

<p>Going into history/polsci direction</p>

<p>Again, I appreciate the input. Thank you.</p>

2

<p>If your GPA (which at my school would be slightly above average) puts you in the top 10%, which I imagine it would (given all your 5s), then you have good chances. A deferral at worst if you apply ED.</p>

3

<p>And if it puts me outside? To say the truth, our county does not rank, so I have no clue.</p>

4

<p>I think things look good; the upward trend since freshman year definitely makes your 3.3 look better. Of course, you have perfect test scores and great EC’s. The only problem with applying ED is that Dartmouth won’t be able to see your senior grades. Having a 4.0 or close senior year would really help you by strengthening your upward trend in grades. </p>

<p>By all means, apply ED if Dartmouth is your first choice, but if you are deferred, don’t lose hope. Dartmouth might want to see your first semester grades, which will help you in the regular decision round if they are A’s.</p>

<p>Overall, I think you have good chances. Good luck!</p>

5

<p>If it puts you on the outside, you still have a good chance. Roughly 95% of accepted students this year were in the top 10%. The majority of those who weren’t went to very rigorous/competitive high schools. Your school is clearly on that list, as it is in the top 50.</p>

6

<p>Why is your GPA so low?! You are so smart, and I think you have a great chance of getting in! :slight_smile: But that GPA…</p>

7

<p>No chance.
Especially because your school does not rank.
You keep using the freshmen years as an excuse, but no chance. Sorry.</p>

8

<p>Most schools view freshman year as a transition period. IIRC Princeton drops freshman grades entirely. I wouldn’t worry about that too much. Your more recent academic work will have far more weight.</p>

<p>That said, “chances” for any sought after schools are pretty impossible. Put in a good application and good luck.</p>

9

<p>^Fully agree with Cegar.
However, a 3.3 cumulative just won’t look good.
You didn’t do so well your sophomore year either.</p>

<p>The plethora of your chance threads suggests that you are insecure and making up most of your stats.</p>

10

<p>I don’t think your freshman year will hold you back, so your chances are as good as most other applicants. Understand that your chances of getting in being are good as most applicants means that you have about an 11% chance, or maybe less, of getting admitted-- because that’s Dartmouth’s admit rate (as of last year) and most of the applications look very much like yours. I say maybe less because you have to figure that 11% includes minorities, legacies, jocks, etc. and if you’re none of those your chances are less. </p>

<p>Also, consider that a school like Dartmouth will have some intangibles in their evaluation criteria, because they are looking for a certain type of student. When my daughter and I visited Dartmouth (she’s at Pomona now) they made it clear that they are looking for students that excel at and have a passion for something in particular-- I heard this from admissions officers at other Ivy League schools (other top schools, like Pomona, will look for strengths and interests that are multidisciplinary). You seem to have a focus on writing in certain areas and have something to show for it in way of publications, so make the most of that. Consider starting a political/history publication at your school, make yourself and your friends that are not applying to Dartmouth co-editors in chief, and that may get special notice by the admissions officer. You’d have to get moving on that pretty quickly, however.</p>

<p>Finally, you’d better do an overnite stay at Dartmouth before you apply ED, to make sure the social life is to your liking. Dartmouth plays down the ‘Animal House’ legacy, but frat parties are still the center of the social life at Dartmouth, and it’s not for everyone.</p>

11

<p>Jeez… how many chance threads do you need???
GPA: 3.3/4.0= very difficult.</p>

12

<p>How did you end up with a 3.3 if you got a 2.9, 3.7 and a 4.0??? The average of those gpas is around a 3.53…</p>

13

<p>The fact that you have a 36 ACT and 3.3 GPA shows you are smart but didnt work apply yourself in high school. That isn’t what most ivies want</p>

14

<p>Great. You’re fine, if you explain in the addtl info section why the GPA is so low vs. other stats—unless it is clearly obvious (freshman grades). Andy btw, 95% are in top 10% OF SCHOOLS THAT RANK!!! That is less than 30% of schools so it is a bogus and misleading statistic perpetuated by US News’ rankings. Even THEY footnote it.</p>

15

<p>Yes, but he is dragged down by the 2.7 freshman. Many schools discount freshman year especially in a file like his I would think…and the grades are rising. SATs and Subjects are solid. APs he has a lot and good scores. I think he has a shot but if its reported as a 2.7 it might be a problem as it will muff up your academic index-but never say never, a good adcoms person knowing should look more closely and calculate the AI dropping your freshman year, look at the APs scholar (makes up for 9th grade), NMSemifinalist I think if they give it a fair read you still have a good chance. The 36 ACT might be what saves you as the avg. is 33. As long as your scores are rising to 4.0-last does your HS rank? That will be important…your gpa will not help rank if they do but I also do not get why you say its less than about 3.5 (still low) but 2.9, 3.7, 4.0 is 3.55 rounds to 3.6 that sounds a lot better that what you said. They may defer you just to see how you do senior year but I doubt you will get out out reject.</p>