How Often is Dartmouth Surprising With Results?

<p>Just kind of curious...how often do they take people that are aren't necessarily super person valedictorians and ultra athletes? I have a 1950 SAT and a 29 ACT, Rank 36 in class of 340, 4.0 GPA W. Great recs and I am really proud of my college essay. I had an interview that went really well as well. I think I have pretty good ECs as well, with lots of music and skiing, not to mention a healthy dose of volunteer work over the summer and a job with lots of hours. Anyways, I know my chances are really slim but I got rejected from Colgate, waitlisted at Hamilton and BC, and accepted at GW. I am just trying to garner up some confidence because even though my chances are slim, Dartmouth is my top choice hands down. Next Thursday cannot come soon enough.</p>

<p>with so few days left you might as well wait instead of doing a chance me thread. Anyway for what it’s worth last years valedictorian at my school got rejected from union college and got into yale.</p>

<p>Thanks man, that ironically does make me feel a little better. And yah I know doing a chance thread is kind of pointless at this point but I just wanted to get an idea of how often flukey situations happen when it comes to acceptances. I didn’t mean for this to be a conventional chance me thread.</p>

<p>Unless you have another hook, like legacy or URM, I can’t see you getting in with those scores…sorry</p>

<p>I’ve not seen it . It would be a true upset if you were accepted.</p>

<p>@cmarmon yah I figured, never thought I had much of a chance, just a little mythed with the way other colleges have been choosing so I guess I just figure that anything can happen. </p>

<p>@cptofthehouse go screw yourself buddy. What do you mean “true upset”? Get your head out of your butt and get rid of your obnoxious ego. You don’t know me so don’t tell me for a second it would be upsetting for me, who works hard, to get in. Arrogant POS</p>

<p>You asked and I answered. I have interviewed for Dartmouth and know the stats for years. My own son had stats close to yours and was denied, and he had an athletic hook. </p>

<p>When I said an “upset” I meant in the sense of a sports upset. With this sort of attitude, I 'd be surprised if you get into any borderline situation. You don’t know who is reading your stuff on this board. I am not a child. Look at my past posts.</p>

<p>oooooooh its going down!!</p>

<p>Why are people so rude? It would be a “true upset”, smh.</p>

<p>also:</p>

<p>Don’t underestimate the power of a great college essay. I think your scores are pretty good and you have as good a shot as anyone at being admitted. Dartmouth is such a dynamic school and I would be surprised if they looked at just scores and “hooks” in admitting their class. Good luck :)</p>

<p>Thanks! I am pretty proud of my essay. I know my chances are slim to none, just kinda curious because ya never know with these schools. It is my favorite! My fingers are crossed! Not sure how much interviews help but I think mine went really well also. </p>

<p>@cptofthehouse I don’t understand your reasoning. I want constructive help not advice telling me it would be an “upset” for Dartmouth for me to be accepted. That makes it sound like I would be a liability to Dartmouth. If those weren’t your intentions then learn to phrase better. And my attitude? You essentially just told me that my acceptance would be a bad thing. Excuse me for defending myself, I don’t care what your age is.</p>

<p>The term is used all of the time. Your acceptance would not be a bad thing other than the type of person you show you are with your response. You asked a question. I answered it directly. It would be a major upset just as it would be if a team unexpected made a playoff. If the analogy escapes you, now you know. </p>

<p>Based on my experience, having seen many Dartmouth applicants, it is highly unlikely for you to be accepted even if your essay were the best ever.</p>

<p>gheffty93…u need to relax…u asked a question and he answered it simple as that…he didnt say it would be upsetting he simply stated his response using a common sports phrase “it would be an upset”…like cptofthehouse stated…if the analogy escapes you, now you know…before u go freaking out on ppl for simply answering ur question understand what ur getting so upset over</p>

<p>Major upset is used in college sports all the time. It’s not something bad to say…I don’t know why you would get defensive tbh. But, I’m not an admissions person, but if I would compare you to some of the other applicants, you would have to show me something to make up for your SAT scores. I’m on the same boat. I wish you well.</p>

<p>Ok I see what you are saying now. But I hope you can understand my frustration. Just a stressful time is all. People can be so rude sometimes and I just was not in te mood for it.</p>

<p>All that said, I am keeping my fingers crossed but expectations low. It is a brilliant place for sure.</p>

<p>These are my stats from the Class of 2016 ED results. Hope they help.</p>

<p>Decision: Accepted</p>

<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): Did not take
ACT: 34
SAT II: US History 760, Chemistry 760, Spanish with Listening 790
Weighted GPA (out of 5.0): 4.28
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 38/218
AP (place score in parenthesis): US History (5) Chemistry (5) Spanish (5) Comparative Government (5) Human Geography (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP US Government, AP Calculus AB, AP Physics C E&M, AP Biology, Honors Human Anatomy, Senior English
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Class President, High School Quiz Competition (Captain), Band (Drum Major, Section Leader, Front of House Manager) Student Council (Whip), School Council, Tennis, Swimming, National Honors Society
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service: Volunteer at local nonprofits
Summer Activities: Fly to mexico every summer
Essays: Really Whiny
Teacher Recommendation: Both very strong
Counselor Rec: Stronger than most people in my school
Additional Rec: Peer rec written by one of my best friends whose sister is D’11
Interview: Yes, went amazing
Other[<em>] State (if domestic applicant): Massachusetts[</em>] Country (if international applicant):[<em>] School Type: Public[</em>] Ethnicity: Hispanic (Mexico)[<em>] Gender: Male[</em>]Income Bracket: $100,000-150,000[<em>] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM
Reflection[</em>] Strengths: Extremely strong recommendations, many positions of leadership, was the center of a local incident that brought positive limelight onto me[<em>] Weaknesses: GPA, lazy freshman and early sophomore year[</em>] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: My recommendations, independent studies, test scores, and interview.[li] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Uhh… this is ED, I dont think thats allowed.[/li]General Comments: This is the greatest day of my life</p>

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<p>So to summarize, yes they can be quite surprising.</p>

<p>Haha yes you have really strong stats. Congrats man it must feel amazing.</p>

<p>I have a classmate that was accepted ED whose stats were good … but not spectacular. A lot like your own. Only catch, she is a nationally-ranked skier … which I know Dartmouth cares a lot about.</p>

<p>Ahh very good point. I ski but i am by no means a nationally ranked one. I did race for a while tho</p>

<p>Strong stats? Not at all. My unweighted GPA is 3.5 which doesn’t even put me close to the top decile. GPA and Class Rank are two of the most important things in your app, and you’re 10x stronger than me at those</p>

<p>Ahh well thanks man I appreciate it. If I’m lucky I will be there to thank you next year.</p>