Hello, I would love to get some suggestion as I am planning to apply to Dartmouth College in the early decision round. How are my chances and anything that would help me make my application better? Here are my stats:
SAT: 1330
GPA: 3.69/4 (Unweighted)
Our courses are different from the US system. But are rigorous.
Class rank: 1/90 ( The admission to my high-school is so competitive with around 1500 applicants for 90 seats.) High-school is among the top schools in the country.
Extra-curriculars and achievements:
International Maths Olympiad (didn’t win medals or HM) but got to represent the country at the international level. I had the highest point in my country.
International Regional Conference by ILO - got selected to represent as a student representative and reporter.
Radio Jockey: I was a radio program host since 11. In later years, I got promoted to program coordinator on the radio.
School Child clubs’ president for more than 2 years. Brought reforms in school, conducted children run a national regional competition through the clubs. Awarded ‘Coordinative student’ for the contribution.
Debate and Eloquence - prizes in regional level
Poem competition - top 10 in the regional level
Student Council - President. Acted as a bridge between students and school administration.
I also have a research mathematical model published independently.
Anticipated majors: Physics and Mathematics
There’s more but I am adding this much for now.
I am an international student who will be requiring financial aid meeting almost full cost.
Recommendations and Essays: They are going to be pretty solid. I hope.
It’s 730 I gave it in May. I will be giving the SAT again in October.
Also, I play cricket and got ‘best player award’ for it.
Because I love the focus they give on undergraduate education. Also, they are focused on liberal arts education, so I can take various classes even though I major in a specific field. This will help me grow better as a person too. And, I love the location of the college, a college where I can learn, play and study being in vicinity with nature. Specifically, I love carrying out research and as the community is small, I think it will be great in doing research projects collaborating with the professors.
You need to raise your SAT score. Relative was a multiple legacy (grandfather, father and two siblings). Graduated from a competitive high school with a superior GPA, and SAT score in the high 1400’s…very close to 1500. Applied ED, and was not even deferred…was rejected.
There are tons of colleges that “are focused on liberal arts education” where you can take various courses. There are also lots of other colleges in northern New England.
I’m not an adcom, so certainly you can try ED…but I think it’s a longshot with your current SAT score.
Also, IIRC, Dartmouth is need aware for admissions…so your ability to pay will be considered when your application for admission is reviewed.
So, if I raise my SAT score to around 1450+, how is the chance? I think I will be getting the predicted score.
Also, what colleges or universities do you recommend to look for ED?
None. You are an international student with significant financial aid needs. You would be better off applying regular decision so you have the ability to compare multiple offers…net costs.
Also, you should be looking at affordable options in your country.
If you get in ED but can’t pay, you don’t have to go. Plus, the chances of getting in ED are much higher so you should apply somewhere ED. From what I see of your ECs your, you are a strong applicant, but of course, you will need to boost your SAT score, and given you are international you really need to take SAT subject tests as well to have a good chance at elite schools.
Also, when you apply, show in your essays and interviews that your intended major is math. You can say you are interested in physics as well, but your ECs show a good math spike but not the same focus on physics, so make clear that math is your main interest.
However, I agree with previous answers that your high need will hurt your chances at Dartmouth given it is need-aware. But if you are really into the school you should consider taking a shot, as its financial aid program is likely to cover you if you are admitted given its high caliber. Alternatively, Amherst college is a fine school with a strong undergrad focus and high liberal arts college ranking (always top 5 if not top 3). It is need-blind for internationals, and its SAT sore range is a bit lower than Dart’s which may give you the boost you need to get in (provided you get the score you predicted). SAT subject tests are still a must, though, if you truly want a shot at an elite US uni as an international.
Aim for an SAT score above 1500 but even then, your chances of admission are very low as an international student requiring financial aid. I would recommend reading through the international student forum.
No, English is not the first language. However, the language of study is in English. Also, the TOEFL score is great if there is a need for English proficiency.
@theflasho I disagree with the person who recommended Grinnell as a top option. Your stats, SAT score and lack of subject tests aside, are sufficient to apply to elite colleges. Just fill those in and you would be a strong candidate for Dartmouth as an ed option-- but perhaps even more so for Amherst as your ed given they are need-blind and have a bit lower sat score range. See my earlier comment for further context. BTW I am a '23 at Dartmouth so I am able to discuss how to get in on a deeper level, so if you have any questions don’t hesitate to message me.
@Gogreen19: OP’s SAT score is just 1330 which is well below Dartmouth’s 25%. Even though OP attends a school in which English is the instructional language, @theflasho’s SAT score in English was just 600.
Additionally, OP is an international student in need of full financial aid at a need aware school.
Grinnell College in Iowa is an outstanding school which offers significant financial aid to international applicants who are accepted.
OP should not waste his ED option at Dartmouth College as he is unlikely to be admitted.
@Publisher did you not see that the OP expected to get a 1450+ on his SAT in his retake? That would put him in the range. I do agree that he has a lower chance as he is international and needs aid, but he has multiple other accomplishments that give him a boost. I think that with that SAT score, he can shoot for Dartmouth if that’s his dream school (provided he also takes 2 subject tests), but if he wants to be more prudent and give himself a better chance at a top school ED, I think Amherst, being need-blind and having a lower SAT score range, as I’ve mentioned before, would be better. Grinnell is a good school and a strong RD option, but this candidate clearly wants to aim for a top tier option, hence my recommendation for ED.
@Gogreen19 : “Expected scores” are not real scores. If the OP retakes the SAT & raises his score from 1330 to 1450, then another discussion would be warranted. Until then, Dartmouth College is out-of-reach for this international applicant in need of full financial aid. (Simple exercise in reality versus fantasy.)
Be careful with your characterizations, @Gogreen19, lest you come across as insecure, underinformed, competitive or arrogant. Many are the Grinnell students who could get into Dartmouth but seek a very different environment. And without question the reverse is true as well.
Plus this applicant will be considered along with others from his region when he applies. He does not say where he lives, but if it’s a place with a lot of other highly competitive applicants…and especially ones who don’t need full funding…he might not reach the bar for admission at a need aware school even with a 1450 SAT.
I agree that even with a 1450 his chances are slim and he would be wasting his ED.
I don’t see anything he is saying about Dartmouth that wouldn’t apply to many fine LAC’s except that it’s an Ivy.