(Not the perfect student) Ability to get in?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>First and foremost, my education information;</p>

<hr>

<p>Graduation Year - 2014
SAT(CR+M) - 1250
SAT(CR+M+W) - 1880
Class Rank - School does not distribute class ranks
GPA(unweighted 4.0 scale) - 3.2
GPA(weighted 5.0 scale) - 3.8</p>

<p>Taking the SAT Subject Tests Math level II and Physics in November
Retaking the SAT(CR+M+W) in December with hopes of 2000+</p>

<p>Dual Academy completer; PLTW Engineering and Academy of Information Technology
Total of 10 AP tests will be completed by the time I graduate, so far my scores are:
AP Calculus - 4
AP Language & Composition - 4
AP Physics AB - 4
AP US History - 3
AP US Government - 3</p>

<h2>AP World History - 3</h2>

<p>I am first-generation college bound in my family, and Dartmouth has caught my eye not only for their size, location, and their way of looking at applicants as a whole, but also because of their financial aide statement. I come from a family that does not make a lot of money, even after tax alterations/exemptions/deductions/etc. We fall well within the "Under $100,000 annual income with standard assets," and seeing that a large portion of my college education cost could be covered really grabbed my attention.</p>

<p>Personally I am interested in Engineering Technology; specifically I am hopping around taking a small taste of Mechanical, Electrical, and Aerospace (the last being my favorite of the three). I'd like to get my undergraduate at Dartmouth with hopes of then transferring for a graduate degree.</p>

<p>As a person, I see myself as helpful and willing to go out and make new friends. I can't really give a life story here, but from what I have heard, who you are as a person will greatly influence your ability to get in. It is nice to know they don't just look at numbers here. The Alumni interview and peer-recommendation are things I look forward to sending; compared to many colleges that only want your academics.</p>

<p>My worry is that my grades and scores, as they are now, are not so hot compared to the many Ivy League bound 34+ ACT 1600 SAT, etc applicants. I know there is not a cutoff, but I still feel uneasy about my chances and whether or not I can accommodate for those scores with my personality. I'd like to hear from previous applicants, alumni, and anyone who has had experience with Dartmouth, and anyone who has attended for engineering for that matter.</p>

<p>Do I have a chance?
COULD I get in based on who I am as a person, even if the numbers are lower than most?
What is engineering like at Dartmouth?
Any general advice when looking at reach schools?</p>

<p>And as a last note, I am applying, there is no hurt in trying! I'd just like to know what my chances are/could be. I still have time, as I've mentioned, to raise my SAT scores. If you need any additional information I will happily oblige to list it.</p>

2

<p>I would say that your chances are very, very slim. You simply don’t have the stats. Sorry.</p>

<p>I think there are many other schools that would be a much better fit for you.</p>

3

<p>I think I’m not a right person to answer to your question, but let me try.</p>

<p>Aerospace, Electrical and Mechanical are different majors and you should FIRST choose your interested field, and then try to find a school which could be a good fit for you.</p>

<p>Honestly, with the scores that you mentioned, I don’t see any chances of getting admission at Dartmouth.</p>

<p>However, if you really want to come to Dartmouth you may apply as a transfer student:
[Admissions</a> Statistics](<a href=“http://www.dartmouth.edu/admissions/facts/admissions.html]Admissions”>http://www.dartmouth.edu/admissions/facts/admissions.html)</p>

4

<p>You’re done, son</p>

5

<p>^^ Harsh. But, I can’t disagree with Consolation. SAT/AP/GPA are just not there. You would need something spectacular in a non-academic venue to balance those – and even then it would be doubtful. I think the best advice is to look elsewhere.</p>

6

<p>Your chances are extremely low. Look into other schools strong in engineering/aerospace like Embry-Riddle. Also, if finances is your main reason, I would strongly consider applying to your in-state public school. Best of luck.</p>

7

<p>JimmyAtParadise, I got in as a transfer (obviously, by my older posts). Most kids I know had statistics that were HYP level coming out of high school, and either didn’t get in their first time around or just chose not to go to Dartmouth or got into another top school and chose to transfer here. So…transferring here is not a back door. And the acceptance rate next year for transfers is going to be very, very low…</p>

<p>But back to the original thing, general rule of thumb - if you have to explain yourself that much, your stats probably aren’t strong enough to stand out by their own. which isn’t good enough in this case. Sorry.</p>

8

<p>UC Berkeley is one of the top schools in the world for Engineering, Mathematics and Fundamental Science. You may simply apply to a California Community College or California State University and then transfer to UC Berkeley. I put the link here:
[University</a> of California](<a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu%5DUniversity”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu)</p>

<p>[Transfer</a> | UC Admissions](<a href=“http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/transfer/index.html]Transfer”>http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/transfer/index.html)</p>

9

<p>For what it’s worth, Dartmouth admissions does take into account the fact that you will be the first of your family to go to college. It actually helps you in terms of lower scores/grades because they understand you may not have had access to all the prep/planning/etc., even encouragement to do well in school. </p>

<p>I definitely wouldn’t say that you have a great shot, but it is not out of the realm of possibility, especially if you show that you can be an outstanding “community member”. Dartmouth is not just looking for the academic portion of a person’s application - they are also looking for who will contribute to the community as a whole and who they would want at the school in terms of personalities and other “intangibles”. </p>

<p>I would put Dartmouth as a high reach for you, but don’t give up on the application just because your scores are low. Find teachers to write glowing recommendations (not just ones that say you are a great student, but ones that know you as a person and any hardships you have overcome or any particularly interesting strengths you have exhibited in the classroom or school community). Do an interview - those don’t usually do anything but restate what the admissions committee can already see, but they can also tip the scales for or against you in a decision between you and another candidate. </p>

<p>Also, I know it is too late at this point for you, but for anyone else in the future, applying Early Decision lets the admissions committee know you are serious about coming to Dartmouth. It can help you stand out a bit among just 4-5k applications instead of tens of thousands. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

10

<p>I agree fully with Roonilywaz. Make sure you have some schools that you can afford and are sure things for you and also have the academics that you need to get where you want. With such school on your list, you can “buy lottery tickets” to any schools with impunity. </p>

<p>An issue with Dartmouth, is that it is a small school, and its engineering dept is very small too, which doesn’t allow for a lot of flex after they accept their legacy, development, athlete and other specially flagged applicants.</p>