Should I even bother applying ED or Reg? (Legacy)

Let me begin this post by saying I know I am far less qualified than the majority of the applicants and I know my chances are slim but I would appreciate it if you would give me your honest opinion on what my chances would be at Dartmouth ED where my father is an alum. Thanks!

GPA: 3.71… weighted (this is obviously my greatest flaw, very unmotivated student early in highschool )
SAT I: 2060 single, 2080 super
ACT: 33 E:35 M:35 R: 32 S:31 W:32
SAT II: USH: 710 Math II: 700 (going to retake Math 2 and hopefully score higher)
PSAT: 207

9th grade:0 AP/honors somewhere around a 3.5 gpa
10th: 2 honors, 1 AP probably more like a 3.7
11th: 3 AP 4.1 gpa
12th: 6 AP 1 honor hopefully 4.2+

EC:
President/Founder of Student Managed investment fund (we invest real money from my schools endowment into the stock market)
Teen Board (Officer) at a community center called Wesley Rankin
Teen Board (member) Ronald McDonald House
NHS member
Member of Junior Classical League
Participant in UT Dallas top trader comp this summer and last summer, finished top 10 last summer
Last Summer worked at a Veterinarian’s office, 6 hrs a day, 4 days a week, 8 weeks over the summer
Went to TCU for a week to participate in an investor challenge(for more info search tcu investor challenge)
Internship at private equity firm
President Volunteer service award all 3 years (300 hours total now)
Honor Roll all years
Varsity Golf in 11th, likely 12th, JV 10th
JV Crew 9th Grade
Member of World Affairs Club 9th, 10th
Member of Environmental Awareness Club 9th
Summer after Freshmen year took a service trip to New Orleans to help rebuild the wetlands through and organization called Student Shoulder to Shoulder

Teacher Recs
(10/10)- saw me progress from a B student in 9th grade to and A+ student 11th grade in her class
(10/10)- best student in the class and she’s my advisor, really likes me
Guidance Counselor Rec- not too sure but I don’t see why it would be any lower than (8/10)

My Essays should be pretty good

So I guess my main question is should I waste my ED on a school that is so far from my grasp? Or should I use ED on something a little more plausible like wake forest or emory (don’t get me wrong, both great schools) and then try and transfer into dartmouth after a year at one of those colleges, presumably getting all A’s. And if I did do the latter do you think I would have a fairly good shot at getting in with more grades under my belt? Thanks!

How involved has your dad been? Is he a big donor? Honestly, if you were my son I would not want you to waste your ED card on Dartmouth because it looks like too big of a stretch grade-wise unless your dad were on the board or otherwise very influential at Dartmouth. I’d encourage you to use the ED on Wake, then Emory ED2 if Wake didn’t work out.

Does your school use Naviance? How do you look for all 3 of the schools you mentioned?

I have heard that legacy at highly competitive schools is never a bump (overcoming a weakness in your app compared to the qualified candidates for that school). It is more of a tip, making sure your file is completely read and considered.

It seems like you have a very good grasp on the situation

Don’t even think about applying elsewhere with the idea of transferring to Dartmouth. It is very difficult, more so than regular admissions.

This sounds like good advice to me, assuming that A) you really like Wake and prefer it to Emory, and B) you do not need FA, either need or merit. Discuss this with your parents first, and ask them to run the NPC at Wake and Emory with you, using real figures.

I don’t have a good sense of how your stats stack up at those schools. If you are certain that you don’t need the ED bump there, you could take a flyer on D if you really love it. There are positive things about your application: an upward trend, well-developed interests, sounds like good recs, etc. Your test scores are in the range at D.

One thing I would strongly recommend to you is that you get one, or possibly two–but no more–additional recs from people you have worked with outside of academics: an employer, a supervisor at your intership, an advisor in one of your other investing activities.

Uhm I think you have a great shot at getting in. I currently go to Dartmouth and my stats weren’t as good as yours, plus you’re a legacy. If you love Dartmouth then apply ED. And many people screw up their freshman year of high school. Just make sure you really sell yourself in your essays and make sure that the peer recommendation is amazing as well.

upward trend is always good, but still a stretch for D.

I would not recommend ED to Wake or Emory since I think you have a excellent shot at both RD, in particular Wake. Just do a good job with the supplemental essay.

Nah man, don’t listen to these GDIs. Was your dad a fraternity man? If so you’re even more garunteed then you already are. Go for the ED at Dartmouth.

I would definitely ED to Dartmouth. You have a great shot… 9th grade grades are not going to be the pivotal factor. It also appears you are from Texas where they likely have less applicants.