I am currently a high school senior at a well-known private school in Florida. I am having some trouble deciding where I want to send my ED/REA app. I’m between Dartmouth and Notre Dame right now. I fell in love with Dartmouth when I toured it last fall. Hanover was beautiful and everyone was so friendly. I have not been to Notre Dame, but every interaction that I’ve had with a student/alum/admissions officer has been great. I love the intimacy of a small school like Dartmouth but I also love the sports culture at Notre Dame.
I want to major in biology and possibly minor in political science. I also would like to do pre-med. I don’t really have any science-y ECs because I didn’t really know what I wanted to do until a few months ago, but my senior year courses are math/science heavy
I’d like to know my chances at getting into either one. Any feedback would be great. Here are my stats and info:
-1520 SAT; 770 verbal, 750 math
-3.83 GPA weighted, 5.25 unweighted
-will have 10 AP classes by the time I graduate
National merit semi finalist
4 years varsity soccer (captain 1 year); 5 years club soccer but I stopped after sophomore year
3 years model UN (vice president 2 years); 2 awards (one national, one local)
I volunteer to play sports with disabled kids every weekend in my community
How do you feel about going to a catholic college? ND has theology and philosophy requirements and students really don’t start delving into their majors until sophomore year. I’d encourage you to look at both schools’ plan of studies for your major, read their newspapers, and see what resonates more. These are very different schools.
I am catholic but religion isnt a huge part of my life. I appreciate NDs requirements because i’d like to explore various areas of study. both schools have pretty solid pre med advising. Ugh both schools seem amazing and I could definitely see myself at either.
@cucumbers1234 - Look at each school’s ED/REA admission rates. My strategy would be to use the ED/REA for the one that is either a) harder to get into or b) fills more of the class with these applicants. It is hard to tell if one school will feel “slighted” if you choose to apply RD. By choosing ED/REA, most students are saying, “you are my #1 choice and I will come to your school if you admit me.” If you really can’t say which one is first, then go with my strategy.
Both schools are selective, Dartmouth more so at 8.8%. Notre Dame admitted roughly 44% of its latest class through Early Action, Dartmouth was about 29% of its class. I realize it may be a callous way to look at it, but I would say that ED at Notre Dame is your better move.
It is too bad a school visit isn’t really possible with COVID. Notre Dame exudes community. It has been an outstanding experience for my son so far. He is now a junior. He plays saxophone in the marching band. He is not a huge sports fan, but loves being part of the band at football and hockey games. The band is a fun group to be a part of, so keep that in mind even though you aren’t planning to continue an instrument at this point.
@cucumbers1234 Dartmouth’s class size is half the size of Notre Dame’s (~1000 vs. 2000,) so keep that in mind.
I can’t speak to Dartmouth or Notre Dame in particular as I did not apply, or choosing REA vs. ED because I applied ED to Brown (where I’m going after being deferred and accepted RD,) but even for schools like the Ivies that don’t consider at demonstrated interest on paper, applying ED > RD (or even REA, as it’s basically EA but limits what other schools you can apply to, so a small boost but not as much as ED) as if you get in, you HAVE to go (unless you can’t for financial reasons, though this is a worst-case scenario,) and the college is more likely to accept you because you have a more prepared application than the student applying right before the deadline.
I would suggest creating a pros and cons list between the two schools (prestige or brand name is not a pro; but strong advising programs, access to medical schools/clinical experiences at Dartmouth’s med school if pre-med, strong alumni network or school sponsored internships are) to help you decide. Both of the schools also have very different curricular ideologies, as Dartmouth’s D-Plan gives students a lot of freedom when it comes to choosing when and what you want to do for each quarter of the year (study abroad, work, school etc.) Dartmouth’s campus is also located in a VERY different climate than Indiana, so take that into consideration.
If you do decide to apply ED to Dartmouth, only do so if ALL of the following are true:
You LOVE Dartmouth and would 110% attend if admitted.
You're confident you can present a well thought out and crafted application by the ED deadline of November 1st.
You and your family can afford Dartmouth if admitted (run the financial aid calculators if applicable.)
@cucumbers1234 You should probably post this question in the Dartmouth thread on CC as well to get people familiar with the admissions process there to weigh in.
