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Hi I plan on applying to Dartmouth next year either ED ( haven't completely decided on it) or regular decision. I'm just curious as to what you guys think my chances are.

SAT1:
800-Math
670-Verbal
(may retake?)

SAT2:
800-Bio M
780-Math 2C
770-US Hist
(690) Writing

I currently have a 4.6ish GPA,(although my school does not rank) I’m 3rd in my class. I have taken the some of the most rigorous classes my school has to offer. I have received mostly A's with the exception of one B.

My junior year schedule included AP Spanish Lang, AP Lang./Comp., AP Bio, AP US Hist, and Honors PreCalc.

My senior schedule will include AP Lit, AP Econ, AP Physics B, AP Calc AB, AP Govt./Pol., and Honors Latin American Cultures.

Essays:Can't really say because I haven't written any. Hopefully they will be good.

EC:
Nothing extremely special but I have dedicated myself to a few clubs and hope to get some leadership positions senior year for them (Kids Read to Kids, Science Olympiad, Debate, +more). I have played soccer for 12 years but wouldn't get recruited for it, I just play for fun. In addition I have had a few interesting jobs including (research and marketing) for a software company that builds vocabulary software for many different purposes. I'm probably forgetting something else here but this is all I can think of right now.

ohh and I'm a legacy


Thanks!!! :P

By Taurustorus (Taurustorus) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 03:59 pm: Edit

i'd say you have a good chance. your scores are excellent (except for verbal/writing but meh) and it does seem like you're taking the most rigorous curriculum.

have you been involved in your EC's for a long time? (i ask b/c there seems to be a lack of leadership positions, albeit you did say you might get some next year) do you plan on debating in college? (if policy, i dunno if dartmouth has other teams). i dunno, there doesn't seem to be anything extraordinary with your EC's, but keep thinking about them and emphasize what you're passionate about. applying ED can't hurt, i'd say.

By Lahlahlah (Lahlahlah) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 04:49 pm: Edit

Most of them have been 3-4 year commitments (including Sr. year). I'm not really a competetive debater so I don't think I'd get recruited for it. In addition, I may help volunteer at a senior center teaching computers as well as sponsor a book drive at the beginning senior year.

Do you think Dartmouth will extremely care that much about my leadership positions despite my other stats? I read in A is for Admission that Dartmouth puts 70-85% of the emphasis on the application on academics. According to Dartmouth's AI system a person not leading but involved gets a 4 if they show dedication. A person who is a president of many clubs / school etc. gets a 5. And then 6+ is pretty extreme, MVP at sport, Almost-Pro muscician Etc. Knowing this (found in A is for Admission) it would seem realistic that most people would be in the 4-5 range, with few above or way below this mark.

By Taurustorus (Taurustorus) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 05:21 pm: Edit

it's not so much that they'd extremely care, it's just that with all ivies, admission is a crapshoot so you're never completely safe. as i've said, your academics is very nice, but realize that it's not off the charts and there will probably be three other candidates with GPA and test scores as excellent as yours. the role of leaderships, essays, and other hooks is to set you apart from those three other candidates. what might comfort you though is i read somewhere in this forum that kids with the best admission chances to dartmouth are first AA, then followed by kids w/ legacy (you).

By Lahlahlah (Lahlahlah) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 01:47 am: Edit

Thanks!!! I'll try to get some more leadership positions.

By Gustav (Gustav) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 08:41 pm: Edit

I'd say you have a decent chance and I'll tell you that *in real time* as soon as I get a chance! Early decision I believe doubles your chances so already from 18% to 36%, plus legacy will probably give you greater than 40% by the numbers alone. When your test scores are factored in along with your course load, you'll probably be an academic 7ish, which will probably bring your chances way up again, even with not so many ECs.

By Lahlahlah (Lahlahlah) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 08:57 pm: Edit

Do any of you think retaking the SAT I or SAT II writing is all that important or should I just stick with what I got?

By Taurustorus (Taurustorus) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 09:01 pm: Edit

what you have is already nice as it is. you can retake the writing one if you want to but killing a whole saturday to try to improve an already solid SAT I score (and your GPA and EC's and legacy and ED will only help) is not worth it if i were you.

By Lahlahlah (Lahlahlah) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 09:12 pm: Edit

ya thats what I was thinking, hopefully i can convince my parents now

By Drownindreams (Drownindreams) on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 05:21 am: Edit

Science Olympiad = YOU ROCK!

I was on the infamous Troy High School SO team--the only blonde. I'm going to Dartmouth BOOYAH! So you have to apply ;D

By Lahlahlah (Lahlahlah) on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 01:43 am: Edit

Lol ya, go sci O