**Decision: Accepted! DARTMOUTH '20 WOOT WOOT
Welp. Sorry this is so late. I really owe it to the CC community, though. Thank you for all of your advice and for helping me get into the Ivy of my dreams. Hope it helps future Dartmouth applicants!
[ b]Objective:**
[] SAT I (breakdown): 2400 (800/800/800) —first and only sitting
[] SAT II: 800 Bio M. 790 Math II
[] GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0 unweighted, 4.4 weighted (4.88 gpa Junior year). School doesn’t rank.
[] AP (place score in parentheses): Seven 5s, one 4 (four self studied)
[] Senior Year Course Load: mostly weighted, some easy classes (schedule conflicts)
[] Awards: NMSF. National AP Scholar. Several 1st/2nd/3rd place awards at California State Academic Decathlon Championships. Gavels and other MUN awards. County awards in all extracurriculars.
[/list][ b]Subjective:**
[li] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): [/li]1. Academic Decathlon (Captain, medaled at States, coached the team my junior year when we had no teacher coach)
2. Mock Trial (one side’s lead attorney)
3. School Newspaper (an Editor-in-Chief, paper wins tons of awards, National “1st Place” ranking)
4. Model UN - just a fun side thing I do
5. Moot Court (attorney, won County)
6. Play and teach the piano cuz I’m Asian yo, got a diploma
[] Job/Work Experience: Paid writer producing Academic Decathlon study materials
[] Volunteer/Community service: Peer Tutoring at school, see summer internships, also little things — helping with cat clinics, Model UN Chairing
[li] Summer Activities: Volunteer Internships at (District Attorney/Public Defender’s) Office (10) & State Politician’s Office (11), writing for my job, camping, hanging out with my dog and fam <3[/li]
[li] Essays:[/li]Can’t really rate, but I wrote my best, and reworked extensively until I loved them.
My CommonApp was very reflective and intimate—discussing where I come from and where I hope to go.
I adored my “name” supplement. Explained the significance of my name and how I wouldn’t be the same without it. Ended it with this line (my name’s Lily):
“A lily by any other name would smell as sweet?
No, O Juliet. I think not.”
YASSS literary allusions :3
btw my name’s not actually Lily but it’s another flower.
[] Teacher Recommendations: I adore lots of my teachers, but these two especially.
A super chill Calc teacher —“glowing” rec
And a brilliant social sciences teacher that’s been involved with many of my ECs; emphasized my leadership — “I’ve been waiting to write this letter for years, ran out of room, etc”
[] Counselor Rec: I’ve developed a really close relationship with her. She once said I’m one of the best students in her career, and knows about my leadership, especially in coaching Academic Decathlon. She’s wonderful—really invested in all her students even though she has so many, working at a public school and all.
[] Additional Rec: Can I just say I LOVE that Dartmouth asks for Peer Recs? A few of my best friends are a pair of twins, so I asked them each to write one for me. They’re both super sweet, smart, beautiful people. Promised me beautiful letters!
[] Interview: quite good! A little over an hour. I was nervous and awkward at first, but loosened up soon and got really into it. She said, “You’re a wonderful speaker,” and at the end, “I enjoyed it.” Lovely lady.
[li] Supplementary Material: Nope![/li]
[/list][ b]Other**
[] State (if domestic applicant): Cahliforniah gurls, we’re unforgettable
Country (if international applicant): USA! USA!
[] School Type: competitive, affluent surburban public. smart students. lots of Ivy aspirations, but we mostly get rejected. I’m the only this year to get into an Ivy early O.O
[] Ethnicity: The infinite anti-hook one. I’m proud to be Azn tho
Although, apparently at Dartmouth Asians were “traditionally a minority” and they’ve been increasing their % of Asians gradually over past few years. Although may be due to more Asian applicants so idk
[] Gender: Fe-male. So, I guess, kind of Iron Man? Sorry, I’ll let myself out.
[li] Hooks: None. No legacy but not first generation college student. High stats financially stable Chinese girl from California? Yeah, nope. [/li]
[/list][ b]Reflection**
[] Strengths: Strong academics? Maybe I look too nerdy though. Really dedicated to my extracurriculars, although no major awards or anything to prove it.
[] Weaknesses: No hooks, no outstanding extracurriculars or major awards
[] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I’ve noticed Dartmouth seems to be more open towards people who are well-rounded, both in terms of extracurriculars and their lives in general (hence the peer rec, concerns about
[] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: nowhere! Done with college apps and going to my dream school!
[/list][ b]General Comments: **
I’m so excited to meet my future peers in Hanover! You guys all look so diverse and brilliant and talented, and I’m so honored to join your ranks.
To future applicants, good luck, and I hope you love Dartmouth as much as I do! I’m so excited about trying all these new outdoorsy things I’ve never done before and other social stuff haha
Dartmouth’s truly unique in its LAC-feel among the Ivy League (best undergrad teaching, insanely devoted alumni, smallest & most intimate atmosphere, etc). And if Dartmouth is your #1, don’t hesitate to apply early. It really does give you a huge boost. I can’t wait to see some of you on the Green someday!