Not sure if I am way in over my head but what are honestly my chances of getting in to Dartmouth?
Highschool: 1st in Indiana
GPA: 3.99 (unweighted)
4.4 (weighted)
Class Rank: Top 3% (class size 1230)
ACT:
36 Math
34 English
34 Reading
31 Science
10 writing
SAT II- taking June 6
Chemistry
Math II
AP:
Human Geography (4)
Chemistry (this year)
Psychology (this year)
Microeconomics (this year)
Macroeconomics (this year
Physics I (next year)
Calc AB (next year)
Biology (next year)
IB:
English (exam taken next year)
Visual Arts (exam taken next year)
Dual credit:
Engineering Design
While I haven’t taken most of these exams I have As in all the course and know I can get at least a 4 on all of them.My ACT science is a bit low, so would retaking that be beneficial?
Extracurriculars:
GKOM mentor
National Honor Society
Gold Key at Scholastic
Carmel Arts Council Member
STEM club president
TEDx Club president
Volunteer:
Help out at habitat for Humanity for 100+ hours
I’m planning on writing a stellar essay for my application and am going to spend all summer on it.
What are my chances and what do I need to work on? Oh and I’m a female if that would change anything. Thanks!
Your chances aren’t looking that good. While you’re definitely competitive, your application doesn’t seem to stand from thousands of other applicants. Accepted students often have something that is impressive and less common among students. Your academics are excellent but everything else looks pretty generic. I think you might get in but your chances aren’t better than the acceptance rate
I think you’re a very competitive applicant.
The problem is, for a school like that most very competitive applicants are still rejected.
By all means apply, you have as good a shot as anybody.
You’re ECs are holding you back. However, being a female going into engineering, you may have a leg up in admissions. And btw, Dartmouth is not a good engineering school compared to the other ivies. I highly recommend Cornell. Higher acceptance rate especially for female engineers. They are also a top 10 undergrad engineering school.
You’re definitely not ‘way in over your head’. A 34 ACT is nothing to sneeze at, and 3.99 UW GPA is more than they are looking for, especially since you come from the best high school in your state. I’m not entirely sure where 0br0123 is getting that you want to be an engineer, but in that case, I, personally, would retake the ACT in order to get 34+ science. If not, your composite is more than adequate (34 is at the 75% percentile of admitted students).
However, please note, that, overall, Dartmouth rejects 9 students for every one it takes. Unless you’re a complete “standout”, ANYONE could end up on the reject pile. But also note, that the majority of Dartmouth students are NOT standout. They were talented students in high school, had a good work ethic and probably did some other activities, too. However, like you, have not found the cure to cancer or biked around the world to help the homeless. You have as good a chance as anybody-- probably better. Apply Early Decision, and I’d say you’d have a 30%+ chance (ED acceptance rate is 27%).