<p>49.8% of the 2,190 accepted applications to Dartmouth were ranked either #1 or #2. ([Dartmouth</a> News - From its largest pool of applicants for undergraduate admissions to date, Dartmouth invites 2,190 to join the Class of 2012- 03/31/08](<a href=“http://www.dartmouth.edu/~news/releases/2008/03/31.html]Dartmouth”>http://www.dartmouth.edu/~news/releases/2008/03/31.html)) When you factor this along with top hs admits (who probably would’ve been at the top of their class at any other school), legacies, recruited athletes, and those with a hook (who all tend to bring the averages down), it seems as though there’s no room for those who are just good students.
Even though I’m definitely not number 1 or 2 (they have a 98+ in every subject), I am at the top of my class–probably the top 3-4% (my school is only competitive at the top; if I decided to take easy classes, school would be a breeze). Should I aim lower in my college choices?</p>
<p>not val or salut here. top 10%. Got in with a likely. Probably what got me in was high SAT 2350, ACT 35 and tons of leadership. Everyone is different. Everyone has a shot. No one knows why or who will be admitted. Shoot for the stars and keep taking tough classes! Good luck!</p>
<p>My school doesn’t rank, but I believe I am in the top 2-3% but am definitely not val/salut. I don’t have a particular hook but am really solid across the board and am very well-rounded. You have nothing to lose in applying, but definitely take hard classes and apply to other, more reasonable schools.</p>
<p>I am also not in the top 2… I am in the top 10% with ok test scores. I also got a likely.</p>
<p>My school doesn’t rank, but I was in the top 10%. I do however have a 4.0 UW. I got a LL.</p>
<p>I’m not Val, Salu. I’m in the top 5% however. Also, mediocre SAT 2180, ACT 34. And, competitive IL high school, not URM. Miracles do happen.</p>
<p>My slight hook was that I’m an immigrant from Sri Lanka who came to the U.S. in 1999.</p>
<p>I’m ranked 31/491 (semi-competitive public hs in Texas) and was admitted Regular Decision. I think the biggest factors in my favor were my standardized test scores (2280SAT and 34ACT), ECs (Eagle Scout, Debate Team President, and All-State Choir), and the fact that I had a GREAT interview. One of the guys there was also an Eagle Scout so we chatted for a while about the outdoorsy nature of Dartmouth and other stuff like that. Also, I had done my research on the school and asked some insightful questions about things that I wanted an alum perspective on (e.g. the D plan).</p>
<p>What debate team are you from/ school?</p>
<p>Wwoody123 I’m an Eagle Scout too haha, I’m also top 4% and i don’t have even close to a 4.0, but i carried my weight in ECs and with my essays and reccs</p>
<p>I’m also an Eagle Scout!</p>
<p>Strawboy, I got to Grapevine High School in Texas.</p>
<p>Alright cool :)</p>
<p>Dartmouth is more outdoorsy than the other ivies, so I can see how they can appreciate Eagles 
Just got my silver palm before turning 18 but I still go to meetings when I can.</p>
<p>Sounds cool. Thought it was Greenhill or Plano.</p>
<p>Nah, although I know many debaters from both teams there. Where are you from if I may ask?</p>
<p>Top 2% here. I actually rank third over all. I made a few notable achievements, and my mother is a graduate from Dartmouth as well. I highly suggest improvement on the SATs since those were definitely my golden tickets in.</p>
<p>Top 10 percent (meaning, at my school 95 gpa or higher). Yeah, I think my SAT (2360) got me in, as well as, maybe my Model UN awards. I can’t really think of anything else that spectacular about me.</p>
<p>unfortunately, it doesn’t matter what school you come from. Some schools are harder than others, but being the top definately helps. If i wasn’t val i wouldn’t be going to college because i bombed the SATs</p>
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<p>Everything’s relative. Numbers, please.</p>
<p>A top 3-4% rank is absolutely no reason to aim lower in your college choices. I’m pretty sure the other 50% of admits were all not athletes, legacies or those with hooks.
I’m one of those 2190 admits and by my estimation im barely in the top 10% of my hs. As lots of people have already said, high SAT’s definitely help.
Also, make sure you pick a friend/family member who knows you really well to write your peer recommendation. And DONT ASK THEM TO READ IT. The adcoms know your friend’s not going to write a sonnet about how much they love you so don’t fret about what they’ve written as long as they’ve been honest.</p>
<p>I’m not a val/sal (although i did get 2400… so i don;t know if i count)</p>
<p>I’m a completely nonspectacular student (academic-wise) who got in. top 10%. Seriously, you do not have to be superhuman! And to top it off, my peer recommender forgot to write a rec, so I didn’t even have one. Good luck! (…I won’t be attending Dartmouth.)</p>