is it worth my one shot at ED?

10mwil
Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:30:24 +0000

I don’t want to waste my chances at another school…
I suppose this is a “chance me” thread but I’m trying to be realistic here and not obnoxious and naive. I know that Dartmouth is definitely not an easy shot for me. I am just wondering if, in your opinions, it is too much of a reach.

I guess I’ll start off my saying that I am a girl from Ohio. I attend a small, private school that is quite competitive and known for grade deflation. We offer seven AP classes total.
I will have taken a total of six APs when I graduate. I would have taken all seven but we are only allowed to take a three a year because they are so difficult.
Freshmen GPA–3.33
Sophomore GPA–3.33
Junior GPA–4.182 (one of the best junior year GPAs in my class.)
Senior GPA–around 4.2 for midterm grades

National Merit Semi-Finalist for PSAT
Recipient of school’s History Prize as a Junior; usually awarded to a Senior

SAT–just took it today. I’m guessing this is a crucial piece of information I do know that to be competitive for Dartmouth, my average would have to be above 700. So no need to give me a reality check on that one.
SATIIs–770 US History, 700 Math I (probably retaking Math)
APs–5 English Language, 5 US History, 4 Env. Science
Current APs–Calc, English Literature, Biology

Leadership/Activities, etc.
Model UN – 10, 11, 12 Founding Member of School’s Team
Awards: Highest Honors—International Court of Justice Mid-American Regional
Model United Nations Conference, March 2009 (Highest Honors awarded to only 49 out of more than 500 participants).
History Club—11, 12 President and Founder
Explores aspects of History through enriching activities; leads the school-wide History tutoring program.
“Under The Sink”–10, 11, 12: Online publication; started a website with a friend that allows all school club leaders to post their events and club descriptions on the events calendar; each club gets their own profile. Moderator/Founder/Head Editor
Student Ambassador (admissions office volunteer) – 9, 10, 11, 12
Upper School Curriculum Committee – 11, 12 (only two students chosen to participate in grades 11 & 12)
Politically Active Student Association/Republican Club—9, 10, 11, 12: President/Founding member
Literary Magazine—9, 10, 11,12 : Head Editor
School newspaper: Maverick—9, 10, 11, 12: Features Editor grades 10 and 12
Quizbowl–12 Just became a new member! So excited to be part of a team, haha.

Lots of community service…no need to list it out for you.

Internships–these are a very important part of my application, in my opinion.
Internship in the Office of Michelle Rhee, Chancellor DC Public Schools, – 11, returning 12
Junior Year: Initiated and made all arrangements to work in the Washington, D.C. in the Office of the Chancellor of Washington, D.C. Public Schools. Specific areas of interest: School closings, community involvement, labor relations

Research Internship with local university Education Professor—summer 2009. Participant-observer in a program that trains graduate students in the context of community organizing and outreach in an impoverished local neighborhood; arranged several meetings and events within the community and became familiar with multiple qualitative research methods, formed working relationships with community organizers. Research Report in preparation with the hope of submission for publication.

I think my teacher recs will speak to my exceptional performance in History and English and my significant contributions to discussion, debate, etc. My peer rec will hopefully also be superlative.
I’m currently working on my Common App essay. My biggest strength is English (particularly writing), so I know if I work hard on it it will be a major asset to my application.

Also, I know none of these are hooks, but I MAY be able to pay full tuition. Still have to check on that. I am not exactly a legacy, but I do have three family members who have attended Dartmouth (yeah…doesn’t add up to much, believe me, I know). I may also be able to get a letter of support from a Dartmouth professor.

I’m sorry this is so long. I’m just trying to sort all of this out…Dartmouth has been my top choice for six years. A lot of people are discouraging me from applying and say it would be a waste of my ED option. I don’t want to give up on my dream. My worst fear is to regret not applying to the school I want to go to the most. So be realistic but break any bad news gently, haha :D