Sam didn’t begin her college search with the Ivy League in mind. She was looking for a close-knit community where she could pursue her dream of becoming a doctor, but wasn’t sure top schools were within reach. Through personalized guidance and a stronger application strategy, Sam discovered just how competitive she could be and earned admission to Dartmouth College.
Dartmouth College
College Counselor
Sam had it all: strong grades, outstanding test scores, and a great story. What stood out most were her lived experiences, and those became the foundation for the narrative we built together.
Location: Illinois
GPA/Class Rank:
Test Score: ACT - 36
Major: Biochemistry
President, Healthcare Club
Neuroscience Research Program
Hospital Volunteer
Varsity Track & Field
When Sam first started thinking about college, she wasn’t aiming for the Ivy League. Coming from a small high school in Illinois, she was looking for a close-knit community where she could pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. She focused her search on colleges with acceptance rates around 40-50 percent, believing they were the most realistic options. At the same time, she was concerned about affordability and unsure whether her extracurriculars were strong enough to compete at more selective institutions.
When Sam began working with HelloCollege, everything shifted. After reviewing her academic record, test scores, and goals, counselor Raymond Gonzales saw an applicant who could be competitive at some of the most selective colleges in the country.
Together, they expanded her search to elite universities and small colleges that matched the close-knit campus environment she was looking for. For the first time, schools like Dartmouth felt like realistic matches rather than long shots.
Sam knew she wanted to pursue medicine, but she felt her extracurricular involvement needed a boost. During an early meeting, Raymond curated a list of summer programs aligned with her interests in science and healthcare.
Through that list, Sam discovered a free online research program, which gave her the opportunity to conduct research and write her first scientific paper, adding a significant academic achievement to her application.
At the same time, HelloCollege tutoring helped Sam raise her ACT score from a 34 to a perfect 36.
Sam earned admission to Dartmouth College through Early Decision, where she plans to study Biochemistry and Anthropology.
Looking back, she says the outcome was beyond anything she could have imagined when she first started her college search.
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