Zaidan Amiji, Dartmouth College

By focusing on his interest in the environment and the sport of rowing, Zaidan received a coveted Early Decision acceptance to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. The British American, who grew up in Dubai and now lives in London, shares how he got to this point. 

IO: Congratulations on your ED acceptance to Dartmouth College! What was it like getting the news, and how are you feeling? 

Zaidan: Quite surreal and happy! My dread on decision day was awful, but I tried to stay calm and keep busy; I rowed with my team for three hours. When I opened the decision, my grandparents in New Jersey were on FaceTime with me. This was awesome because part of my motivation for pursuing an American education was to be closer to them.

I recently received the actual Dartmouth welcome package in the mail–what a relief! Before that, it didn’t seem real.

IO: What are you most looking forward to at Dartmouth?

Zaidan: I can’t wait to immerse myself in the outdoor traditions and environment of Hanover, New Hampshire, which is rural but not far from Boston and New York. I experienced the campus firsthand during a summer rowing camp in 2023. I’m hoping to walk on to the Dartmouth Rowing Team. 

Of course the university’s academic offerings are outstanding. I’m thinking of majoring in Earth Sciences or Chemistry with a minor in Materials Science. 

IO: Did you know from the beginning that you wanted to apply to Dartmouth ED, or was it a process? 

Zaidan: It was a school that had always been on my radar, but became my top choice after speaking with current students and the rowing team. Also, as an international student, attending virtual events was really helpful in getting a feel for the campus. But Dartmouth only became a real possibility after I achieved a score of over 1500 on my fourth SAT in September. This success was the result of months of dedicated effort, and it opened doors to schools that I never thought I had a chance of getting into. 

IO: When you started the application process, did you feel you had any challenges that you needed to overcome?

Zaidan: My primary challenge was my dyscalculia, a kind of math dyslexia. This meant I had to work harder in my A-levels in Maths, Chemistry and Geography as well as my SAT testing. 

IO: What do you think helped you stand out from other applicants? 

Zaidan: I feel that I conveyed a complete story focused on my two passions: environmental science and rowing. I’ve been involved in rowing as a coxswain since moving to London at 14. In 2023, my school’s J16 four-man boat and I were selected to represent the UK in the annual competition against France. 

I also spent a lot of time getting to know Dartmouth and really understanding how its environment was the best one for me. It’s so important to invest time in finding your fit for a school and vice versa. I redrafted my “Why Dartmouth essay” multiple times until I felt a reader could “see” how much of a connection I felt for the school. 

As for my interest in environmental science, I completed a marine engineering internship and published research in an academic journal on wetland policy/ecology. I think my early and sustained involvement for over ten years in Boy Scouts, where I ultimately earned my Eagle Scout rank, also made my application quite genuine. 

IO: When did you start on your Common App and other essays?

Zaidan: I started in July between junior and senior years; this definitely helped me because I could manage the multiple redrafts that were required. I think just being disciplined and not procrastinating is the biggest thing with essays.

IO: Having just completed your application journey, what’s your advice to younger students?

Zaidan: Be resilient. I got a 5 in my mock GCSE, four months before sitting my actual exam. After hard work and tutoring, I achieved an A*. Do not give up! If you want something, be determined. As my scoutmaster would say, “embrace the suck and keep going.”