I’m currently an incoming junior and I really really really want to go to Duke as my first choice. I go to a very competitive school and a lot of people will probably apply to Duke. I take hard courses at my school (several AP’s) and will most likely earn around a 33/34 on my ACT. I will most likely end with a 3.85 GPA (but that is equivalent to all A’s at our school). I also am planning to major in Latin (classical studies) because I do a lot in that and it is a major which no one applies in so it will look better. With that, I am also gonna be on varsity basketball for all 4 years and will be varsity basketball team captain. I also play lacrosse, and have volunteered for 100 hours at a local museum. I also attend nursing homes weekly and am the president of that club, and will most likely have a position in French Honor Society and Latin Honor Society. I also am trying to set up a non-for profit Latin organization and am going to take classes in Latin at a local college. I also am doing research at a business company. My letters of rec will probably be good and I am white and a female (so no advantage in being an (URM). Lol sorry this is so long but also my dad did medical residency as Duke so would that count as legacy? Also, my dad went to Brown med so would that count as a little of legacy for undergraduate? Do I have a chance at these schools? I am trying to excel in classical studies to major in that to show I have “a passion”. Do you guys have any other ideas of what to do in the classics/ Greek and Latin studies field to do more for that major?
First, your stats and EC’s are really good (way better than mine). My question is, is Latin/Classical Studies really your passion? Because it sounds like you’re only doing it because no one else does and it looks good. My advice is, don’t do something you are not passionate about. As for legacy, your father’s residency is not enrollment at the school, so I don’t think it will count. The Brown med may help, though. Ultimately, I think your chances are good as long as your personal statement and essays depict your personality well.
Just show dedication in whatever you’re doing right now - it’s great Latin/Classics is your focus, but honestly it’s not a big deal if your EC’s aren’t perfectly revolving around it. Adcoms understand this. Just because you want to major in, say, philosophy, doesn’t mean you have to start a philosophy club at your school (just an example). You’ve done your job, now it’s about presenting yourself in the best way possible in all your ECs - not just Latin. Show them the YOU, not the decent “bright-well-rounded-kid” figure. Your essays are gonna really be important for this. Good luck!