Can i get into duke?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>Um let's see: stats..</p>

<p>male, Half white, half korean, Houston TX
Senior
Class Rank: UNRANKED, though around 50th percentile, just below (I know its bad, our school doesn't give class ranks)
School=EXTREMELY Competetive... (current NEW Sat 1 median is 2120, old one was 1470; also is best school in state)
I'm not bragging or anything, in fact i hate it...
my GPA numerically is around 89, but supposedly translates to a 3.4 on a 4.0 scale. I'm hoping to get it raised to a 90. </p>

<p>PSAT: 215
SAT: 2280 (730 Critical Reading, 750 Math, 800 Writing, 12 essay)</p>

<p>Classes JR year
English III AP (4)
French IV AP (2)
World history AP-(5)
Us History
Physics
Precalculus</p>

<p>This (Sr.) year
Psychology AP
Physics IIc AP
Calc AB AP
English IV Honors</p>

<p>so far, only 1 SAT II: World History, = 720
math I = 690
planning on taking Math IIb</p>

<p>ECs
Athletics, Wrestling
2X letterman
2x Prep State Placer (3rd '04, 4th '05)
3rd conference '05
conference not held in '04
Most Improved '04
Texas National Team Member ‘05</p>

<p>Community service
250+ hours
Presidential Gold Award
Special Olympics, House Repair</p>

<p>Also i hope this is a huge hook:</p>

<p>Worked on research paper last summer (in genetics) which got accepted into the journal “the Prostate”: my name is on it as “co-author”</p>

<p>Working THIS summer with a Doctor at Rice University in Nanotechnology... Nobel Laureate caliber lab, hope to get recommendation, and will get another coauthored paper</p>

<p>I know my grades are low, but Im hoping test scores and competetiveness of school will help.. also looking at the research papers to help with the science schools...</p>

2

<p>Id say u are IN!!!!!</p>

<p>any wrestler who also does lab research is a big plus!!!</p>

<p>coming from a current freshman who was a violinist/football player/immunopathology research etc etc</p>

3

<p>Your grades are good, and you've clearly had a good hs career. It's tough to get in, however, when there will likely be a lot of people with better GPA's applying to Duke from your school. </p>

<p>Your article is nice, as is the volunteer stuff, as is the wrestling (any chance you could be good enough for Duke's team? Wrestling isn't one of Duke's elite sports and so it's possible).</p>

<p>I don't know if you can get in, but I bet your college counselor can tell you with a good deal of certainty. While you should probably want to demonstrate that Duke's your first choice, you might want to wait for a semester's worth of improved grades to apply rather than going ED.</p>

<p>By the way, there's another school in Texas that considers itself better than St. John's (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Mark%27s_School_of_Texas%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Mark%27s_School_of_Texas&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;/p>

4

<p>You have a very good chance. I'd say if you write interesting, thoughtful, personal essays and responses and have good recommendations, you have a great chance. But don't take anything for granted. Your GPA is low, but I personally think that your other stuff will overcome that.</p>

5

<p>I wouldn't say you have a "very good chance," because academic record is the most important part of the app. For you, that'll be your weakest section, which suffice to say, isn't a good thing. I'd put you at about the same level as someone with better grades but less impressive ECs. Which means you do have a chance of getting in, so work on those essays, go over your app with a fine tooth comb, and hope for the best. Emphasize your research experience as much as possible.</p>

<p>PS: That GPA is unweighted, right? If it's weighted then I'd downgrade your chances.</p>

6

<p>To get in, you really do need to stand out in some way. Why would Duke be particularly good for you and what would Duke get out of having you on campus? This will be behind their thinking when they read your application. They'll also know that you will be fine wherever you go to college since you're clearly a smart, motivated guy.</p>

7

<p>michaelwill-freshman?</p>

<p>DukeDevils- Yes, there are rude people...even at Duke. :p</p>

8

<p>o well, i hope he's not serious... and btw, I AM waiting to get some better grades my sr. year, which so far have been coming pretty well..</p>