<p>Greetings! I've recently visited the gorgeous Duke campus and read everything in these forums about Duke, and feel that it would be a great fit for me. Please be candid in your responses so I can improve my application and put it at the top of the pile. Thanks!</p>
<p>Note: I plan on applying ED to Pratt School of Engineering.</p>
<p>Background
White Male
Attend All Boys Catholic Prep School near Boston</p>
<p>Academics
4.4 W GPA (5.0 Scale - The true max is around 4.75 based on graduation requirements)
3.8ish UW GPA (A's frosh and soph years, A's and 2 B+'s Jr. Year)
Ranked around 10th in a class of 320 boys. (This will go unreported, but adds perspective)</p>
<p>Courseload
Absolutely the hardest available, the class #1 who is a shoe-in for HYP has a less intense schedule.
Unleveled denotes a class that is a graduation requirement</p>
<p>Fr. - 4.5 Honors/ 2 Unleveled,
Soph. - 5 Honors/ 1.5 Unleveled
Jr. - 5 AP (Spanish Lang, English Lang, Chem, USH, CalcAB) , 1 Honors, 1 Unleveled (gave up free period)
Sr. - 6 AP (Stats, CalcBC, Bio, Physics C (both), Economics (Macro+Micro), English Lit) 1 Unleveled (gave up free period)</p>
<p>Scores
SAT I - 2100 (Need Work! - I plan to retake and improve in the fall, hopefully in a dramatic fashion)
CR - 690 M-750 W-660
SAT II
Chem - 800
Math II - 780
National Merit Commended Student </p>
<p>Recs/Essays
Rec 1 - English teacher, she has a reputation for writing awesome recs, English is my weakest subject but I find myself doing well on major assignments, tests, and in-class discussions and will finish with an A- in what is the most difficult class for mathy kids at the school. That and I make sure to agree with her libertarian political viewpoint, which her and I discuss frequently before and after class.</p>
<p>Rec 2 - Undecided between Chem teacher (had for honors soph year again for AP junior year) and Bio teacher (had for honors frosh year and will again for AP senior year). I've aced chem (A's both times) but I annoy my teacher because my effort and note-taking are sporadic - I frequently get something along the lines of: "You're one of my top students I just wish you tried harder." My biology teacher wrote me a rec for a volunteer opportunity mid sophomore year and I feel that it was what swung the odds in my favor (I never read it). I had him freshman year and will have him for around a quarter senior year before I ask him for a recommendation. (I'd prefer to ask him-opinions please on whether or not it is a good idea.)</p>
<p>Counselor Rec - Had as a lacrosse coach for JV, we've talked about colleges and I visited him frequently about scheduling classes for my next year. I feel this should be great. </p>
<p>Essays - After finishing the AP exam in english we spend 3 weeks crafting a common app essay. Our teacher who has a multitude of experience in the college process guides us in writing them. In summary, the final product is fantastic.</p>
<p>EC's</p>
<p>Environmental Club (developing greener initiatives with the school) 10,11,12
Investment Club (parent annually donates $5,000 which students along with a moderator and investor use to invest, the money at the end is given to the school) 11,12</p>
<p>National Honor Society - 10,11,12
Spanish National Honor Society - 11,12
Sophomore Retreat Leader - 12
School Leadership Institute - 12 (Week-long retreat available to select members of the senior class)
Freshman Orientation Group Leader - 11 (Juniors work with freshman in their 3-day orientation as well as group meetings throughout the year)</p>
<p>Football - 9
Lacrosse - 9,10
Indoor Track -9,10,11,12(cap.)
Outdoor Track - 11,12</p>
<p>Summer Activities
Office Assistant (175 hrs) - Father's office, although I didn't work for him. (9,10,11)<br>
Exhibit Hall Interpreter - Museum of Science (100 hrs) - Do demonstrations in the Museum exhibit halls that serve as educational aids to exhibits as well as stand alone activities. Unpaid volunteer work. (10,11)
SciCORE Intern - Museum of Science (140 hrs) - Same as above, paid and work more hours during the week. Only during the summer. (12)</p>
<p>200(+) hours of community service</p>
<p>If you've made it this far, I cordially ask you to take another five minutes of your time and write a response which will help me assess areas where I can improve my application as well as opportunities available at Duke, which will help me on final decision of applying ED or RD.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>