Chance a Rising Senior Pleaseeeee!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
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<p>I am a junior - Asian American -Indian (great, I know!)</p>

<p>Here's a break down of my stats as of right now:</p>

<p>Rank: 5/ 550 people (Very Competitive)
GPA: 4.7 (out of 4 due to weighting)
Class load: hardest possible no doubt!
ACT: 29 ( I know, I know. This is my WEAKEST point. I am seriously working my butt off this summer. I am studying daily, have resorted to help from a tutor, and hope to raise this score to at least a 31-32 by Sept.) </p>

<p>ECs: (I think this is the stronger portion of my app...Let me know your opinions...)</p>

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<p>Editor-in-chief of School Paper - first junior to become one in a long time, I am absolutely certain that the newspaper advisor will write me a first class recommendation. I am also the first EIC to serve for two years in a row! </p>

<p>Question: Our school paper won a national award from Columbia University (silver crown) during my time this year as EIC, is something I should mention? This award is not directed to me specifically but more to our entire paper. I think it's appealing as it is an award recognizing the top few papers internationally and is from Columbia itself. </p>

<p>Founder and manager of newspaper website </p>

<p>Awarded Outstanding web-designer by IU </p>

<p>Write for other community papers as well, including our cultural one.</p>

<p>Many essay competition awards; won 1st place in state for a newspaper article I wrote. That same article won 4th place nationally at another competition (which I will not list here for security reasons as you can easily look me up) </p>

<p>Started "desktop publishing" company - create flyers for local organizations, private groups, freelance editing, video/slideshow editing, creator, freelance writer, press release writer, t-shirt design services, etc. </p>

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<p>History Fair 3rd Place in State/Metro scholarship Winner/ National Qualifier (Alternate) </p>

<p>History Fair Executive Director's award for Superior History </p>

<p>Internship at congressman office summer before junior year </p>

<p>Teen Rep on local Youth Commission - began this system of teen reps to help form better student-community alliances
Attended Illini Girls State</p>

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<p>Founder/President of an Indian community service council for students (we help out at various community festivals, represent the youth, currently planning a cultural show and a trip abroad to India)
***Currently collaborating to make this an "international student" effort meaning students of all cultures create a joint effort. </p>

<p>Created a "Bollywood Dance" Fitness Company for young children to promote cultural awareness in a dominantly Caucasian community and fight obesity.</p>

<p>State Cultural Pageant winner (first runner up) and miss talent </p>

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<p>500+ volunteer service hours through hospital volunteering (the usual lol), tutoring, after school enrichment program helping for younger children, etc. etc. </p>

<p>Math Honor Society President</p>

<p>Founder and manager of MHS website (to submit service hours, updates on events, etc) </p>

<p>National Honor Society </p>

<p>French Honor Society </p>

<p>DECA state winner</p>

<p>I have several other ECs but I feel that these are my main ones and the ones that I am most proud to be involved in! However, as you can see my goal was to essentially divide my interests in three areas: writing/publishing, Politics/History, Indian Culture. Then of course, this is all accompanied by the usual honor societies and community service. </p>

<p>While I am certain I can increase my ACT score by September as I have this asmy biggest commitment for the summer, I would like you to evaluate my chances ED for CAS this fall as of now and whether it would be worth applying or not.</p>

<p>Recommendations – My counselor especially told me I am her “top junior” and will receive a “stellar” recommendation, and I am certain that the same will apply to my Newspaper Advisor/English teacher who has seen megrow extensively since freshman year. Also, would it be advisable to receive some sort of letter confirming the legitimacy of my internship at the Congressman’s office? I don’t want to give off any sort of impression that it was received through connections and whatnot since it most certainly was not! </p>

<p>Thanks for your advice!</p>

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<p>looks really really good… think u’ll get in… work hard on essays…</p>

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<p>Thanks! I hope to get started on my essays asap! Other opinions/criticism very welcome…</p>

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<p>Class of 2013 Blue Devil here…
I agree, the ACT is definitely on the low side for Duke (I think the 25-75% range this year was 31-34), so if you can at least get it to 31, that would be ideal! Have you tried the SAT? If not, you should!</p>

<p>DEFINITELY mention the award that Columbia gave to your newspaper. If you were just an average contributor, I’d say leave it out, but you’re the EIC for two straight years and the paper’s website designer, for goodness’ sake. Along with your other journalistic/essay awards, I might even steer your CommonApp essay in that direction.</p>

<p>Your EC list is impressive, to be sure, but take care when “packaging” your application to keep it from looking too “scattered.” Like I said, the journalism/writing component is solid and focused (and, quite frankly, sets you apart nicely from the mass of Asian-American math nerds applying to Duke). Showcase the ECs that stand out and shine.</p>

<p>With a 29 ACT, I’m on the fence. If you can pull it up to 30+, I’d say you’re in at Duke. WORK, WORK, WORK on your essays!!! (Remember, Duke has its own extra essay in its supplement, so keep that in mind. It says it’s optional, but WRITE IT ANYWAY).</p>

<p>Hope this all makes sense.</p>

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<p>Thanks! I will work my butt off to pull this score to a 30+.</p>

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<p>any other suggestions?</p>

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<p>Bump it please.</p>