<p>Hey all, what are my chances for getting into Duke? And any advice? Please & thank you :]</p>
<p>Class: Junior (2011)
Nationality: Ugandan & first generation (But American citizen)
Gender: Female
State: New York</p>
<p>ACADEMICS!</p>
<p>GPA: 4.0
Class Rank: 20/132, top %15 percent
AP Classes: Junior Year = AP English, AP US History (No scores yet )
Senior Year/Next year: AP Biology, AP European History, AP English (No scores yet )
ACT: 34 Composite. 32E, 36M, 34R,34S.
SAT: Duke requires SAT I + 2 SAT IIs OR ACT so since my ACTs are relatively strong I figure why bother with the other two? In all likelihood, I could secure a 780 on the literature and US History SAT IIs but Ive taken SO MANY practice SAT Is and Im stuck at 2160. I even got a tutor and I cant get higher. Also, I cant afford all these tests (at my school we have to pay for AP testing) sooooo thats close to $300 for a bunch of tests when I could just pay $45 for the ACT, do well, and pay for my APs in May. Whatre your opinions on this? Do you think my status as a first generation/URM will negate the absence of an SAT? AND Duke says either/or but submit both IF YOU CHOOSE! Sooo can they really hold that against me? J
* I am only taking 5 APs and Im not in the top 10 percent. Will this hurt me? But at least Im excelling at these AP courses right? Above 95s in five is better than 80s in 20? Lol And will the SAT thing hurt me? Honest opinions!</p>
<p>EXTRA CURRICULARS!</p>
<p>Summer Camp Counselor
Model United Nations - Honorable mention twice
President of Human Rights Club - planned a Dance for Darfur that raised $8000 for the nation, launched a World Hunger Event that involved the community and raised $20,000 for Cambodia
President of Youth Against Racism - Selected to attend New Paltz Universitys 11th Annual Racism Conference
Vice President of SADD
Youth Leadership - participated in the most successful Junior Achievement Company ever.
Varsity field hockey captain
National Honor Society
Honor Roll since 2007
Selected for Summer Scholars 09: Exploration of American Diplomacy at Vassar College
* I am confident about my ECs but wondering if theyre strong enough. Do I have enough leadership positions? Do I stand out? Hmm </p>
<p>TRANSCRIPT!</p>
<p>Very strong with the exception of a two Cs freshman year but who really cares? Ive maintained honor roll ever since then with As in EVERYTHING! And excelled in more and more honors classes and APs each year so my transcript greatly reflections my academic progression.
*I am not worried about this section.</p>
<p>ESSAYS/RECOMMENDATIONS!
Im confident about my essay strengths and tentative topics.
I have teachers/advisors who really know me that I plan to have write my recommendations.
*I am not worried about this section.</p>
<p>INTENDED MAJOR!
International Relations/Political Science</p>
<p>That’s impossible. you can’t have two C’s and have a 4.0, so it must be weighted. I would say you still look solid. Although, with the exception of the money you’ve raised, it doesn’t look like you have done much in your EC’s. What you accomplish as a leader is far more important than just being the leader. Win some stuff in MUN, take field hockey off the list (b/c nobody really cares, no offense, and it looks like your scraping for EC’s), and keep raising money in your other areas and you’ll be set. Good Luck!</p>
<p>ok…i STRONGLY beg to differ about field hockey. sports are a huge time commitment, and i don’t think i need to go into the character building aspect of it. on top of that, being captain (especially if the team does well) is a great thing to put on your resume.</p>
<p>i have NEVER heard anyone say that athletics are something you should omit from your resume. in fact, i have only heard the opposite.</p>
<p>in fact, i wrote my “favorite activity” essay on the common app about my time on the volleyball team, and i did pretty well for myself.</p>
<p>Perhaps my advice comes primarily from my own perspective at my High School. But, at least in my area, Field Hockey is NOT considered a legitimate league. People play it after school for fun and maybe in P.E, but it’s not anything taken seriously. I thought this was the wideheld belief, but if it’s not, and it’s a fairly big thing at your school, by all means don’t omit it. Although if it’s anything like it is at my school, it’s nothing more than a waste of space you could use to write something else. Best of Luck to you!</p>
<p>Taking captain of a varsity sport off an application is the craziest thing I’ve heard all day. I know a young lady who went to Duke to play Field Hockey. I think that other poster wants your spot at Duke.</p>
<p>lulz
i guess dukeblueduke can’t read, or doesn’t have the ability to understand the point im making, and im not sure which one is worse. If field hockey is a legitmate sport at your school, which it sounds like it is based on these posts, it would be ludicrous to take it off. It’s just…look at it like NHS. at some places NHS is a huge deal, but at others it’s a complete joke. Depending on how important NHS is at your school should determine if you list it as an important E.C. Same with field hockey, you see at my school, field hockey isn’t even a club, let alone a sport. If things are different than you, then base your decision off that. That’s all im sayin : )</p>