<p>ECs: -Chess (6 time state champ, 3 time national champ, instructor, captain)
-Debate (won a few local tournies, hopefully Captain next year)
-Lacrosse (9-12, not great, JV)
-Tennis/XC (9-12, not great, JV)
-NHS (Exec. Board, hopefully Pres next year)
-SHS (Member)
-Local dishwasher @ restaurant
-Community service through my activities listed.</p>
<p>Be sure to raise your CR SAT score--it's below Duke's range. In terms of ECs--you have impressive achievements, but they seem to be scattered and unfocused. Top colleges (especially the Ivies) emphasize depth over breadth. Focus on 1-2 activities you absolutely love, then get heavily involved in those areas. For a junior, though, you're on the right track!</p>
<p>What is your rating/ what state do you live in/ when were you national champion? I play a lot of chess too, but am worse (1943 USCF). Luckily I'm applying to Duke this year!</p>
<p>responding to the previous post... he's pretty heavily involved in one of his EC's.. I mean national champion for 3 years is pretty good.</p>
<p>Other than that. Just improve SAT scores and try to get straight A's (or close to it this year) and write good essays and you're in. Try to get a reccomendation from someone you know involved with chess (coach, etc maybe?) and a teacher from a subject you're interested and excel in.</p>
<p>kayabertz those are not scattered ec's.... he/she has sports, chess, and debate those are pretty in depth. I think you will get into duke. esp with your legacy</p>
<p>Therifleman, I'm a pretty average expert, so I'm not much better (if at all) than you. For privacy reasons, I'm from a pretty large midwestern state. Chess isn't huge here, so I guess I'm kinda lucky. I won in Nats '05, and then twice when I was younger (2nd grade and 6th grade). I've won state 3 years in a row and then a couple scattered times in middle school.</p>
<p>kayabertz-- "they seem to be scattered and unfocused"... I question the basis on which you say that, I'm kinda worried I'm TOO focused on chess. I've been playing for 11 years and done almost everything that can be done with it (job, achievements nationally, community service, leadership). </p>
<p>I'm also trying to sorta be recruited for my chess at Duke-- it's not like there's anything official to do that, but there chess team is thinning out, and if I could get a rec from their captain recommending me to uphold their team, I see it as very beneficial. Any other suggestions? Thanks guys.</p>