<p>Alright, I'm not gonna provide too much information but would love some feedback.</p>
<p>By the end of senior year, I will have taken 8 AP's:
AP World (5)
AP US (Probably 5)
AP Euro
AP Calc BC
AP Spanish
AP English 12
AP Statistics (Probably 4/5)
AP Biology (Probably 5)</p>
<p>I received an SAT score of 2360. I essentially have a 4.0 GPA, more like 3.95 probably.
A few clubs, however no real leadership position.</p>
<p>In terms of community service, I don't have much. However, I will most likely be doing some sort of cancer research this summer and will be helping at a senior center.</p>
<p>Assuming at the least decent recommendations and decent essays, what are my chances for Duke?</p>
<p>I’d say academically you look good, but outside of the clsssroom you need something. Culd you list what you have done? Even though it might not be much, try to make it sound as good as you can without lying</p>
<p>I know that Duke cares a lot about you changing the world, or affecting the community in a major way. If you could do that, you look like a good candidate. Right now, though, I say you won’t get in, as only like 12% get in.</p>
<p>Selective schools want students who excel in 3 areas:
Academics…you are good
High school involvement and leadership…get involved in something you enjoy
Community service…need to do something to make your community better
Selective schools take pride in rejecting the brainiac kid that does nothing but study 24/7.</p>
<p>Alright, the thing is, I don’t just stay home and study. However, contributing to volunteering is something that I haven’t done much of because a majority of my week is dedicated to helping out at a family business. My essay is actually an experience at such business and I will most definitely put my hours spent there on my common app. Do you think that makes up for lack of community service and in a way that’s leadership right?</p>
<p>It’s good that you are helping out at a job, and colleges do like that, but you still have to do other stuff. It doesn’t have to be hundreds of hours, but it has to be some initiative of starting something to help others. Working for a business isn’t really leadership either, unless your a manager.</p>
<p>I think your helping the family business could be a huge asset, IF you are able to quantify and communicate your contribution. If you only spent a couple hours a week answering the phone so your parents could use you as a tax write-off, then you will definitely need other ECs. Keep in mind that without any context for your efforts, the adcom might default to this position.</p>
<p>However, it sounds like you really have made a personal investment in the business. Figure out a way to fully describe this in your application. Perhaps you could ask a key customer or supplier who you have worked with closely to write a letter of recommendation for you.</p>
<p>If you mop the floors and work as the busboy it will not help. But if you design a web page, or come up with new meals, redesign the restaurant, market to new customers, or manage the books it will be a big help.</p>
<p>I understand that this is supposed to be a candid thread for potential applicants, and therefore may sometimes be hurtful. And obviously the previous poster is very accomplished. But nonetheless the attitude of the impressive, but clearly bitter, aforementioned commentary may reflect why you were not accepted to Duke. Please try to have a more respectful tone with people asking questions–we’re clearly all concerned and dedicated students that deserve honesty AND encouragement.</p>
<p>I’d say your academics are on point. Keep it up, and try to get involved in some more extra curricular things if you can. You don’t necessarily need a leadership position (although it does look good). What Duke likes the most is that you find something you like and you stick with it. It shows commitment. You could probably use the family business to your advantage if you show that it’s important to you and that you contribute in a meaningful way.</p>
<p>Personally, I think your recs and your essay need to be more than “decent.” I really think it’s what made the difference for me. I won’t go into the details of my academic “stats” because I am in no way trying to brag, but my two best friends were both significantly higher ranked than I and took more APs, and we were all involved in many of the same extra curricular activities, but unfortunately neither were accepted at Duke. I don’t speculate too much as to why, and it’s pretty anecdotal in the first place, so just because it happens to be my experience doesn’t mean it will be yours. We were all qualified, and Duke can’t possibly accept everyone they find to be qualified. What I took from it is this: Duke probably takes a very holistic approach in deciding who makes up their classes, and it’s a mistake to put a huge emphasis on academics and let the other factors such as ECs, recommendations, and the essay slide by.</p>