Chance me Duke ED 2021?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

GPA: 3.96 UW/4.4W
SAT: 1520, 8/8/7 Essay
SAT IIs: Bio II was 770, Math II was 700 (Retaking in Fall)
Class Rank: ~20/639

State: Virginia
School: Attend Governors School (STEM Magnet) as well as a ‘base high school’
Ethnicity/Gender: Asian-Indian, Female
Hooks: Women in STEM? Eh…Walking Anti-Hook

Double Major: Global Health and either BME or Biology with a minor in Computer Science (Pre-Med Track)
Essays: 7/10, maybe stronger
Recs: Known 3 core teachers for 2 years, Scout leader for 12, Counselor Rec should be solid

AP Courses: AP World (4), AP Lang (5), APUSH (4) (Most of my courses are weighted but not AP, See Below)

Senior Course Load:
+AP Calc BC (Dual Enrolled)
+Biology III & Lab
+Biology ‘Wet Lab’ Research
+Bioengineering (Dual Enrolled)
+Innovations (Design, Create, Pitch Technology Projects)
+AP Gov (Online)
+AP Lit
Self Studying AP Physics 1 OR Dual Enrolling at CC
Pre-AP French 4

Academic Honors:
- Honor Roll/Academic Letter (9, 10, 11, 12)
- National Honor Society (10, 11, 12)
- IT Certificate
- Youth Salute
- County Leadership Conference Delegate

ECs/Work:
- FIRST Robotics (9, 10, 11, 12; Chairmans team 3x in a row, Programming/Sponsorship Leader, Ambassador, Speaker at championship on student leadership, helped direct local STEM expo, pitching a side project to a TV show currently)
- 3D Printed Hand Prosthetics for a nonprofit + attended “handathons” (11, 12)
- SEAP Naval Medical Intern (11, Medical Research on Zika)
- Governors School Medical Club (11, 12, Outreach Director and Webmaster)
- Girl Scout (12 Years; Gold Award, Silver Trefoil)
- Science Fair Team Leader (Placed at regionals in Medicine, won 2 minor awards -> invited to extra symposium) (11)
- Inspire US Student Leader (12, Civic Engagement)
- Base School Medical Club (9, 10, 11, 12)
- Church Volunteer with Open Arms (Special Need/At Risk Children) Ministry
- Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholar (11, Online NASA Course, I focused on Biology Elements)
- Personal Website (+ Have CIW Internet Business Associate and Site Development Associate Certifications)

Thoughts? I need to decide whether to include my religous activities, VASTS, or website with only 10 activity spots. Maybe I could list my personal website and certifications in the additional info section and keep the others? I’d assume it’s usually not used for that though.

Are my chances at Trinity and Pratt essentially equal? Pratt is harder to transfer into but I have concerns about my Math II subject test score and the fact that I haven’t yet taken Physics.

Thanks to all that read!

2

Pratt is a bit more focused on the objective numbers (GPA and standardized test scores). Trinity is more of a crapshoot since a large part of the decision is based on subjective factors. Since your scores are high you might actually have an easier chance at Pratt.

If you decide to ED to Pratt, the only weakness I see is the Math 2 score. If you retake in October, it should be back in time.

3

Will Physics not be a problem? I’ve taken a weighted ‘Intro to Engineering’ course if that helps. I have the option of taking AP Physics online but I have a hunch I will not do well. Maybe I will fare better with Honors Physics.

I think I will kick VASTS off my activity list and talk about my website in the additional information section.

How high should Math II be around to at least not hurt my chances? 750? Above 700?

4

For Pratt physics is ‘strongly recommended’. This basically means you need to take it. It will not look good if you don’t take it and apply as an engineering major. If self-study is a problem then drop down to honors physics instead of AP.

For Math 2 if your score is > 750 you should be good to go.

5

Then Honors Physics it is, I’ll reach out to my counselor. Thanks for the input!

Would you happen to know how I would communicate to the school if I ended up self-studying or taking it online during the spring semester? I’d assume my counselor ought to be able to straighten things out…

6

Not sure. Best thing would be to email the designated admissions officer for your region. They’re listed on the Duke admissions website.

7

Sounds about right, thank you so much for the help!