<p>Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Region: Georgia (rural part...generally no one goes to an ivy league school)
GPA: number 1 in my class</p>
<p>SAT: 2260 (740 CR, 730 M, 790 W)
SAT IIs: 800 US History, 780 Biology, 710 Math 2
National Merit Semifinalist (not sure yet, but most likely)
AP: all 5's</p>
<p>Editor of school newspaper
Founder of creative writing club
Summer workshops for creative writing
Founder and editor of lit mag
School's representative on local community service organization board
Varsity Tennis (4 years, played on number 1 doubles team)
Drama (4 years)
All region actor for one act play
FCA leadership board
Officer in Interact
Lots of awards</p>
<p>I have a lot of community service, but I'm not listing it all here :) </p>
<p>I know my SAT score isn't very good, so I may retake it. These aren't the only schools I'm applying to. They're my 2 "stretch schools," but I wanted to know if Duke and Yale were realistic for me.</p>
<p>I'm taking the ACT for the first time in the fall. On all the practice tests, I've been getting around 34 and 35, so that's what I'm expecting.</p>
<p>Also, would being from a region that's not represented in the Ivy League or at other top schools help me? Seriously, nobody's gone to HYP since the 50's.</p>
<p>Thanks, but I didn’t come here for *****y comments. Maybe the fact that I have a life (unlike you, who’s 21 and ■■■■■■■■ a chance me forum) will help as well.</p>
<p>Could someone who’s helpful answer my question?</p>
<p>Haha kph2011 I’m with you about hannibalxx, he’s all over chance threads saying ridiculous stuff.
Your grades/scores look good, and your EC’s are pretty good too. The thing with Duke and Yale is there will be many applicants whose stats are just as good as yours, or better, so it’s tough to chance. And you’re SAT score is certainly not bad (2250+ in my opinion is fine for all schools), but I can see why you want to retake it for these top ivys. If you think you can get it to 2350+ it would be worth the retake.
Also, you may want to retake that mathII if you’re going to submit it, although that probably not a big deal because you have two 750+ scores. I feel like your location only helps if your from an under-represented state not region, but I could be wrong. </p>
<p>With great essays and great recs. I would say that you have a really good shot at Duke, and a pretty good one at Yale. Good Luck.</p>
<p>I never really understood the point of this forum- you should generally be able to gauge your own chances.</p>
<p>Let me sum up what’s going to be said in this thread:
You have a good shot a Duke based on your stats.
Yale will be a reach, but yale is a reach for everybody.</p>
<p>There you go. I guarantee you everybody will say the same exact thing.</p>
<p>It’s largely useless. But occasionally a person may be able to point out something that turns out to be useful, and there lies the sole value of a chance thread.</p>
<p>It would help, but not significantly. Your application will probably get an extra look IF you’re also lower-income, which I’m not sure if you mentioned (by lower-income, I mean $80K or less per year as your household income with low to moderate assets). If you’re upper class, though, it will help little.</p>
<p>Your stats all look fine. It’s true that, for Yale, your SAT is a little low for an unhooked applicant. I’d retake with an aim for 2300 or higher, or get a 35 or 36 when you take the ACT.</p>
<p>Other than that, everything looks fine. I’d say Yale is a mid-reach and Duke is a low-to-mid-reach for you. It’s possible that one, if not both, will accept you, but the odds are against you, so I wouldn’t bank on acceptances from either one, although Duke is likely.</p>
<p>Basically: write outstanding essays, get glowing teacher recommendations, and keep your fingers crossed until April 1. Good luck. :)</p>
<p>Thanks, I think the ACT will be more of my forte. :)</p>
<p>Like I said, I’m not really counting on these schools. I just wanted to see how much of a chance I had at the most difficult schools I’m applying to.</p>
<p>^That’s a good idea. Remember though, it’s perfectly possible that one, even both, will accept you. But have the mindset that you’re going to be rejected so that, if you are, it will hurt far less and, if you’re accepted, it will come as a wonderful surprise. :)</p>