Chance me for Duke ED 2024!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

This is very detailed––I’m super anxious, clearly.

OOS from CA
White female
Income: $100,000+ (not applying for need-based aid)

GPA: W- 4.25 UW- 3.9 ish (got one B first semester junior year)
Class Rank: school doesn’t rank but likely top 10% (large public school)
ACT: 35

Intended major: Political Science, maybe minor in Spanish

AP classes:
Freshman- none offered for 9th grade
Sophomore- AP Euro (only one offered for 10th grade)
Junior- English Language, Spanish Language, US History
Senior- English Literature, Spanish Literature, Calc AB, Economics (Macro + Micro), Environmental Science

Fairly good Common App essay

Teacher recs pretty good (7 or 8/10)

Counselor rec not great––large public school, no real connection with counselors

Awards: AP Scholar with Distinction, California Scholastic Federation, some entrepreneurship/business competition things, Cross Country Rookie of the Year freshman year

Extracurriculars :

  1. Head Copy Editor of school newspaper
  2. School’s Student Trustee to district board (sole representative, elected by student body)
  3. Chief Operations Officer of entrepreneurship/business club that entered/placed in several international business competitions)
  4. Weekly tutor/founder of a monthly program at local nonprofit tutoring center
  5. Part-time job at local fast food restaurant
  6. Captain of cross country and track teams (varsity since freshman year)
  7. President of my class for a branch of National Charity League (very active in community service––assisting in elderly homes, volunteering at Special Olympics events, etc.)––since seventh grade
  8. Amigos de las Americas participant (6 weeks living with a host family in Panama the summer after my sophomore year)––had a big impact on me, was part of my Common App
  9. Member of the Leadership Class at my school (0 period, starts at 7AM four days a week) since freshman year, was class treasurer freshman year
  10. Did a selective program with the New York Times this summer––studied immigration with one of their immigration reporters; visited the border wall + migrant shelters to develop a storytelling project

Sorry that was so long!! Just very stressed and hoping for some information as I’m gearing up for admissions decisions.

2

Your stats are great but Duke is one of those schools where it is VERY hard to chance someone because everyone’s chances kind of stink unless they are a recruited athlete or have some other major hook. There is no reason to feel you won’t be accepted but I’d have back ups too!

3

Definitely a bit of a reach. I think you might be deferred. Just a hunch. I’m basing my opinion on your test scores but also on demographics (affluent, white, Californian etc.)

Good luck!

4

Thank you for the honest feedback! I’ve been thinking the same thing…

5

You’re very welcome! I think you’re a great candidate and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if you are admitted. Just write thoughtful essays that convey your passion for Duke.