Chance me for Duke ED

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

sorry I know I have done so many of these but I’m so anxious for Duke and really want some insight. I will be applying to Duke ED as a classical studies (Latin, Ancient Greek, Sanskrit) major with a minor in classical archaeology.

ACT: 33 Composite but 34 Superscore (Duke superstores)
APs: World (3), Bio (4), Lang (4), US (4), Stat (3), AB Calc, French, Micro Econ, Macro Econ, Lit, Gov (11 APs)
Other Classes: Research & Advanced Latin Lit
Class Rigor: I’ve taken very hard class throughout high school, but my GPA isn’t great
GPA: UW: 3.8 (I didn’t do that well junior year with 2 B+'s and 3 A-'s because course load was hard & had family issues)
SAT 2’s: taking in 2 weeks

Extracurriculars: I am applying as a classical studies major & classical archaeology minor and have done a lot in classical studies & archaeology, so I’m hoping majoring in classical studies (since barely anyone does) will give me an advantage

  1. Built a Classical Studies Non Profit Organization & received a scholarship for it from a Latin organization
  2. I am student ambassador for Archaeology Institute of America (only high schooler who does it) & received archaeology grant for research
  3. President of my Latin Honor Club
  4. Studied Ancient Greek (8 credit course) at UPenn over summer for 7 weeks
  5. I am the only high school writer for an online classical studies journal
  6. Team Captain of Varsity Soccer (4 years)
  7. President of SoupKitchen (volunteer at homeless shelter)
  8. Vice President of Model Congress
  9. Self Studied Sanskrit
  10. Volunteered at a Museum

Awards:

  1. Received Latin scholarship from this classical studies organization and built a children’s program for classical studies out of it
  2. Received grant from Archaeology Institute of America and am doing research and archaeology work with it
  3. Scored perfect on National Latin Exam and then silver the next year
  4. I was Team Captain of my Latin team for a classical studies contest and we received 2nd & 3rd
  5. I received an honorable mention from this classical studies writing compeititon

Letters of Rec:

  1. From my Latin teacher: he LOVES me (will write me a great one)
  2. From my English teacher: he liked me but prob an okay one (he had my brother too and loved him)
  3. My guidance counselor: will write a pretty good one, knows my family pretty well
  4. (Outside recommender) From president of Archaeology Institute of America and she LOVED me (will write me a good one and will talk about leadership)

Ethnicity: Asian girl
School: Competitive af school in NJ, everyone is asian or white and very affluent, our school is one of the best in the state with several going to great colleges
Legacy: my brother is currently a sophomore at Duke and is doing very well academically & my mom did her medical residency at Duke but idk if that counts cause she didn’t receive a degree from Duke

Common App Essay: pretty good
Supplements: pretty good

*I’m really concerned about my GPA since it went very done junior year cause I received a 3.625 (will this impact me a lot?)

Thank u for the help! please chance me and I will chance u back lol

2

Your GPA is slightly below average and your ACT is slightly above so overall academically I’d say you’re about average/ competitive enough for duke. More importantly, the fact that you’ve done so much in relation to your interest + have gotten such unique recs (again related to your interest) will help a lot. I’d estimate a 50/50 shot but obviously you never know

3

@okkkkkk thank u for ur input! I appreciate it

4

EC’s show great demonstration of interest in area of study, but ACT is good, GPA is okay considering the circumstances (if you let them know). Great Recs, Id say you have a good shot!! Also for the GPA, If duke is familiar with your school, they should take into account the rigor associated, and would therefore help your GPA stress. Hope to see you there!

5

@mynamajef thanks! u too!! good luck