Chance me for Duke please:)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>Hello, I am a rising senior wondering if I have what it takes to be accepted at a university as prestigious as Duke. I feel like my numbers are where they should be, but the more subjective criteria (ECs/leadership) may not:[
If you could chance me for Trinity and/or Pratt that would be great! Also please let me know if I have a better chance for early or regular decision. Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>NOTE: my schedule will probably not seem impressive, but it was either the toughest or nearly the toughest available .</p>

<p>PROFILE
Caucasian Male
Region: NE Wisconsin
School: uncompetitive public (relatively small)
GPA: 4.0/4.0 UW (our school does not weight GPA)
Class Rank: 1/312 (tied with ~15 others for first)
Potential Hook: none</p>

<p>ACT Composite: 33 (MAYBE retaking in September - should I bother?)
English: 36
Math: 33
Reading: 34
Science: 29 (ugh)
Combined E/W: 31 (8 writing)
PSAT: 196</p>

<p>FRESHMAN
Spanish I
Honors Language Arts 9/10
Geometry
Physical Science (intro chem/physics)
Biology (not usually offered to freshmen)
Intro to Social Sciences
Required PE class</p>

<p>SOPHOMORE
Spanish II
Honors American Lit/Comp
Adv. Algebra/Functions, Statistics, Trig (Block class)
Honors Chem
Human Anatomy & Physiology
World History (could/should have taken AP Euro)
Required PE class</p>

<p>JUNIOR
Spanish III
Advanced Composition/Public Speaking (each 1 semester)
CC Precalc (could not take precalc/calc I block due to scheduling conflict)
AP Biology (5)
Physics
APUSH (5)
Required PE class</p>

<p>SENIOR (REGISTERED)
No Spanish IV (could this hurt?)
CC Expository Writing
Honors Economics
CC Philosophy (will take on private college campus)
CC Latin I and II (will take on private college campus)
CC Calc/Analytic Geometry I and II (will take on private college campus)
Planning to independent study CC Chem or something equivalent to AP Physics</p>

<p>*Originally planned to take AP Physics senior year but it was eliminated
*Only other challenging science course not covered will be CC Human A & P
*School does offer AP Calc II but no Calc I/Calc II block</p>

<p>EXTRACURRICULAR (weakest part of application)
Varsity Cross Country (9, 10, 11, 12)
-3 time sectional qualifier
Varsity Track and Field (9, 10, 11)
-3 time regional qualifier
Summer Running/Weightlifting program
-Lead stretches and provide assistance to others in high school weight room
Metro Math League (11, 12)
NHS (12)
Science Bowl Team (11, 12)
[Nominated for] American Math Competition (AMC 12) (11, 12?)</p>

<p>AWARDS
Cross Country Most Improved Award (9)
Cross Country Varsity Letter (9, 10, 11)
Track and Field Varsity Letter (9, 10, 11)
Should I include running awards not associated with school?
Certification in CPR (May 2010)
High Honor Roll (9, 10, 11) Got some medallion thing for 20+ academic points
NOTE: School does not hand out other awards</p>

<p>LEADERHIP
Cross Country captain (12)
-Lead stretches before practice
-Organize team events (pre-season canoe outing and pre-race dinners)
Invited to attend National Student Leadership Conference (100 percent meaningless?)</p>

<p>VOLUNTEER WORK
Summers 2009/2010
National Railroad Museum (80+ hours)
-Conductor
-Inventory Assistant
-Facilities maintenance</p>

<p>2008 – present
Student Assistant (tutor) at high school
-Student Resource/Math Resource Center assistant during lunch periods</p>

<p>Referee/Timer at local middle school track meet
Helped out at GB Cellcom Marathon WPS Kids Run
Helped raise money for Malawi Well Project</p>

<p>Essays: decent (possible to override weak ECs?)
Recommendations: good---> excellent (from AP Bio/APUSH/English/Precalc teachers). Maybe from professor at private college.</p>

<p>ADDITIONAL PLANS
Volunteer at local hospital/church
Applied for job at local store</p>

<p>OTHER
Intended Major: Biochemistry or Biomedical Engineering (BME)
Planning on pre-med.
Planning on applying for an Air Force ROTC scholarship (Pratt would give me the best shot at receiving this - BME).</p>

<p>OTHER COLLEGES
-Notre Dame (EA)
-Vanderbilt (RD) if not admitted at Duke or ND
-Marquette
-MAYBE Northwestern (RD) if not admitted at Duke or ND
Feel free to chance me for any of the schools listed above if you can.</p>

<p>One more thing: will Duke take into account the fact that there are VERY few (if any) research facilities and other opportunities for impressive ECs where I live?</p>

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<p>Yes Duke will see what facilities that you had at your disposal and how you took advantage of what you were given. From what it seems like, you have been trying to do something significant in your high school and community. </p>

<p>Also, if you have any non-school running awards that are from actual competitions, why not include them?</p>

3

<p>Well thats good, thanks for the input(:</p>

<p>Would awards from running basic road races (apart from school) be worth mentioning? I do not have any from the state or national level, if thats what you were thinking. </p>

<p>Also, I’m leaning towards Pratt RD. Should I rethink this?</p>

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<p>If you want a better shot at getting in try ED, but if money is an issue for your family, the financial aid may not be what you want from Duke if you get in so if that is the case, RD it.</p>

<p>As for Pratt vs. Trinity, you seem to be a more english/reading person by your ACT score breakdown. You sure you want to do Engineering? Also, going for Pratt, I assume they will look more at your science and math scores which are lower in your ACT breakdown. But, Pratt does have a slightly higher admission rate.</p>

<p>Let me ask this, do you WANT to do engineering or did you pick Pratt because of the slightly higher admissions rate?</p>

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<p>Haha wow, there are so many people on this site that are just like me. What type of times do you run? Wisconsin is a good running state.</p>

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<p>^^haha do we really have that reputation? Thats awesome lol.
Anyway my times are nothing great.
1600m (4:40)
800m (2:05)
3200m (10:20)
XC 5K (low to mid 17:00s but hoping for sub 16:30 this season)</p>

<p>@Wildcat343: I’m really interested in biomedical engineering, and I have seen that Duke is pretty well known for that (ranked 2 in the nation I think). I know my ACT breakdown doesn’t exactly reflect this interest, so should I retake and focus on math/science? Ironically, those are always my best subjects in school haha. Could a 5 on AP Bio help show that I do know some science?
Oh and I will definitely have to apply RD so I can compare financial aid options.</p>

7

<p>If you really want to show adeptness in math or science, take some SAT IIs and show your proficiency.</p>

8

<p>You definitely have a chance if you can make your application stand out in some sort of way. The essay component is monumental for you. Test scores and grades are definitely where they need to be, but your profile lacks any sort of luster in terms of passions. You will not get in if you come across as uninteresting, but your heretofore accomplishments certainly put you through the door into the arena of competitive applicants. Congratulations.</p>

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<p>Thanks Wildcat343 thats a good idea…I had considered taking SAT IIs before, but never seriously enough until now. </p>

<p>brewdevil, I definitely agree my application needs help standing out - thats actually been my main concern recently. Right now I’m sure it could be easily lost in a pile of apps with similar stats. Is there anything that you (or anyone else who wants to help) see that has potential to be interesting or stand out? I thought maybe the train museum was a little corky and different, but I don’t know how to show any sort of passion for this, except through an essay (which I could do). </p>

<p>Running has always been a huge part of my life, and has the biggest potential for me to show passion, so I was thinking about focusing my common app essay around that, but maybe thats too bland?</p>

10

<p>Hey Domer,</p>

<p>I think your ACT 33 is fine. If you will die if you do not take it again, then by all means take it. But by having the 33, the admissions board has checked you off for the “national test” and moves on to your other info. Your EC’s may be a little weak because you did not start right when high school started. however, you did develop and make sure you show the best aspect about you to duke. and indeed, do include the outside awards/activities that were not in school. many kids who get into top universities did stuff outside of school which made them stand out.</p>

<p>As for financial, if duke is your first choice, apply ED. It will let duke know you are highly interested in it, and Duke expects your family to pay only what it has. Make your essays stand out, and do not make them the traditional thing. If you have heard of the idea before, then that can’t become your essay :-). You can always send an extra letter or something to the admission office by mail. Don’t use big words or anything, but it lets them know you are very interested. do this a week or two after you have applied or after the deadline. I’m not sure about your grades, but they better be mostly A’s or this has hurt your application somewhat to a large extent. that’s all i have, PM me if you have more q’s, and best of luck. trd123</p>

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<p>Thanks…my grades are all A’s so far.
What should be included in the extra letter you suggested?</p>

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<p>In the extra letter, it is optional. Obvi kids get in by having great essays and just the required ones. The extra letter can address something you perhaps forgot in the first place, or a different story, etc that you want to show them as well. It can also be an informal letter, maybe showing some humor and your competence and why you really should come to Duke.</p>

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<p>get that ACT score for science up and take some SATII subjects. I would take the SAT over again also if you intend on doing it, otherwise ACT is fine. Your stats are average good, and you need to show your full personality in your essays b/c I can’t really get the jist of what you really want to be or even your main interests. No one can say positively if you are in after these corrections, but a try is worth a million smiles! :)</p>

14

<p>Thanks for the advice…I’m not sure how successfully I will be able to show my interests in the essays, so would volunteering at a hospital on weekends help prove my intention to do pre-med?</p>

<p>Also, does anyone know if Duke offers Tissue and/or Organ Engineering (or something similar) as part of the BME program? Because I don’t think I’m really interested in Biomechanics, Bioelectronics, or Biocomputing. I tried researching this but couldn’t find much. Feel free to post a link.</p>

15

<p>

</p>

<p>Yes.</p>

<p>[Welcome</a> to the Center for Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering at Duke | Center for Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering](<a href=“http://www.cbte.pratt.duke.edu/]Welcome”>http://www.cbte.pratt.duke.edu/)</p>

<p>If you look at the faculty, you’ll notice it’s mostly from BME. You still have to take intro courses in biomechanics, electronics and measurements, electrobiology, etc. but you can cater to your interests later on with electives and the research you elect to do. If you look at the course catalog, you can see the offerings from last semester, but the upper level electives do vary a bit:</p>

<p><a href=“http://soc.siss.duke.edu/psp/PS090SOC/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/h/?tab=DEFAULT[/url]”>http://soc.siss.duke.edu/psp/PS090SOC/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/h/?tab=DEFAULT&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>230 Tissue Biomechanics (GE, BB)
248 Tissue Engineering (GE, MC)
340 Mechanics of Multiphase Biological Tissues
215 Biomedical Materials and Artificial Organs (GE, BB)
216 Transport Phenomena in Cells and Organs (GE, MC)
220L Introduction to Biomolecular Engineering (GE, BB, MC)</p>

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<p>^Thanks so much! This was perfect!</p>

<p>Other thoughts?</p>