I MIGHT apply ED to Duke, so please treat this chance forum as if I am applying ED to Duke (28% acceptance rate ED).
White male
Go to most competitive school in the state
GPA: 4.50 W, 3.67 UW
ACT: 32 C, 34 E, 33 M, 32 R, 30 S, 9 essay
Top 15-20ish percent of class
EC’s: captain of two time state championship winning swim/dive team, started charity at school that works with/raises money for UNC hospitals and St. Jude hospital, NHS, cross country (likely captain next season), ambassador for my high school, BETA club, head dive coach at local pool where I have to work with a lot of small children and teach them to dive, trying to volunteer with UNC’s cancer hospital more
Essays: reading up on how to write amazing college essays and will make sure mine is impeccable by checking it with my AP English teacher. I am passionate about helping people with cancer since it has affected my family in a huge way and will write about that and why I started my club at school.
I’m applying to Trinity (ACT IQR of 31-35) and go to the most academically competitive school in my home state of NC. I live very close to Duke as well, and I would assume that Duke would be familiar with my high school and know that it’s an anomaly for a public school. Also, I’m aiming for a 34+ the next time I take the ACT, which is a realistic goal considering I raised my score 5 to a 32 points in less than a month @soze
@agc1998: Raising your score from a 27 to a 32 is actually quite a bit easier than raising it from a 32 to a 34. The last four points are the hardest to get.
Seems like you have a good shot other than the GPA- if you could have your counselor mention what happened (very rigorous course, personal problems, sickness, etc) that might help but other than the GPA red flag its good
maybe a high match (w/ explanation) to a reach
Chance back pls? http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/18654576#Comment_18654576