Chance me for Duke, UVA, W&M

<p>Colleges I plan to apply to:
(1st) Duke - Regular Decision
(2nd) University of Virginia - Early Action
(3rd) William and Mary - Regular Decision
(4th) University of Richmond -Regular Decision</p>

<p>Colleges I may apply to (all regular decision):
(5th) University of Notre Dame
(6th) Washington and Lee University
(7th) University of Pennsylvania
(8th) Stanford University</p>

<p>BRIEF BACKGROUND of yours truly...</p>

<pre><code>-Grade: Senior
-Ethnicity: White
-Gender: Male
-Hometown: Orange, CA (SW CA)
-Current Residence: Roanoke, VA (SW VA)
-High School: Small Private College Prep. School (Class of 40 - Don't Rank)
-Legacy: None anywhere - will be First-Generation College Student
-Family: Married Parents - two younger brothers
</code></pre>

<p>HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT...</p>

<pre><code>-Freshman:
Most rigorous schedule possible
GPA: (4.33/4.33 W, 4.0/4.0 UW)
-Sophomore:
Most rigorous schedule possible (3 Honors Classes)
GPA: (4.0/4.33 W, 4.0/4.0 UW)
-Junior:
Most rigorous schedule possible w/ exception of one class (2 AP, 2 Honors)
GPA: (4.0/4.33 W, 4.0/4.0 UW)
-Senior:
Most rigorous schedule possible (3 AP, 2 Honors)
GPA (So far...) : (4.0/4.33 W, 4.0/4.0 UW)
</code></pre>

<p>AP EXAMS Taken...</p>

<pre><code>-AP United States History: 4
-AP Language and Composition: 5
</code></pre>

<p>AP EXAMS I plan to take...</p>

<pre><code>-AP Spanish
-AP Literature
-AP Biology
</code></pre>

<p>SAT I SCORES... (disclaimer: these scores are from last year and are not that good... took them earlier this month and although new scores have not been released yet, I WILL INCLUDE EXPECTED SCORES IN PARENTHESES)</p>

<pre><code>-Math: 630 (690)
-Reading: 640 (720)
-Writing: 660 (750)
</code></pre>

<p>SAT II... (will be taking November 5th)</p>

<pre><code>-U.S. History (expected to be above 700)
-Literature (expected to be at least 730)
</code></pre>

<p>EXTRACURRICULARS...
(Most Important)
-Tae Kwon Do (Eleven Years) - Second Degree Black Belt
...Leadership Team/Junior Instructor
...Competitor in 4 Regional and National Tournaments: 8 awards (Trophies/Medals)
...Demonstration Team: Featured in exhibitions in front of audiences and on TV
-Piano (Eleven Years)
...Written 3 Original Compositions (Plan to send in as supplemental art examples)
...Featured in 5 Recitals
-Varsity Lacrosse (Five Years including this one and when I played as an 8th Grader)
...Lettered each year
...Second-leading goal scorer
...State Champion in 2009
...Team Captain
(Others)
-School Ambassador - Recruited for program's first year - featured on school commercial
-Student Gov. Association - Senior Class Vice President
-Fellowship of Christian Athletes - Head of Special Events and Fundraising Committee
-Leader of Scripture Study
-Member of Youth Group
-Writer for School Newspaper
-Model UN
-Helped build my house with my family</p>

<p>WORK EXPERIENCE...</p>

<pre><code>-Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Product Designer, Product Photographer, Assistant Sales Representative at Trade shows @ high-end athletic apparel company
(Spent last two summers solely as intern working at these jobs)
</code></pre>

<p>COMMUNITY SERVICE...</p>

<pre><code>-Junior Instructor at TKD Academy: 6-12 Hrs/Week for 7 Years
-Wakeboard Lessons: 20 Hrs
-Babysitting: 100+ Hrs
-School Beautification Project: 6 Hrs
-SPCA Foster-Parent: 140 Hrs.
</code></pre>

<p>SKILLS...</p>

<pre><code>-Great with computers
.Proficient in Microsoft Office and all Mac OSX applications
.Proficient in HTML, CSS, Javascript
</code></pre>

<p>ESSAYS...</p>

<pre><code>-Very strong - show my character, abilities, strengths, and potential
</code></pre>

<p>RECOMMENDATIONS....</p>

<pre><code>-From teachers: very strong, insightful, experienced opinions
-From Academic Counselor: very strong, insightful experienced opinion
</code></pre>

<p>My "HOOK(S)"...</p>

<pre><code>- While I have a broad range of ECs behind me, I also have considerable depth within each one. While I am actively involved in my Church, sports, work, or other ECs, I am able to balance all of them all with my academics.
- I also have given back to my community in ways that I can (not everyone can take a missionary trip to Haiti).
- I will be the first one in my entire family to go to college.
- I am passionate, and when I set my heart on something, I can accomplish it with excellence and inspire others.
- I have a unique story behind me (like most do), but I have analyzed and understood how it has shaped me into who I am, and how from that I have helped to shape others
- I have potential, dreams, and a clear plan on how to combine the two to reach success
</code></pre>

<p>Thank you all who took the time to read and deliberate over this. What I ask of you now is to consider my strengths and weakness on what I have listed to give me your opinion on what chance I have of getting into the colleges I listed. Please don't tell me to get my test scores up, but I will appreciate any insightful recommendations or tips on any specific or generic topics. Thank you again :)</p>

<p>Also, I forgot to mention that I am the President of the National Honor Society</p>

<p>bump…anyone?</p>

<p>It depends on how your scores improve in SAT I and what your get for scores in Subject test.<br>
Duke - based on scores
UVA - should be in
W&M - in
UR - in</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

<p>Just got my new scores… only improved in writing. Now 690. Does that blow my chances for Duke?</p>

<p>your SAT scores a a bit low… I don’t know. Unless you have something very very outstanding in EC or academics, I’d say its time to bite the bullet. If I were you, and bent on duke, I would ED, write a perfect essay, and pray.</p>

<p>oh, chance me back if you can. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1229666-chance-me-upenn-ed.html#post13354396[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1229666-chance-me-upenn-ed.html#post13354396&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Well I do believe I have several outstanding aspects in my ECs… and I’m extremely confident about my essay… how would ED benefit? Just get me in a smaller pool?</p>

<p>Unfortunately your chances are low for Duke/Penn/Stanford with your SAT scores under 2000. I think you still have a pretty good shot for UVA and W&M. </p>

<p>And I wouldn’t ED anywhere because everything but your stats are strong- you need to up that SAT score in November/December if you are serious about the top schools. ED will hurt you because it is a significantly stronger applicant pool and the acceptance rate is inflated by legacy/athletic recruits.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1229374-chance-duke-top-publics-will-chance-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1229374-chance-duke-top-publics-will-chance-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Your SATs are gonna definitely hold you back for Duke…
CR: 660 - 750<br>
M: 680 - 780<br>
W: 660 - 760
Your overall is lower than their 25%…
But your GPA is Excellent and Your ECs are Solid as well. Have you considered the ACT?</p>

<p>As for the rest of your list, In order to be comfortable I think you need at least one or two more financial safeties, the safest schools you have are UR and W&L and those institutions don’t always do what you suspect them to. The rest are all reaches!
I wish you lots of success though!Good Luck!</p>

<p>Chance me back?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1229512-last-chance-thread.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1229512-last-chance-thread.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>well it would increase your chances as they believe you really WANT to get into thier school. you see, RD (regular decision) acceptance rate is in the 10s around 17 percent I would say. and ED would boost you up to 36ish</p>

<p>I agree with most other people. You have really strong extracurriculars and accomplishments, but you really do need a better SAT score. If not that, then do the ACT. At least one. I’d also recommend making college visits if you can. It actually helps a lot.Your GPA also looks very solid. </p>

<p>Could you please chance me back? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1229793-chance-me-uchicago.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1229793-chance-me-uchicago.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I understand. I was kind of hoping that my essays, recs, ECs, and GPA would outweigh my shortcoming on the SAT… Would anyone recommend an interview with Duke? I have already interviewed at Richmond and W&M - both went great.</p>

<p>It might be hard to get one because the ED deadline for one has passed- if you are willing to wait for RD, then applying early will give you a good chance for one! I definitely recommend going RD for a better interview chance as well as boosting your scores. good luck!</p>