<p>Hi all, I like many others in this forum, am a Junior in High School (Fairfax County in VA) and would like your opinion on my chances of getting in to Duke (most likely will apply Pratt, but considering Trinity as well because I like both computer engineering and econ)</p>
<p>Courses/GPA (as of end of Sophomore year-4.1)</p>
<p>Freshman Year: 4 honors courses (core classes), comp sci, spanish 2 (All A's A-'s but A's in
cores)</p>
<p>Sophomore Year: AP Stat (A-), AP World History (B+... i suck at history), HN Pre-Calc (B+... .08 from an A- but not that colleges would know that), HN Chem (A), HN English (A-), Spanish 3 (B)</p>
<p>Junior Year (1st Semester): APUSH (A), AP Lang (A), AP Macroeconomics (A-), Spanish 4 (A-), Physics HN (A), AP Calc BC (B), Creative Writing (A)</p>
<p>Classes I will take Senior year: Multivariable Calculus, AP Comp Sci A, AP Comp Gov, AP Physics C, Political Science, AP Spanish, AP Literature</p>
<p>Sophomore year was a total mistake, and a GPA killer. I slacked, and please note that it does not represent my academic ability whatsoever (again, I know colleges won't know that). In addition, I have the most rigorous curriculum of my entire Junior Class. Finally, it is clear that my Math grades are not stellar for applying to an engineering school, but please note that with my 3rd quarter performance, an A- in Calc BC is very possible/likely.</p>
<p>Extracurriculars
Debate- 9, 10 (varsity captain), 11, 12 (guaranteed varsity captain)
awards: 3rd in district, 4th in region, 7th in state, (likely 1st in another state tournament<br>
and district tournament coming up next month)</p>
<p>Writing Center Tutor- 11 (12). This is a prestigious English organization in our school. Tutors
are picked by teachers. about 20 tutors out of the entire school</p>
<p>NHS member- 10, 11 (officer), 12 (guaranteed atleast VP, likely President)</p>
<p>1st in school science fair- 9 (went on to get 2nd in regionals)</p>
<p>2nd/3rd in school science fair- 10,11</p>
<p>Volunteer at Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum- 8, 9, 10, 11 (have been a distinguished
unpaid "explainer" for a year. This is a job meant for college students, but I have
it somewhat unofficially as a High school student). I have lost track of my hours (200+)</p>
<p>Possible extras
VA Governor school applicant for Humanities. I made it to the State cuts, and historically,
applicants who make it to this final round from Fairfax county are always accepted</p>
<p>I applied for an economics/computer science internship with a GMU professor to work at the
Center for the Study of Neuroeconomics (CSN w/ professor McCabe). Obviously I haven't
gotten this internship yet, but my brother interned with this professor before and the
professor loved him. Also, I have the programming skills necessary for the job that all
students normally learn after they are accepted (so my chances of getting it are really
high)</p>
<p>Virtually guaranteed an internship at Capitol Hill for 2nd semester of Senior year through my
Political Science class/teacher (unless I get the above internship, which in the case I do,
I will continue in place of this one)</p>
<p>SAT
Superscore (2220)- 690 CR, 780 Math, 750 Writing (10 essay)
1 sitting breakdown- 690 CR, 780 Math, 720 Writing (10 essay)</p>
<p>I am retaking the SAT in May. I was very unprepared for my 2nd SAT and was forced by my parents to take it. I have been and will continue to practice for the May SAT and am confident in my ability to score 2250+ even 2300+ based on my practice test scores.</p>
<p>I am an exceptional writer, and am familiar with college essay prompts. As a result, I am sure I can write fantastic essays</p>
<p>I am learning two programming languages right now (LSL and C++) and will test for certification over the summer.</p>
<p>CONCLUSION</p>
<p>I know my GPA isn't amazing (but ok considering my course rigor), and My SAT is not superb either. But the final questions, taking in to consideration that I will apply ED are: </p>
<p>1) Will I get in if I get a better SAT score (2300), Gov school, the internship, good Junior year grades, and a good senior midyear report?
2) If I get none of those, and do not get any other "possible" resume boosters, how slim are my chances?
3) Is Duke the school for me? If not, any suggestions as to other schools I should consider (in terms of your answers to questions 1 and 2)</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read through and give me a proper answer!</p>