Chance me?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

I’m currently applying early decision to trinity.
I’m a Hispanic female with both parents born in Mexico.
ACT:34 (36 science and reading; taking again in September)
AP Scholar with Distinction
National Hispanic Scholar
National Commended Scholar
GPA: 4.0 unweighted
Rank: 1/424
Extracurriculars:
NHS President
Leo Club Secretary
Teacher of the Month Election Committee Vice President
Dance team Lt Colonel (officer for all 4 years)
Interact Club Member
Student Council Member

Awards:
UIL ready writing and literary criticism regional qualifier all 3 years, current district champ in writing, State alternate for ready writing
Have also done UIL math, calculator, number sense
VISD Top Ten Awards of Academic Excellence Award
VEHS Math award, and English award
TPSP District Showcase (individual project where I created a reconstructed cheating policy for the school)

Volunteer Work:
Have over 100 hours working in animal shelters, school festivals, TFME fundraisers, tutoring, etc.

Extracurricular Awards:
Have been a dance solo finalist/winner in numerous regional/state/national competitions that had over 60 girls competing.

Summer work:
Spent 2 summers at 3 week classes through Duke TIP in Algebra 2 and Modern Medicine
Attended Girls State
Took dual credit classes for 2 summers

Course work:
AP English Lang, AP Span, AP Calculus AB, AP Bio, AP World History, AP Eco, AP Gov, AP US Hist, AP Chem, Dual Credit Psych, Dual Credit Sociology

Senior year:
AP Environmental science, AP Statistics, AP English Lit, Dual Credit Human Anatomy Physio, AP Calculus BC, TPSP Research Project

Possible weaknesses: strength of extracurriculars and senior course load. I’ve ran out of AP Classes to take so I don’t have as much rigor as before.

My essays should be fine as well as my recommendations, and I’m hoping a possible interview goes well.

Possible hooks: both parents went to college but they’re both foreign born, URM, female

Any luck?? Thanks!

2

Your ACT score, GPA, and class rank are all excellent. Congratulations on being at the top of your class. Your extra-curriculars show that you’ve been very involved at your school, and while there’s nothing amazingly eye catching, I think they are still very strong. The rigor of your senior year can likely be explained away by the fact that you’ve run out of AP classes to take. Duke admissions will know that when they receive the school report. Your chances look great whether you choose ED or RD, but anything can happen. Best of luck.

3

Being of Mexican descent why did you take AP Spanish? Was this an attempt at an easy A? Why not learn a different foreign language?

4

Not at all an easy A. My parents raised me only learning English, so it wasn’t until high school that I started learning Spanish. Also Spanish is the only language that is offered beyond the first 2 years at my school, there is no other pre-ap or AP language course. In addition, being in the south Texas area, the most practical language for me to learn for future career goals would be spanish. My school report should reflect why I chose the subject.

5

Excellent chance.

6

Ok make sure this is clearly explained somewhere. Otherwise readers might make the same assumption I did.

7

Great school and you have a solid shot.

8

Being from South Texas could help with admissions. Good job.

9

You’re in everywhere. Not just Duke. Seriously. You’re an extremely, phenomenally well qualified URM and that’s something. Congrats.