<p>Firstly, mods, this needs to be moved to the “What Are My Chances?” forum.</p>
<p>Otherwise, I usually don’t humor Chances threads, but I’m bored and went to a Duke info session a few weeks ago. </p>
<p>Your SAT scores are shaky. If you’re a junior, I advise hiring a tutor or getting a College Board book of practice tests (or use the xiggi method–search for it). You need to be at the upper end of the middle 50%, especially since your race isn’t doing you any favors. Outside of that, your ECs are all over the place, classic laundry list. I have no clue what kind of a person you are–what are you interests? what kind of career will you pursue in the future? </p>
<p>My recommendation, though I have a hunch it’ll make you feel uncomfortable, is to cut absolutely all of your ECs that don’t have meaning to you. Focus, focus, focus. Be ruthless. I go to a school with three thousand clubs as well, so I understand the pressure to have a presence in all of them. Not necessary. What you need is a substantial influence in one, maybe two, areas. Have you won debate tournaments? If so, run with that. Get on those tournaments remaining (states, NFL quals, CNFL quals, etc). If dancing is a big part of your life, continue that, and consider launching ancillary programs, like teaching younger kids how to dance. What you need to demonstrate is talent, drive, and initiative, not your ability to slog through every club meeting in school. </p>
<p>In short, work on: 1) SATs and 2) Focusing your ECs. The great thing is that you’ll be left with more time to devote to your classes and those ECs you continue after quitting the filler ones. This will garner you impressive recs and, with any luck, a few tangible awards as well. Remember that Duke is particularly fond of one statistic, and that’s how many valedictorians they reject. What I take from this is not to ignore rank or grades but that they’re looking for something beyond that, some ineffable interesting-ness in a person beyond whether or not they can put their nose to the grindstone.</p>