Chances at Duke and Stanford?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>GPA
unweighted: 3.87
weighted: 4.45</p>

<p>Class Rank: 20/750</p>

<p>SAT I:
Verbal 700
Math 790
Writing 720
Essay 9</p>

<p>SAT II:
Literature 640
Physics B 800
Math IIC 800</p>

<p>ACT 32</p>

<p>PSAT 227</p>

<p>APs:
US History 4
Psychology 5
Physics 5</p>

<p>Senior classes:
Advanced (Post AP) Chem and Physics
AP Composition & Literature
AP Bio
AP French
AP Calc BC
Band
AP Econ & Government</p>

<p>School:
Large, public, wealthy, midwest, suburban, around 3000 students</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Piano since age 3, NSMTA Honorable mention, Chicago Duo Piano Competition Winner, Participation in Chicago Duo Piano Festival for 7 consecutive years, 2005 Junior Assistant Coach, Pitten Austria International Music Festival, overall virtuoso</p>

<p>Marching Band (trombone), Competition Band, Pep Band, Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, orchestra pit (school musical), section leader</p>

<p>Modern Music Masters Vice President</p>

<p>Wrote a piece of music for a small wind ensemble as a supervised independent study project</p>

<p>Hopes for Hope volunteer program in Ensenada, Mexico</p>

<p>Race: Mexican American</p>

<p>``````````````````````````````````````````````````</p>

<p>Right now, Duke and Stanford are my top choices. What are my chances at these schools and what should my good fit and safety schools be? </p>

<p>Should I use the October SAT to take more SAT IIs? Should I retake the Lit SAT II? Or should I use the test date to retake the SAT I?</p>

2

<p>First off, and least importantly, there's no Physics B SAT II, just the Physics SAT II.</p>

<p>That being said, your stats (GPA and the IIC/Physics aside) are a little weak for Stanford, and a little weak for Duke. That means you need to either raise the SATs above 2300 or have really strong ECs. I see a lot of devotion to music, but not much else--very little diversity in your activities. But all and all it's not a bad thing, and if you really are a virtuoso at age 17 (in other words if you're a prodigy), you could probably get in on that. It sounds like you're really into music, so if you do it really really well... well, obviously that boosts your chances. Any school would like a world class pianist (if you are one.) However, the musician/scholarship competition is really really tough--there are a lot of people with similar devotions to music (I can't comment on their skill level versus yours) and higher test scores. I'm not familiar enough with Chicago Duo Piano Competition to say anything intelligent about it; if you're good enough to go to Juliard/NEC/Eastman/Curtis it'll probably be a boost, but otherwise don't count on it. The volunteering looks nice (not to mention it's a good thing to do), but I don't know how much it'll help your app.</p>

<p>Anyways, best of luck, and don't take anything I said too seriously as I'm not an adcom or anything.</p>

3

<p>I meant AP Physics B and just SAT II Physics</p>

<p>Also, I won my schools concerto competition with the Grieg piano concerto and also won the American Symphonietta Concerto Contest.</p>

4

<p>And how much will applying Early Decision to Duke or Early Action Single Choice to Stanford affect my chances?</p>

5

<p>Also, I spend a couple hours every day helping my mom out with her oil painting business.</p>

6

<p>i agree with blendecho that your EC's are good but very focused towards music. Maybe you should focus more on broadening your EC's and I guess try to bring up you SAT I?</p>

7

<p>I'm confused. You're hispanic, that'd be a URM; doesn't that mean that, with your grades and SAT scores, you have an excellent shot? </p>

<p>Right?</p>

8

<p>I'm sure I'll sound like an idiot for asking, but what is URM an abbreviation for? I've seen it on this site several times, but nowhere else.</p>

9

<p>Under-represented minority. Blacks, hispanics, native americans, etc. Btw, dont worry...I was scratching my head over that one for a few weeks.</p>

10

<p>omg, stanford and duke are literally matches, not reaches for someone with good grades and test scores being a URM. plzzz ppl.</p>

11

<p>No offense, but school concerto competitions aren't too prestigious by any means, unless you go to music school. Do you have a recording or something? I really have no idea how much music would help you. Anyways, I don't think that Stanford or Duke are really matches, despite URM... he's from a wealthy, suburban school he says. Maybe Stanford reach, Duke slight reach. I'd apply Duke EA/D if I were you; that might bolster your chances. I would be a little surprised if you got into Stanford EA, but I think you have a good shot at Duke EA.</p>

12

<p>Duke is focused on bolstering its arts programs at the moment. Presumably, you want to continue pursuing music in college. So, you know, do some research and essay how your ECs connect to how you'll contribute and why you'll benefit from music programs at Duke.
FYI, admissions forwards supplemental materials like piano recordings, compositions, etc to music faculty for evaluation. Two years ago, all 37 apps the Duke music faculty recommended based on supp. mats were admitted.
So...you may have a great hook. For Duke. </p>

<p>Stanford, I have no idea.</p>

13

<p>blendecho, how in the world can you say his SAT scores are a little weak? the mean SAT score for Stanford was a 1470, and Duke's was lower. His score is very comprable to that.</p>

<p>Secondly, you seem intent on discrediting his ECs because he focuses on music. Almost all applicants are very focused on a specific area. His passion for music can only be construed as a positive quality. Perhaps he does need a little diversification, but you are unfairly criticizing his application "statistics."</p>

<p>Do not talk with such assurance and confidence. Neither of us is an admissions representative, and to talk as such, especially in such a critical manner, is foolish. I understand this is a "What are My Changes?" forum, but that does not mean you can assume a greater level of expertise than you actually own.</p>

14

<p>He's mexican american, of course he stands a freaking chance!!! </p>

<p>His stats are waaayy better than what most "hispanics" have been posting on cc.</p>

15

<p>iv4me, perhaps you should read peoples' posts before you bash them. In my first post, I said "Anyways, best of luck, and don't take anything I said too seriously as I'm not an adcom or anything." He asked for chances, and I gave him my honest opinion--if his music is really good he's a really good candidate. I've also repeatedly said that I have no way to evaluate his chances without knowing how good a pianist he is, and I'm not making any judgement one way or the other on it. I think you should reread my posts before you make derogatory statements about what I'm saying.</p>

16

<p>yes, you have good chances at both.</p>

17

<p>You being Hispanic will help you more at Duke than at Stanford. Suggest you apply to Duke Early and see what happens. Think that's your best chance between both schools.</p>

18

<p>What test should I take/retake for the october SAT date? I think I could do fairly well on the French SATII.</p>

19

<p>Did you take APUS this past year? If so, if I were you I might go for that... it's kind of a low 800 chance because there's not that much curve, but if you know your stuff you could do well. But in the end it's just whatever you think you'd do best in. I have a lot of friends who got the same score on the exam as you did and got middling 700s.</p>

20

<p>No, I took APUS sophomore year.</p>