Chances at Duke, Northwestern, Georgetown, Brown, UPENN...

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I am a junior and am wondering about my chances for early decision to Duke, Northwestern, Georgetown, Brown, and UPenn..</p>

<p>The following are my stats: </p>

<p>Location: I go to a very large public school in South Carolina of about 2300 students. </p>

<p>GPA: Unweighted: 3.99 (I have all A's, and all of them with an exception to a few are very high, but I don't know what constitutes for a 4.0); Weighted: 5.15</p>

<p>Class Rank: 3/658</p>

<p>Standardized Testing:
SAT: 1400; Verbal 650, Math 750;
SAT II's: I just took the World History SAT II and I am planning on taking Biology, Spanish, and Math II next year.
ACT: I am wondering if I should take this???</p>

<p>AP Classes:
I will have taken the following AP courses by the time I graduate: Human Geography, World History, Statistics, Calculus AB, English Language, Government, U.S. History, Biology, Computer Science, Spanish, English Literature, Physcology, Economics, Physics. - 14 AP's
(I have been doing well in these classes and I expect decent AP scores in all of my classes, although I have heard that colleges don't really consider your AP scores in the admission process).</p>

<p>Extra-Curriculars/Awards:
-Co-Captain of the Speech and Debate Team
(Awards include National Forensic League National Qualifier, Team State Champion, Superior Distinction Degree, All-American);
-Eagle Scout (Several Leadership positions and service projects in Boy Scouts and a part of scouting for 10 years);
-Youth in Government (Won elections for Youth Attorney General and Youth Governor of entire South Carolina region);
-Captain of the Academic Team (Nationally Qualified),
-National Honor Society,
-Beta Club.
-Student Council
-I have been excepted into a prestigious leadership class for the duration of the entire year.</p>

<p>-I have also had a job for a very long time and plan to be a part of an internship this summer. I have also started my own company in which I build websites for local companies and help repair computers.</p>

<p>-Along with my summer job, This summer I plan to attend Nationals in Speech and Debate, and attend a national Youth in Government Conference. I am also considering taking a Kaplan SAT Prep Course.</p>

<p>In my application to all of these colleges I plan to stress the development of leadership qualities throughout my extra-curricular's. I really want to stress Speech and Debate b/c that is my true passion and how politics has fueled my leadership.</p>

<p>If you guys can help me out, that would be wonderful. I know one of the first things you all will say are my SAT scores and how I will need to improve. I have taken that into consideration, so if possible please give me my chances accordingly. Thank You.</p>

2

<p>Duke: reach
Northwestern: slight reach
Georgetown: slight reach
Brown: reach
Penn: reach</p>

<p>You need to get your SAT's up to be taken more seriously. If you can land good SAT II's and a 2200+ you will be a very realistic candidate.</p>

3

<p>good shot at all of them.....</p>

4

<p>First, the Ivies--your AI is 217, but your problem as you know is your SAT (and possibly the SAT IIs--which you need to take three of for application to Ivy league schools). And the schools will consider your AP scores in the tests you took this year--don't kid yourself into thinking these won't count. You'll need to move up into the 220 range if you have no "hook"--and I don't see one here.</p>

<p>Let's talk about your ECs. The biggest problem I see here is that you list titles, but you don't talk accomplishments. That's fine for the section of the application where they ask for lists, but don't do that on your essay, or you'll be rejected in about two seconds. You say you want to go into politics (and have already been active in the Youth in Government program--but you need to indicate why). The same applies to your essay concerning your speech and debate expertise. Granted this website may not be the place to express it, but right now, I don't see indication of any passion for your major or future goals. You're going to need this to come through in all of your applications.</p>

<p>As far as your other schools--these are 2005 numbers:</p>

<p>Duke--average SAT 695/715
Northwestern--average SAT 687/702
Georgetown--average SAT 690/695
and all have GPA averages of around 3.88 to 3.92 UW.</p>

<p>So you're in the ballpark, but these last three schools are probably matches to slight reaches, because basically these schools can pick and choose and right now your ECs lack volunteer work and actual accomplishments. Of course, work on this and the SAT Is and IIs and this can change.</p>

5

<p>Methinks these are all reaches if the OP isn't a URM.</p>

6

<p>I have a lot of volunteer work, I just didn't specify it... I have been in boy scouts/cub scouts for 10 years and I have done numerous service projects including my eagle project. I have also done numerous hours for Beta Club and National Honor Society. And for the SAT II's, I'm planning to have 4 all together, I have already taken one, but I have not recieved my score.</p>

7

<p>Decent chance if you can raise your SAT 50-100.</p>

8

<p>I'd say you have a good shot at Duke. They tend to give a bit of leeway to Carolina applicants- not as much for SC, but still some. Your ec's look quite solid, but I would advise you to choose one to make the focus of your application. Your courseload and GPA are great. Your math score is good (better than mine was), but your verbal could do with a bit of improvement- shoot for at least a 700. SAT II's are important, but not as important as GPA and the SAT I (at Duke, at least). Recommendations are taken very seriously, so good letters will help. A good essay clearly articulating why you and Duke would be a good match is also needed for a successful application. </p>

<p>I would suggest looking, if you haven't already, at similar but less selective schools as matches. Davidson, Elon, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, and Emory immediately come to mind. Since you're from SC, applying to Clemson and/or Furman as a backup might be wise.</p>