Chances at Duke

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello all.</p>

<p>Grade: Junior</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 Unweighted</p>

<p>SAT: 2040 superscored and 2030 not.
First try: Reading 630 - Math 710 - Writing 630
Second try: Reading 660 - Math 700 - Writing 670</p>

<p>I haven't taken the ACT or SAT subject tests yet.</p>

<p>I have taken 3 AP classes: Chemistry, English, and U.S. History
I have taken the most accelerated classes that are available to me.</p>

<p>I go to a public school in Connecticut and I am caucasian. My family is financially sound and I do not need any financial aid. </p>

<p>For extracurriculars, I am in the National Honor Society, FBLA, Robotics Club, World Cultures Club, Hope Club, Chess Club, Academic Decathlon, Swim team (1 year), and Rect. Swim Team (3 years). I have taken art classes for almost 8 years now, and I am apart of the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC). Under YCC, I have accumulated 50 hours of community service and am now a paid intern (Town employee, means work experience). I am apart of a evangelical church youth group, and I have 50 something hours of community service through that and the Hope Club (Volunteering club).</p>

<p>Honors and Awards: 6th in S class States swimming. Gold in Science and Gold in Accounting in Academic Decathlon. </p>

<p>Extra: Next year, I am studying abroad from August till January in Argentina. I don't know if this will help me on my application, I hope it will.</p>

<p>So I want to get into Duke. I want to use Early Decision, but I don't want to waste that on a school that is a far reach for me. What do you think my chances are? Objectively, should I apply with early decision or should I try for a different, less competitive school? Im also considering Boston College, but I like Duke more. Of coarse, there are a few more on the list, just these are my top two. </p>

<p>Thanks for your input, and any input is welcome.</p>

2

<p>Duke ED: Reach
Boston College: Match/High match</p>

3

<p>Should I do the early decision on Duke? And how do you think my studying abroad will play into all of this? I know you see so many of these things, but a bit more substance would be helpful.</p>

4

<p>I’m not sure how the study abroad would necessarily help you, but I know that duke evaluates you in context of your opportunities. So for example, your study abroad would not necessarily be the deal breaker between you and a similar applicant of a lower social strata.</p>

<p>But anyways, I think you’re on the right track, but you would be best off retaking the SAT. Shoot for at least 2100+ at the minimum in order for the SAT score to not obstruct you.</p>

<p>And by looking at your clubs, I can’t really see who you are, and what you’re really interested in. Have you done anything significant in this clubs? Any leadership? It is absolutely better to only list the clubs that you have done something in, received something in, and/or have leadership in. </p>

<p>Finally, whether you want to do ED is up to you. If financial aid is not a problem, than that is the main deterrent that we can toss out the window. Apply ED if you are 100% sure that duke is the place for you. Duke makes it clear that you receive a benefit in ED. And I don’t believe applying would be a waste for you. You’re a competitive applicant, but you do have your weak points, which I’m sure you can fix even this late in the game. Applying ED would not be a waste, but it’s up to you whether you want to.</p>

5

<p>How important are clubs in defining a student? I am interested in many different things, so I am in many different clubs, but I don’t hold leadership positions in any of them. I have done things in all of them, but I am not president or leader. I was hoping that the defining of a student would more come out in the interview and in an essay. This is also where studying abroad would take place, though. Leaving a country for several months to study in a different country helps to show that interests lie in language and cultural education. The leadership has been freaking me out, as I read how some people are president of everything under the sun. </p>

<p>Should I worry about that, and how can I go about fixing that? </p>

<p>I agree with the SATs, and I will work on raising my grade. </p>

<p>Thanks for your input, it has helped a lot.</p>

6

<p>Regarding the clubs, leadership definitely is important. But the way in which some people stress it can be terribly off the mark. It is always good to be leadership in whatever you do, but what a lot of colleges like to see is a passion. This passion is entirely individualized, and no one can determine what you truly have a passion in.</p>

<p>It sounds like you take pride and enjoyment in exploring everything you have available to you. It can’t always be expected that a high school student will have a niche that he has presumed since freshman year. Maybe that’s your “passion”, so to speak. Your enjoyment in exploring all the options that are available to you. </p>

<p>I wouldn’t worry about that, but it might be good to make that clear, along with your study abroad, that it defines you. And your studying abroad is certainly a good thing to mention. It always is. But I personally doubt that it will be considered as an objective value which could be compared among applications, simply due to the sheer accessibility of the trip. I wouldn’t hesitate to talk about it, though.</p>

7

<p>Great, thank you. That is very reassuring. </p>

<p>This is a more vague question that I should know the answer to, but I will ask anyway: How important is the essay? I am hoping extremely so, seeing as it is the only way an application can show individuality. Is it enough to turn an average application into an exemplary one?</p>

8

<p>Your SAT score is way too low. Bring it up to a 2200 (at least) and apply ED. Then pray! Good luck!</p>