Chances at Duke???

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

Duke has been my absolute dream school for forever, but I know my test scores probably won’t cut it. However, I would like some feedback.

SAT: 1150 (610 Reading 540 Math)
ACT: 24
GPA: 4.05 Weighted (3.9 Unweighted)

White, Upper-Middle Class, LGBT, Virginia Resident

Extra Curriculars:
Theatre: (State Representative for International Thespian Society, Executive Cast for Thespian Troupe, Publicist for Company, Honor Thespian, Actor and Technician, won 3 awards for outstanding performance, more than 6,000 collective hours spent throughout high school)
Young Democrats: (co-founder of school’s chapter and community outreach rep)
National English Honor Society: (Vice President)
Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society: (Hospitality Advisor)
Student Council Association: (Secretary Freshman Year, Executive Board Senior Year)
Academy Advisory Board: (Member)
National Honor Society: (Member)
Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society: (Member)
Gifted Advisory Board: (Member)
Principal’s Advisory Board: (Theatre Representative)

Awards:
Principals of American Citizenship Award for Fairness
Honor Thespian for Dedication to Theatre Arts
3rd place One Act at State Level

Paid Work:
Waiter at Retirement Community for (1yr)
Hostess at California Pizza Kitchen (present)

Internships:
Interned at Local Courthouse
Interned with prestigious local Theatre Company

Schooling:
Attended an Early College Scholar Law-based Academy at a public high school with a concentration in Criminal Justice.
Taken 7 AP Courses (not intending to peruse credit for scores)
Completed a full legal research project and presentation on Standardized Tests and their negative effects on children and hosted a test-optional college fair in support of the paper.

I am planning on submitting an Art Supplement for Theatre and intend on double majoring in Theatre and Psychology, if it helps.

2

To be honest, Duke is hard to get in with perfect scores. Even with top stats, the admissions rate is about 9%. I would still study and re-take SAT/ACT for a higher score. Ambition should always supersede the school you go to. If not, it’s not really an ambition. Focus on affordable schools that are a good fit based on your career interests.

3

You need to get your test scores up to be in the ball park.

4

You have no chance of getting into Duke with a 24 ACT score and 1150 SAT score. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but it’s the truth. Given your high GPA, it seems that you are capable of doing much better. Since you come from a family of means, it might be worth it to hire a one-on-one tutor to get those scores up.

5

Guttentag in interviews has said that they do admissions in two rounds, cutting those who are not academically qualified in the first. If you want a chance to get past R1, study study study for one of the next SAT or ACT tests

6

The common application has a section where it asks about whether or not you are willing to get contacted for an interview by a DUKE Alumn. Are there any advantages or disadvantages to giving or not giving the interview?

7

u need to get ur ACT score up.