<p>"Finally, Duke will be difficult because your location (unlike in the case of the other schools) won't give you an advantage."</p>
<p>False. In fact, geographically, Duke may be your best shot at an "elite". Duke's charter mandates that a significant portion of each class come from the Carolinas. And, applicants from the Carolinas are eligible for regional merit scholarships.</p>
<p>Wait, I did do the Chem. Olympiad my Sophomore year, thanks for reminding me. Felt kindof odd because I was the only sophomore there out of about 8 people. Thanks, I completely forgot about that.</p>
<p>The thing is untill I actually started looking at colleges this year I never heard of most of these things. Even the Chem Olympiad went something like this:</p>
<p>Teacher: Wanna go to a Chemistry competition? I'm picking two people to send.
Me: Sure, why not?</p>
<p>Hey. I think you stand a very real shot at MIT. The admissions department consists of some truly great people who consider CONTEXT above all else in an application. Considering your background you seem to be an ambitious and resilient person- and they really like admitting those :) I see your grades as possibly problematic. Passion and innovation and potential aside, you have to show that you're fully able to handle the work at MIT. They're very careful about admitting academically borderline students (for good reason) because, really, valedictorians and people who've never received anything but A's in their most difficult high school classes get here and fail beyond their wildest dreams. There, resilience is important, but there is no use for it unless the capacity is there to understand and learn the material. Your SAT scores are strong- that will help, but I think more importantly your midyear reports will need to be immaculate.</p>
<p>Best of luck :)</p>
<p>Did you get in?</p>