Chances, Duke, and options

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, I live in Maine, low-mid class family. Race: White, and male.
Parents didn't go to college, sister went to community college, and another sister to a University.</p>

<p>I go to a small rural school, and am wondering if Duke is a match/reach or if there's better options in the long run. </p>

<p>SAT : 1710 first try, will take again
600 math
550 CR
560 WR (8 essay)</p>

<p>Probably will take the ACT this fall as well, and looking at math 2 subject test as well as physics/chem.</p>

<p>Gpa weighted is a 3.85, top of class (1/30)</p>

<p>Taking Ap bio, ap calc, ap english, only ap classes really offered, (no ap physics :( or any tasking computer classes) pretty much hard as it gets at my school. Waiting for Ap bio test score, think I got atleast a 3, and maybe a 4 if I'm lucky. </p>

<p>Looking to major in either Physics (main focus on astrophysics/aerospace engineering) or Computer Science (Not sure if hardware or software, probably broad for now).</p>

<p>EC's include sports, student council, NHS, boys state.
Might tour duke this summer. </p>

<p>Wondering what my chances are currently, what I should work on, and if I should consider a different school. Tuition will be a pretty huge factor since I literally have 0$ currently going into college, besides possible scholarships. I was wondering if I should not look at Duke considering it's quite expensive and if I should look at University Maine schools such as Orono for Computer Science, or Bates/Liberal arts for physics since they don't require Sat scores. </p>

<p>Also looking at really any types of colleges like USC, University of Miami, UNC, etc. But as an out of state I know it will be expensive and much more difficult to get in. Much appreciated for help at college. </p>

<p>Any more information required, just ask. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Very unlikely that you would get into Duke with those scores. The other schools you mentioned have mid 50% SAT scores much higher, so unlikely as well, though one never knows. Unless your test scores improve dramatically, it would be a real longshot to get into the schools you listed. Definitely need to consider some realistic safety schools.</p>

3

<p>If I do poorly on retaking the sats and don’t get atleast a 2000-2200, or a 34+ ACT, what would be recommended Computer engineering schools that would be good match safeties. UMaine Orono has a decent engineering program and would be very cheap, but I want the best name brand college for computer engineering I can get, with less than 60-80k Debt.</p>

4

<p>You have virtually no shot at Duke. However, having said that. There is no harm in applying. Specially if you improve your SAT scores by approximately 500 points.</p>

5

<p>You haven’t really given a picture about your ECs, which play a big part in admissions for colleges like Duke. That said, I have to agree with everyone above. Your scores are not on par with scores necessary to get into Duke. IF you do improve your scores to over 2000 on your SATs it’s HIGHLY worth applying considering your school profile and IF you get some decent ECs on your resume.</p>