<p>I'm a white male from Westchester, New York. My high school is ranked in the top public high schools, I think in the 600s or 700s. I've basically taken the most rigorous courses with the exception of honors English in 9th and 10th grade. The most APs anybody really takes is 6, which I would have had AP Stat fit in my schedule in 11th grade.</p>
<p>Scores and Grades
SAT: CR: 720, M: 770 , W: 790 (10)...1420/2210 in March and 1490/2250 in June. My essay in June was a 12, if that matters.
SAT II: Math II: 700 (retaking tomorrow and hoping for 750+), US History: 710
ACT: Took but not sending
GPA: I don't know how to convert my average but its 93.17 UW and 95.46 W (1.05 to honors and AP classes). Freshman year was my worst and sophomore year was my best
Rank: School doesn't rank but gives out deciles...Top 10%
4 on AP U.S. History
Senior Courses: AP English Literature, AP Bio, AP Calc AB, AP Spanish Language, Economics</p>
<p>ECs and Awards: (pretty weak)
National Honor Society (11,12)
Science NHS (11,12)
Spanish NHS (11,12)
Military History Club (11,12)
Concert/Marching Band (is it considered an EC?) (9,10,11,12)
Stage Band (11,12)
Young Republicans Club (12, Founding Member and Vice President)
JV Tennis (9,10...team captain in 10th grade)
Varsity Tennis (11,12)
Young Science Achievers Award and Grant (9)
National Latin Exam Level 1 (only year I could take Latin) Gold Medal (10)
National Spanish Exam Level 4: Honorable Mention (11)
Also, I write the police reports (basically write up the crime in town) for the town paper. I've been doing that since the summer going into 9th grade.</p>
<p>My recommendations will probably be decent from my teachers and excellent from my guidance counselor. My common app essay is very good and the supplement should be solid. Thanks alot</p>
<p>Any more chances? Also, would it be worth it to try to take the SAT again in November? I know that they say they can't guarantee they will get them. I think if I get a bit lucky I can get verbal up to like 750 and possibly the other two up a bit. It's unlikely, though. Thanks.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response! I'm nervous because I was deciding between Cornell and Duke. Both of my brothers and my dad went to Cornell so I have a lot of legacy there. My dad really wanted me to apply there early to Cornell because I would have a better shot there than at Duke (also I would have to fly to Duke etc). I'm just concerned I won't get into Cornell regular decision if I don't get into Duke early.</p>
<p>Also, do you think it's a bad idea to put young republicans on my app? My parents and brothers both said that it may not be a good idea as most colleges are liberal.</p>
<p>I would say you're definitely in a good position, as in you don't have too many things that will make them reject you. I want to definitely say your essay will make you if it's outstanding.</p>
<p>Young Republicans is not a bad idea.
So many people at Duke are so insanely conservative that I can't understand their beliefs on anything, ;), haha</p>
<p>I got a little problem. My dad wants me to go to do an overnight at Duke for one night and the another night I may stay with one of my brother's friends. He wants me to do an overnighter to make sure that I want to apply early decision. The problem is that the earliest I could possibly do that is October 20, which is after the deadline that the supplement must be in for ED applicants to be eligible for an interview. Do you think there's any way I can ask Duke for an interview even if I apply on, say, October 22. Thanks</p>
<p>I have one final question. Do you think it could be problematic that my common app essay is between 900 and 1000 words. The only reason I ask is that there's a thread somewhere about how the essay really shouldn't be that long but there is no maximum. What do you all think?</p>
<p>As long as the essay is compelling, you should be fine. In other words, make sure the admissions officers reading it don't realize it's 1,000 words.</p>
<p>Side note of advice: play with the margins of the word doc, change the font to 11, etc. Make sure it fits on two pages, but at the same time make sure it doesn't look like you're trying to fit it on two pages.</p>
<p>I got back my SAT II, which was a 760. Not a bad improvement I guess. I'm going down this weekend for an overnight which should be good. Any more chances?</p>