Chances? Please and thank you!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>Ok, I have been looking at Duke for a while, and after visiting campus and
thinking about everything, it is my clear number 1, so I will be applying ED (from NC, too). I want to do engineering and (possibly) attempt to double
major. Anyways, please take a minute and let me know my chances of being a Blue Devil next fall!</p>

<p>Applying to Pratt</p>

<p>-Gender: M
High School: Public</p>

<p>Academics:
GPA - Unweighted: 3.83
GPA - Weighted: 4.71
Class Rank: top 5%, 18/562</p>

<p>Course Load:</p>

<p>-9th
Honors Geometry (B)
Honors English 1 (B)
Spanish 1
Band
Band
Honors World History
Gym
Honors Biology</p>

<p>-10th
Honors Chemistry
Honors Algebra 2
Spanish 2
Band
Honors Psychology
Honors English 2
Honors Civics and Economics
Honors Band</p>

<p>-11th
AP US History (B)
Band
Honors Spanish 3 (B)
Honors Precalculus
Honors Band
AP English 3
AP Environmental Science
AP Psychology</p>

<p>-12th
Honors 20th Century Classics
AP Calculus AB
Honors Physics
AP Music Theory
Band
AP Physics
AP Calculus BC
AP English 4</p>

<p>Test Scores:</p>

<p>SAT I Math: 770
SAT I Critical Reading: 700
SAT I Writing: 720
(subject tests taken today, but with the ACT I shouldn't need them)
ACT Composite: 35
ACT English: 36
ACT Math: 36
ACT Reading: 36
ACT Science: 31 =( will this hurt me since I am trying for engineering?!?</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Marching Band (9, 10, 11, 12)
-Section Leader- Alto Saxophones (12)
-Band Council- Librarian (12)
-Line Crew (11)
-Earned Letter (9, 10, 11)
-Outstanding Section: Alto Saxes (10)
Wind Ensemble (10, 11, 12)
-Bassoon Section Leader (11, 12)
-Instrumental Achievement Award (10)
-Extra Effort Award (10)
Science Honor Society (11, 12)
-Recycling Coordinator (11, 12)
-Energy Savers Committee Chairman (12)
Peer Mentoring (11, 12)
Tri-M Music Honor Society (11, 12)
-Vice President (12)
Science Olympiads (12)
National Honor Society (11, 12)
Jazz Band (11)
Pit Orchestra (11)
Concert Band (9)</p>

<p>Athletics
Swimming- Varsity (10)
Track- Varsity (9)</p>

<p>Volunteer/Service Work:
Habitat for Humanity (2008)
Winterblast! Volunteer (2006-2008)
Marching Band Invitational Volunteer (2005-2008)
Relay for Life (2008)
School Recycling Program Coordinator (2007-2008)
Energy Savers Committee Chairman (2008)</p>

<p>Work Experience:
Lifeguard (2008)</p>

<p>Essays/Recommendations:
For my personal statement essay on the common app, I am writing about my parent's divorce and how I grew to be more independent because of that, and I think it is pretty good.</p>

<p>My "Why Duke?" essay hopefully will sound good and sincere, since I honestly do REALLY want to go there. I mention Pauly dogs, K-ville, and school spirit, though, is that a good idea?</p>

<p>I am not sure about my recommendations, since the teacher I would really like to have do it (my AP english 3 teacher) is no longer at our school, so hopefully I can get in touch with her (she'd write a great one). For the 2nd one, I don't even know who will write it for sure, but I am leaning towards my physics teacher, since he probably has a pretty high opinion of me since I am working with him to learn AP Physics C (that course technically isn't offered at our school, so I'm technically enrolled in B). Also, what would adcoms think of a third recommendation? I have a third teacher who could probably write a good one too, but since he is also an english teacher I thought maybe I should get a recommendation someone a little bit different from (and more related to engineering than) the first teacher.</p>

<p>Any and all comments, suggestions, advice would be great! Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I'm a Duke ED applicant as well so I may not know as much as current students. You chanced me earlier before your ACT was in and I gotta say your score is pretty ballin' and makes me a lil less excited about my 33. </p>

<p>Ok, so i think your stats look really good and Duke quality. I'm glad you are applying to Pratt and not Trinity (my intended school) because I don't really see any glaring weaknesses. I have seen stronger ECs because you don't have too many clear leadership positions but you do appear to have been active, so i dont think that will hurt you. Your 35 ACT is AWESOME, so subject tests shouldnt matter. I wont submit mine either (33 ACT and not so hot on the SAT II today i think). You seem great in course rigor, testing, and GPA...and solid in the EC department. As we all know, Duke is so selective that there is never a sure thing but I like your chances. Being from NC helps a lot (awesome because im a native too) so that gives you a boost. Everything else being solid should be enough to get you in as long as you put time into your essays and let the adcom know you will bring something to the community. In my personal opinion, which doesnt matter much, I think you are most likely in. I would be slightly suprised if you got a defer/rejection but obviously never shocked to see Duke turn away anyone. Best of Luck! By the way, where in NC are you from?..Just like a general area since its online -- like Raleigh region, Charlotte area, Winston-Salem, Eastern NC, etc? I'm outside the Raleigh area. Good luck on the acceptance on the 15th!</p>

3

<p>thanks for the input schoolsearching (your confidence in me is much appreciated, haha). anybody else have any thoughts/advice?</p>

4

<p>any other opinions?!?</p>

5

<p>From what I've heard applying ED to Duke and being a North Carolina resident is practically a sure acceptance as long as you manage a Math+Verbal composite of 1400 or higher or an ACT higher than 32.
You have a 1470 SAT, 35 ACT, and are from North Carolina- I would be incredibly surprised if you didn't get in!</p>

6

<p>SWEET!!! If what mondo says is true, im in too with the 33 ACT and NC residence. Hope hes right and we both get in!</p>

7

<p>Applying to Pratt is also typically more objective (i.e. high numbers you get in, relatively low numbers you don't). Being a NC resident (NC acceptance rate overall is about 40%, I think = double the pct from elsewhere), applying ED, 35 ACT (no a 31 in science won't hurt you; that's probably only 2-3 wrong as science scores drop quickly since quite a few people get them all right/only one question wrong; you prob misread the question/made a silly mistake though; 36 English = all 75 questions right; congrats on getting all other 36s!), 3.83 GPA, all A's in math and science except for one B in geometry freshman year, enthusiasm, all point to an acceptance. I'd put it at 85%, but nothing is a guarantee. If you don't bomb the essay/interview/recommendations, I'd be willing to bet money you'll get in. Good luck!</p>