Chances please

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

I was just wondering if you guys could chance me to see whether I should even plan a visit. Thank you so much.

Gender: Male
Race: White
Wealth: Poorer, qualifying for reduced lunches
Location: Pennsylvania
Major: Economics

Weighted GPA:4.81
Unweighted GPA:4.0
SAT:1400/1600 (690 M, 710 CR, 610 W)

Junior Year Schedule:
AP Euro (4)
AP Stat (4)
AP Comp (3 sadly)
AP Micro (5)
AP Macro (5)
Honors Physics
Honors German
Honors Trig

Sophomore Year:
-Honors English
-Honors Algebra 2
-Honors Chem
-German 3
-AP Human Geo (5)

Senior will be:
AP Lit
AP Calc AB
AP Psychology
AP Physics

Extracurricular:
-Marching Band (4 years)
-Jazz Band (3 years)
-Volleyball (4 years-2 on varsity)
-Economics Challenge
-Academic Challenge
-Volunteering at community events such as duck derbies, fairs and packing lunches for poor inter city children
-Attended Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week

Accomplishments:
-State Champion marching band
-Championship winning jazz band
-County champion/2nd in state/national qualifying academic challenge team
-State qualifying econ challenge team, getting fifth in state and receiving a perfect score

2

Be aware that for applications you need to submit either the SAT w/ 2 Subject Tests OR ACT w/ writing
I would say a reach, your SAT scores fall below the 25th percentiles on Writing and Math and just at the 25th percentile for Reading. Your GPA is fantastic, you have decent EC’s although none really stand out unless you can describe well what you accomplished and learned in any of them, your course load looks great which highlights the GPA. Raising your test scores would really help your chances, consider the ACT as well, you may do better on it than on the SAT, and work diligently on your essays. You should give Duke a visit if you are really interested in going there and its a top choice, however a visit is not necessary*

3

Retake the SAT. You need to shoot for at least the 25th percentile.

4

Thank you for your advice, I think I am going to try my luck with the ACT

5

Ok good luck on ACT. Highlight your economic situation (free lunch) in the essay somehow. Readers always have a soft spot in their heart for the underdog.