Chances Please!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>So I'm applying regular decision, and after hearing that Duke accepted so many more applicants than usual for early decision, I'm a nervous wreck! </p>

<p>RD Pratt
biomedical engineering</p>

<p>Female
White
Virginia suburb
middle class, will apply for financial aid</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 unweighted (out of a 4); 4.45 weighted (out of a 4.5)
Class Rank: 6/415</p>

<p>All A's all 4 years, rigorous classes with almost all AP and honors available</p>

<p>SAT I:
-680 CR
-740 Math
-670 Writing
SAT II:
-740 Math I
-710 Math II
-680 Chem (debating on whether to include in app?)</p>

<p>AP Classes: I have scores for the ones I've taken already...
World History (3)
Latin Literature
US History (4)
US government
Comparative government
statistics</p>

<p>Sports:
I am clearly an athlete, and I stressed this on my application by tying cheerleading and gymnastics into one of my essays.
-Varsity Cheerleading (Football/basketball and competition squads) 9-11, 6 varsity letters, Captain, Leadership Award, Coach's Award
-Varsity Gymnastics 9-12, 4 varsity letters, lots of medals/placings at district meets, Captain 2 years, Most Improved Award, Captain's Award
-Varsity Track and Field 11-12, 2 varsity letters
-Club Cross Country in 12th, varsity participation award</p>

<p>Clubs (the important ones):
-National Honor Society 10, 11, 12
-National Art Honor Society 10, 11
-Latin Club 9, 10, 11
-Technology Student Association 12 (currently working on a Biomedical engineering project for state competition, which I talked about a little in my "Why Pratt" essay)</p>

<p>I've gotten a ton of academic-type awards, but the biggest one was Sophomore Student of the Year.</p>

<p>I'm also a gymnastics coach for little kids ages 3-7 (since 10th grade), which I mentioned since it's a really big/time consuming part of my life.</p>

<p>Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, I know there's a lot of chances bulletins out there to answer :)</p>

2

<p>hmmm anyone?</p>

3

<p>I think you've got a decent chance, though it puzzles me that you're applying for engineering. You would do a lot better in Trinity because your humanities and math are really good but I think you lack in science. Have you ever participated in any engineering.science-y programs? Because if you have, you should definitely emphasize that.</p>

4

<p>Females have a better chance being admitted into engineering, if I'm not mistaken.</p>

5

<p>I'm working on a project in Technology Student Association that has to do with biomedical engineering and research, so I talked about that in one of my essays. Hopefully that will help. I've taken an honors lab science every year and i'm in physics this year, but i've never taken an AP course in science. will that hurt me?</p>

6

<p>I think it will hurt a little because most Pratt applicants have taken several AP science and AP math courses. As for math, have you taken AP Calculus? I think admissions officers would like to see that course on your transcript. On the other hand, your research sounds pretty interesting. If you could express your interest and passion for BME through your essay, then you might have a pretty good shot.</p>

<p>Your grades and class rank are great. That's really good to see. As for SAT scores, Duke requires 2 subject tests -- if you are not submitting ACT with writing. (And I think math I and math II only count as one subject test? I'm not sure about this but you should probably check on that.) Also, when you send your SAT scores, all of your scores show up (all reasoning and subject tests). So your chem score will be included no matter you want to send it or not. Your EC's look pretty strong and it should definitely help as long as you demonstrate your commitment. Good luck! :)</p>

7

<p>I've taken 2 semesters dual enrollment calculus (through the community college) and passed with an A so i have 10 calc college credits, but i dont think duke will give me that credit.</p>

<p>and i checked the sat II policy and youre right, the math I and II arent really considered 2 separate subjects. so its a good thing i decided to take that chem test.</p>

<p>Thanks for the help!</p>