Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>My guidance counselor feels that I'm a far reach for Duke. I would appreciate it if you could look at the information I have posted, and tell me my chances. Thank you!</p>

<p>Test Scores:
-SAT - 770, 640, 710 (2120)
-ACT - 31
-SAT II - Literature 640, US History 760, World History 670, Chemistry 710
-APs - World History 4, European History 4, English Language 4, Chemistry 4</p>

<p>Will be retaking both SATs and ACTs. Aiming for 2200 / 33 </p>

<p>Unweighted Grades (Listed as yearly averages, Included projected senior grades)
- History: H 84, AP 92, H 92, AP 93
- English: 79, 85, H 82, AP 90
- Science: 82, 91, 90, AP 90
- Math: 73, 71, 72, 80</p>

<p>ECs:</p>

<p>Newspaper (9-12)
Environmental Club (9-12)
Golf Team (12)
Interact Club (9-12)
Student Council (9-12)
Code of Conduct Review Committee Member (9-12)
Building Level Planning Team member (9-12)
Busser at restaurant (11-12)</p>

<p>Particular accomplishments or achievements:</p>

<p>In 10th grade I was the chairman of the Interact club's finance committee. I organized an auction / concert which raised over $20,000. This money was used to construct a medical clinic and school in Nicaragua.</p>

<p>In 9th grade I attempted to form a GSA, however, there was community push-back and it didn't happen.</p>

<p>In 9th grade a couple of my buddies and I were lamenting how no one our age seemed to know about world events. In response, I arranged for two flat screen televisions to be placed in the cafeteria through the Student Council which I was / am a member of. They are tuned to CNN and the students still love them.</p>

<p>Attedned RYLA and HOBY.</p>

<p>In the summer of 11th grade I interned for the president of an investment company with over $40,000,000 on the books. (Can't go into specifics due to a confidentiality agreement)</p>

<p>I organized a concert for a local man who became paraplegic after a car accident. It raised over $1,000 which went towards his medical expenses. </p>

<p>Personal Profile:
-White
-Income below 50,000 USD,
-First Generation
-Will receive great teacher/ counselor recs</p>

2

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<p>What is your school’s grading scale? If it’s >90 = A, >80 = B, >70 = C, then, well, your grades don’t look good enough for Duke. What’s your class rank? What’s the breakdown of your SAT (i.e. what section did you score a 640 on)? Writing is not as important…but if the 640 is Verbal or Math, that’s also a major concern (although ACT probably better).</p>

3

<p>School doesn’t rank. Unweighted GPA comes to 3~ . SAT listed as CR, M , W</p>

4

<p>I agree with far reach.</p>

5

<p>I was told something incredibly similar by my GC, that Duke would be a far reach. My stats are posted here (if you would like to compare):
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/duke-university/1162883-chance-meh-duke-ed.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/duke-university/1162883-chance-meh-duke-ed.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Keep in mind that Duke is an incredibly difficult school to get into and so it could just be that your GC was keeping the overall acceptance rate in mind.
Otherwise I would recommend to retake the SAT and focus on the Math section as well as a couple of the SAT IIs you may want to bring Lit and W.History (although that maybe hard since the test is offered so few times throughout the year) up to 700s. I believe scores in the 600s are subpar for Duke.
Also your GPA could use improvement. Try to get your senior your projections higher. If you’re applying ED then its pointless but if you’re applying RD get those grades up.</p>