Cubans new chances for Duke. Help me out!

<p>I am looking for input about my chances at Duke. I am a hispanic living in North Carolina. I hope to be the first to go to college in my family. I am going to apply ED.</p>

<p>Stats: 14/359 top 4%
GPA: 3.961uw 4.586w
all A's except for a B+ in Ap English 3
ACT:33 36e/33m/33r/29s 10essay
SAT: I don't think I am going to send bc of writing score is soo low but old one is 650v/690m and with writing is 590w= 1930 combined 10essay
Ap: don't know my scores on the tests yet
stats-took
eng 3-took
bio-next year
calc-next year
eng 4-next year
EC:
-Marching Band(Band manager, section leader, been to Nationals and Regionals)
-Piano lessons
-Alter Server( one of oldest members)
-Youth Choir(founding member, help direct-I guess co director-sang and play clarinet)
-Youth Group(youth council member, lead Confirmation retreat and Annual Square Dance)
-Tri-M Honor Society(founding member, nominated for VP, caroled at nursing home and put together Senior Prom dance)
-Beta Club(member)
-Jazz Band (keyboard player)
-Rely for Life(created a booth and team)
-Walk for Diabetes(participant)
Summer:
- Summer Ventures of Science and Math at East Carolina U.
- Volunteer at Vacation Bible School
- Junior volunteer at North East Hospital in Lab
- Volunteer at Carolina's Medical Center University in ER
Honors:
- Ventures Scholar
- USAA National Scholar
- A Honor Roll
- US History Award given by teacher to one student a year
Work:
-Cashier at Zaxby's</p>

<p>Just wondering if there is any input. I think I am going to write my essay about an autopsy I got to see and the Why Duke? I am not sure of something interesting to say besides the usual. I went on a tour of campus thinking of using that in essay.</p>

<p>Since my mom is a single mother do I have to give my Father's info. on the general part of the application? i can give his name but i don't know much more.</p>

<p>What other schools would be a good match? Thanks for your input.
Kayla</p>

<p>Excellent chance. You would have a good shot at any school.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Since my mom is a single mother do I have to give my Father's info. on the general part of the application?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Yes, you do. Start finding out about Duke's process for obtaining a non custodial waiver. This could delay your receiving financial aid.</p>

<p>Will you be applying as an international student. If yes please remember that the university met full-demonstrated need for a limited number of international students applying for first-year admission. Because financial resources are limited, each year Duke expects to enroll 20-25 first-year foreign citizens with need-based financial aid.</p>

<p>From their application :</p>

<p><a href="http://www.duke.edu/web/ug-admissions/apply/PDFs/Instructions.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.duke.edu/web/ug-admissions/apply/PDFs/Instructions.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Foreign Citizens Who Are Not U.S. Citizens Or Permanent
Residents Applying For Financial Aid
(1) Answer “yes” to the question regarding financial aid status on the
Personal Data Sheet (Question 21 on Form 1). This may affect the
decision of the Admissions Committee, since need-based financial aid will be available to a limited number of foreign citizens. You will receive your financial aid notification at the same time as the offer of admission only if you check “yes” and file forms by the appropriate deadline.</p>

<p>(2) Submit the International Student Financial Aid Application along
with a copy of your family’s most recent national tax forms. Also, please
have your parents’ employers provide, in English, statements that outline the annual income and benefits received in connection with their current employment. The aid application is available through Duke’s Financial Aid Office Web site, <a href="http://www.finaid.duke.edu%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.finaid.duke.edu&lt;/a>. If you are an international student living with your family in the United States, you should submit the same application materials the university requires for U.S. citizens except the FAFSA. Submit all financial aid application materials along with your application for admission.</p>

<p>I was born in US my dad wasn't. Can I get a waiver for my father since he is not a custodial parent and will not be paying for my college. I am worried that they will want him to pay and he is not legally required to. When do I know what my FA package is if I apply ED?</p>

<p>
[quote]
Can I get a waiver for my father since he is not a custodial parent and will not be paying for my college. I am worried that they will want him to pay and he is not legally required to.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>That is why it is call a non custodial parent waiver because you do not live with him. </p>

<p>Even though he is not legally responsible for your education, the college believes that parents have a moral and social responsibility to help pay and are the first source in paying for their child's education. I hate to say it , but the colleges do not care about court agreements concerning payment of tuition. Basically he would be telling the school to let someone elses parents pay for your education (the money used for grants and scholarships often comes from the school endowment which theoretically is money other people's parents have given).</p>

<p>You are correct, they will want him to hel pay and whether he agrees to pay or not his income is going to be used in calculating your financial aid.</p>

<p>Failure to submit a non custodial waiver (Duke will decide what is need and whether or not you qualify for a waiver) or to provide his financials may mean that you could be without aid due to imcomplete applications or missing the deadlines.</p>

<p>You need to have a long talk with your father and explain to him that you will need his help and his cooperation in the college process. Until you get this straightend out, it is not in your best interest to apply ED because you may end u not having the $$ that you need.</p>

<p>i plan to apply anyway and see what happens. i know it is binding but if i don't get any aid my mom won't sign for a loan so they will have to release me. i am not going to worry about money until i get in and that is if i get in</p>