Duke and my chances...

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Well, this is it. Every test/application/resource neccessary for college admissions is done with and submitted. I'm banking heavily on regular decision at Duke, and I applied to Pratt (Biomedical Engineering as 1st choice, Electrical as 2nd.)</p>

<p>How do my chances look guys?</p>

<p>Rank: 54/807</p>

<p>SAT I: New: 2300 (Math: 800 Reading: 740 Writing: 760)
SAT II's: Math IIC: 720 Physics: 710 Literature: 700 </p>

<p>AP Tests: Calculus AB (5) English Language (5) Statistics (3) World History (3)</p>

<p>Senior Year Classes: Calculus BC AP, Physics AP, Biology AP, Latin Vergil AP, English GT AP, Macroeconomics AP, Anatomy & Physiology, U.S. Government, Microeconomics AP, Teacher Aide.</p>

<p>Accomplishments and Extracurricular:</p>

<p>National Merit Semifinalist
JV Tennis (9-10)
Winner’s Circle (9-12) Organization promoting drug and alcohol-free students
Chess Club (9-12): Undefeated Champion all four years (been doing chess for long time)
Latin Club (9-12) Lots of Area, NLE awards
Junior Classical League (9-12)
Key Club (11-12): Reporter (12)
Underclassmen Honor Society (9-10)
National Honor Society (11-12)
Math Club (11-12)
Orchestra (JV 9, Varsity 10): Concertino Region Orchestra (2nd violin sect, freshman)
Calculus Club (12)
Junior Engineering Technical Society (11-12): 2005 TEAMS Competition at UT Austin
Model United Nations (10-12): Recognition as China (Disarmament) at Baylor 2004
Technology Students Association (11)</p>

<p>Misc:</p>

<p>·San Antonio PREP (PreFreshman Engineering Program) 8 weeks a summer for three summers. Upon graduation of the program (Summer 2003), I got a scholarship of $10,000 over four years or $12,500 for five years if I did engineering at St. Mary’s.
·Did the Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP) over summer 2004 for three weeks.
·Volunteered at an educational center for kids for a total of 80 hours over the period of Dec. 2003 to June 2004.
·Now work as an assistant instructor at the aforementioned math and reading center (started in July 2004) for 5 hours a week on most Saturdays.
·Volunteered a total of 17.5 hours over the course of the school year through the sponsorship of the school Key Club organization.
·Interned at the University of Texas San Antonio Health Science Center over the summer after junior year. Worked in a lab that focused on cancer research in the Cell and Structural Biology department of the center.</p>

<p>Before I conclude, I have two relevant questions. My grades and consequently my GPA are slipping this first sem. senior year, and I have to send a Midyear report to Duke. Obviously this isn't a good thing. How important is it that colleges see a rise in your grades senior year? I would assume they would understand since most seniors slack off, but I hear bad stories regarding slackers.</p>

<p>Secondly, my SAT II scores listed are the best of my results. The first time I took, I got Math(720), Physics(570), Lit(700). For the retake a few weeks later I picked to redo only math and physics and they changed to 670 and 710 respectively. How much do you think the drop in Math will hurt my chances?</p>

<p>I strongly appreciate your opinions, and thanks in advance</p>

2

<p>Class rank, SAT II's are gonna hurt you big time, but your SAT's are great. I'm saying slight reach.</p>

3

<p>your definately looking at the right school. Duke has an excellent BME program. SAT IIs are kind of low. Do you have a big hook? something that sets you apart from others? without that, you still have a chance. just keep working hard and try not to let the grades slip (i know its easier said than done). gooood luck</p>

4

<p>thanks. The only hook I can think of is TIP, which apparently helps. But i'm not sure if that's big enough.</p>

5

<p>i dont see how his sat2s hurt him....or class rank either. he's practically in top 5%..we're talkin about duke here not MiT.</p>

6

<p>From what I can see, class rank WILL hurt you, but if you can give us some idea of your weighted/unweighted GPAs, it would be easier to evaluate your chances</p>

7

<p>3.92 weighted. Our school doesn't do unweighted.</p>