Duke seems to be a bit of a mystery to everyone - so advice is appreciated; Apply? Don’t waste my time?
Stats:
UW 3.96
W 4.5 academic weighted
ACT: 33 Comp, 34 math, 35 english, 30 reading, 32 science
Will complete: 7 AP’s, - 2 Calcs, 2 history, 1 english, physics, Chem.
So far…
AP Calc - 5
US HIs - 5
Euro - 4
AP English - 5
EC’s
Eagle Scout
Boys State Delegate
National Honor Society, member
RYLA Nominee
Varsity Soccer - 3 years , captain / JV 1 year
Varsity Track and Field - 2 years / JV 2 years
Tier one Club Soccer - 4 years, Captain
Student Government: Treasurer
Link Crew Mentor
Catalyst Club - appointed President by Vice Principal - drug and alcohol awareness club
Wounded Warrior Volunteer through USO
Caucasian
So Cal
** Hopefully NROTC scholarship** - would like long term Military Career/ Engineering student
thank you!
I applied with very similar stats (and my EC’s were probably not as stellar as yours) and was fortunate enough to be accepted. I think you have a very good chance of getting in, especially if you apply ED–though a guarantee is difficult to promise. If you do end up applying, best of luck!
apply early decision. hope that you get accepted. have seen many people with better stats get rejected/deferred, but not many people with worse stats get accepted. Your ACT/GPA is fine, just the ECs aren’t particularly stand-outish for Duke. But if the above poster is in Duke, then you obviously have a good chance too
thank you both, I assume Duke is looking for State and National type of competitions for EC’s? Any ideas what are big bumps for them?
I am no expert on Duke admissions, nor do I know what Duke specifically looks for in an applicant, but I can try and offer you some advice.
First, without a doubt, your essays matter. A Duke admissions officer once told me that, with a truly outstanding essay, he should be able to read it once, come back later and re-read the essay, and still know who that applicant is without looking at the name on the application. That’s really the difference between a good essay and a superb one.
Second, according to another Duke admissions officer, Duke looks for a well-rounded class, not necessarily well-rounded individuals. You don’t have to win every state and national competition and simultaneously be the president of every club while curing cancer as a just-for-fun hobby to be considered a qualified applicant with superb EC’s. But you need to be able to present to Duke concrete evidence that you possess a quality that would contribute to the next freshman class in a most positive–perhaps even unique–manner.
I realize that these aren’t any “big bumps” that you were asking about, but I think Duke admissions would much rather see you as your own person than one who is a stereotypically well-rounded applicant (not that well-roundedness is necessary bad). Best of luck in the application season!
@wondering2233, there are some very knowledgeable folks who post more frequently on the Duke forum. You might try to repost this there.
Your ECs are fantastic (particularly as an Eagle Scout, which will show your sincerity and help you land ROTC scholarship), and it helps you’re not east coast. Definitely apply.
I’ll echo the importance of nailing the essays. Assuming your class rank is up to snuff, Duke is def worth your time.