Duke Chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

Hi! So I was wondering if anybody could estimate (roughly) my chances of getting into Duke University in 2 years. I’m a current high school sophomore and these are my stats:

Numbers:

  • My estimated GPA, conservatively, by the time I finish high school will likely be ~4.3+
  • Based on PSAT, my estimated SAT scores will be in the 95th percentile or higher
  • I will likely have taken 10 AP courses by the time I complete high school, which is essentially the most my school offers that fits into one schedule (other than AP, I’ve taken all-honors courses for every class besides theology, which has no honors offered).

ECs:

  • Choir (4 years)
  • Musical (4 years, a highly respected musical program)
  • School newspaper (3 years, likely will be editor my senior year)
  • Peer Connection (3 years, invitation-only peer help group)
  • A Capella singing (3 years, invitation-only)
  • Honors Chamber Choir (2 years)
  • Interact Club (3 years, will likely be an officer my jr/sr years)
  • French National Honors Society (4 years)
  • National Honors Society (3 years)
  • Science National Honors Society (likely 2 years)
  • Science fair: freshman year second-placer in the school fair and continued to the Quinnipiac State Science Fair and received honors and a couple awards; sophomore year received honorable mention in school fair
  • I volunteer at the local library each Monday, and those hours will add up to more than 100 hours, and my school has many volunteer opportunities, so I’ll likely participate in those
  • I’m going to run for student council jr and sr year, we’ll see how that goes.

Other:

  • First generation student (my parents both got associates degrees; the most current definition of “first generation” is that no parent has received a four-year degree)
  • Caucasian
  • NOTE: my little brother participated in a 1.5-year clinical trial for Duke, and my parents have contacts in that way
  • I attend a private, all-girls Roman Catholic high school in CT
  • I am on a merit-based scholarship to attend my high school; it is the only scholarship they offer, and in my case, it was to the top 12 students when we entered our freshman year (my class is 120 students, so we can basically assume, at the very least, that I am still currently in the top 10% of my class or better and will graduate in that statistic)
  • Duke is my top choice, and I would likely apply ED.

Possible majors: political science and/or English, maybe a science like bio.

I’ve probably forgotten a few things, but I think this is fairly comprehensive. What are my chances? (Ha, try not to crush my dreams before I even apply!) Also, yes, I realize that sophomores thinking of college might be jumping the gun a little, but I like to be prepared and well-thought out.

2

As an edit, the SAT percentile would be more 97th-98th; I looked at the score equivalents to the percentiles and realized that 95th isn’t as accurate as I predict my score to be.

3

@jcmilidantri No one can really accurately gauge your chances here, especially with you being so early into your college selection process. I can, however, offer you some words of advice as you get closer to the college application process. USE your next two summers extremely wisely. Seek enriching experiences related to your possible interests in college and glean all you can from them. Instead of having a “laundry list” of clubs for your resume, focus on gaining those leadership roles and making an impact in those clubs. After all, when it’s time to apply, the activities aren’t going to matter. Colleges want to see that you’ve brought an impact and expanded your perspective through your outside activities through your writing. For now, academically, you’re doing excellent. Keep on taking challenging courses and achieving high in them, but make sure you also focus on building a profile you can present as a dynamic individual. Best of luck and keep grinding. It’ll be here before you know it.

As I stated previously, there’s no accurate means to predict your chance of admittance at Duke. No one here is a Duke adcon and especially no one can predict what they’re going to be looking for in their student population two years down the road. But YOU can control what you do these next two years to make yourself a qualified applicant.

4

Thanks so much!

5

If you’re asking if you’re competitive, the answer is that no one knows yet. Post this again in a years time (although you are on the right track).

Honestly, besides whether you’re competitive, there isn’t much point to these chance me threads. None of us are admissions officers. Admission is a crapshoot! Fortunately, Duke definitely gives a large boost to those who apply ED. If you think it is your top choice then definitely make that clear. Also make sure you interview, meet with Duke reps at local college fairs, try to get in touch with professors in departments you are interested in, contact current students and alumni to ask questions about the school etc. Good luck!