<p>I was curious what my chances at early decision admission at Duke University would be. And also, in what areas do I need the most improvement? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Background:
Caucasian male from a top Maryland magnet high school.
Hooks: First generation college</p>
<p>Academics:
Rank: 1/310
UW GPA: 4.0/4.0
W GPA: 5.51/6.0</p>
<p>Standardized Tests:
SAT I: 2200 (730, 770, 700)
SAT II: Math IIC: 800
Physics: 740
US History: 780
AP: American Gov't (5)
World History (4)
Calculus AB (5)
English Language (Pending)
Psychology (Pending)
Calc BC (Pending)
US History (Pending)
Spanish Language (Pending)</p>
<p>Awards/ECs
National Merit, Maryland Distinguished Scholar, AP Scholar
National Honor Society, Spanish NHS, Science NHS, Math NHS
Four year varsity soccer starter (captain, voted All-county)
Student Government (Class representative)
School tutoring coordinator
MESA effective communications competition (regional and state champion)
Physics Olympics(3rd place in region), Model UN, and Model Congress regional competitions
(I kept this very brief so as not to bore you)</p>
<p>Senior Schedule:
AP Statistics
AP Physics B
AP English Literature
AP Macro and Micro Economics
AP Comparative Government
Engineering III (I'm an engineering major at my magnet school)
Health/Theatre 2 (graduation requirements)
Self Studying: AP Environmental, maybe AP Chemistry</p>
<p>You have a shot, much better if you can raise the SAT and if the 770 is CR.</p>
<p>Thanks, I’m definitely going to retake my SAT’s and realistically I’m hoping for 2250-2280. My 770 is math (definitely my strong suit). </p>
<p>Anyone else have any input?</p>
<p>I think you have a great shot. It would definitely help if you can get your SAT to 750+ in each section.</p>
<p>Why are you self studying AP Chem? o_O</p>
<p>Well, I really enjoyed the honors level chemistry course I took my sophomore year so I wanted to continue taking chemistry, but AP Chem is a two period course at my school so I decided against taking it senior year because I wanted to take other classes, but the teacher let me have a textbook and offered to let me sit in on his class whenever possible and have access to all the work and stuff.</p>
<p>Funny, I also live in Maryland and am a Distinguished Scholar! You definitely have an awesome application. Your high number of APs, soccer talent, high SAt 2s, and numerous awards will be a great asset. I’d say you probably have a slightly higher than 50% chance at Duke, unfortunately becuase you’re a caucasian male. 
Still, go for it. And I’m sure you will be welcomed anywhere with your terrific transcript!
Good luck!</p>
<p>What a coincidence! But thank you for your opinions and I wish you luck as well.</p>
<p>Any other opinions?</p>
<p>I think you have a great chance (if you get that 2250-2280 SAT score)!
Did you volunteer any where? Ivy leagues look at service too.</p>
<p>Well, Duke isn’t “Ivy League” but I do have some small scale volunteer efforts, primarily related to National Honor Society and soccer (summer camps and coaching youth teams).</p>
<p>Oh, sorry! I was thinking of something else there! But, it does look at your volunteering.
And, if you did a lot, you could be considered for the Robertson scholarship and get a full ride! :)</p>
<p>You have a high chance of getting in. Maybe you can aim higher?..</p>