Grades: 1st in my class out of 495 students best high school in the area for public high schools. Have a 4.74 weighted and 4.0 unweighted GPA took 1 ap freshman year 6 sophmore year, 2 ap 1 IB Junior Year, 1 ap senior year. Took classes at local community college junior and senior year as well which is reason for lack of APs.
Test Scores: 1410 SAT, very much believe this will be at least a 1450 by the last accepted test date for duke (NOV 2nd) 730 math 680 reading.
Extracurriculars: Varsity Golf team Freshman- Senior year, captain junior year and senior year.
Wrestling Sophmore and Senior year went to regionals sophmore year as well.
Co-Founded a school spikeball club
Science Olympiad member
NHS member
Freshman Class President
Essay: Wrote a very good personal essay about running a succesful boat business and the ethical struggles many businnes face between profitability and there morals.
Strengths: Hispanic, Top in Class, NC resident
Weaknesses: Test Scores, Not the worlds greatest EC’s
Note: Also considering UPenn, Vanderbilt, and Northwestern for early decision, don’t feel confident with test scores even at 1450 in regular admission pool at these schools.
Your SAT scores are average at best for these schools and you’re looking at a less than 10% admissions rate. Slow down and take some time to really shop around for the right school. Look at UNC, NCSU, etc
I have come to the conclusion I will be applying ED to Duke. For comparison last year a kid from my high school who is very similar student expect for a significantly higher economic status who was ranked 3rd with only a 1390 got in so there is definitely some hope. I am applying to UNC, NCSU, as well but truly have little interest in these schools. I also rewrote my common app essay about being hispanic in a very white sport (golf), a much better piece than I had originally written. I’ve been studying my *ss off for this next SAT so with any luck I really believe I will have a 1450 if not closer to a 1480-90. Hope this gives some clarity, but I appreciate the response.
good ECs but nothing standing out and your test scores are not the greatest. I would suggest you wait and see what you focus on getting a good score on the SAT for now, and the apply RD.
I would agree with you, but duke will accept test scores from the November 2nd test date. I understand its putting all my eggs into one basket per say if the test doesn’t go well, but the advantage of applying ED I would definitely think outweighs the disadvantages unless of course I do poorly on the test.