Duke is a reach for me, advice & chances please!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>Duke is a reach for me, but so far it is my favorite. I'm going to be a senior so I don't have a lot of time to make many changes but if you have any advice, please let me know! Thanks so much!</p>

<p>GRADES AND TESTS
GPA: 3.97/4.0 (weighted) All honors and APs. Freshman year I received two A-'s in honors classes, but since then I've had A's for all year end grades in honors classes. I've had an A- year end grade for all AP's.
SAT: 2080 (combined) Writing-710 Critical Reading-680 Math-690
SAT II: History-680 Literature-740 Biology E-750
AP's: Biology-5 English Language-4 US History- 4</p>

<p>FRESHMAN SCHEDULE
Biology
French II
Geometry
Phys Ed
Latin I
World History II
World Literature I</p>

<p>SOPHOMORE SCHEDULE
Algebra II
AP Biology
Chemistry
French III
Latin II
US History I
World Literature II</p>

<p>JUNIOR SCHEDULE
Advanced Math/Trigonometry
AP English Language & Composition
AP US History
Art I
French IV
Latin III
Physics</p>

<p>SENIOR SCHEDULE
AP Psychology
AP French V
Calculus
Biotechnology
Art II
British Literature (Might be changed to Shakespeare or Adolescents in Literature)
A seventh class has not been scheduled yet but I am hoping to take Energy and the Environment or a second English class (both would be honors)</p>

<p>VOLUNTEER WORK
-Tutored junior year during the spring at the Middle School, once a week for an hour
-Over the summer, this year and last, I help with a therapeutic riding program twice a week or more for about 40 min each lesson
-Worked in soup kitchens several times but not regularly
-Summer going into sophomore year and the summer going into junior year I traveled to New Jersey with my church for a week each on a mission trip
-In August I plan on volunteering on a farm once a week for 2 hours each, helping with Cradles to Crayons, and helping with a field hockey camp run by my high school team for younger students
-Helped with a fundraiser for each of my sports every year
-Participated in a breast cancer fundraiser</p>

<p>SPORTS
Softball: Freshman year- JV
Swimming: Freshman year- JV
Sophomore year- Varsity
Junior Year- Varsity
Senior Year- (Expected) Varsity
Field Hockey: Freshman Year- JV
Sophomore Year- Varsity
Junior Year- Varsity
Senior Year- (Expected) Varsity
CLUBS
-Invisible Children: (sophomore, junior, senior) participated in a t-shirt fundraiser, a yard sale, and a demonstration in Boston called The Rescue
-Best Buddies: freshman, sophomore, senior
-Environment club: sophomore, junior, hoping to be co-president for senior year
-Yearbook Committee: offered to seniors only</p>

<p>LEADERSHIP
-Elected member of the student government: delegate (sophomore, junior, senior), attended SEMASC (convention for student government members)</p>

<p>JOBS
-Assistant swim coach: 8th grade, once a week for an hour
-Babysit (not regularly)
-French teacher: junior year in the spring, classes a little over an hour long, taught to elementary students, required planning of lessons
-No summer job but I did apply to several places and I'm hoping to pick up a job in the fall at Dunkin Donuts, Panera Bread, or a Book store</p>

<p>AWARDS/RECOGNITION
-Made high honors every term since freshman year
-Member of the National Honors Society
-Member of the French National Honors Society
-Member of the Latin National Honors Society
-Received "Maxima Cum Laude" Certificate of Honorable Merit on the National Latin Exam (freshman, sophomore, junior)
-Received the St. Michael's Book Award for academic achievement with a social conscience
-Received an art award (junior year)</p>

<p>OTHER
-Asked by the principal to help interview potential English teachers for next year
-Intended major: Environmental Sciences
-I've noticed on other threads there is often the advice to have a passion, and mine would be animals/the environment. I volunteer at the barn, I plan on volunteering on a farm, and I have a lot of plans for the Environmental Club at my school</p>

<p>QUESTIONS
Do you think I could make it in and what advice do you have, please?! What is most in need of improvement especially?
How many recommendations should I send in?
How important would it be to schedule an interview? (It might be too expensive to make a trip down unless you think it's absolutely necessary since the school is a reach)</p>

2

<p>You should try to get your SAT scores as high as you can. </p>

<p>Everything else makes you a strong candidate though.</p>

<p>Usually they set up an interview in your hometown with an alumn. When I applied my senior year, I had an interview at a coffee shop.</p>

3

<p>Thanks fantasyspirit! I wasn’t sure if I was going to take my SAT’s again, but I think I’ll give it one more shot now. And I’ll definitely look into a nearby interview.</p>

4

<p>Yes, I agree with fantasyspirit to get your SAT’s a little higher. Can you get them in the 2200s maybe? Check the average SAT for Duke students on the website and you can get a better idea. But do not worry you got those A-s, the admissions board looks at so much more than that. “This applicant has great academics. Lets see what else she can offer to Duke now.” is what they think. And what you have to offer is clearly displayed by your involvement in extracurriculars and leadership. Many people do not get in because they cannot sell themselves. I am not saying to lie, but you need to show the best aspect of yourself, and the people do that effectively are the ones getting the big fat Duke envelopes in the mail.</p>

<p>You can PM me for further questions, I hope that helps you out. I wish you the best of luck, and let me know if you have more Q’s. trd123</p>

5

<p>Yea I think getting around 2200’s would be the best. Even though schools say how SATs aren’t top priority, I completely disagree.</p>

<p>When I was a senior, I was waitlisted to Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, UVA, and RPI. I didn’t get into Duke either with a 2010 SAT. I held leadership positions many clubs (President of NHS, Student Body Vice President, Track/Cross Country Captain), graduated Salutatorian, and had solid teacher recs and essays.</p>

<p>I applied again after my freshman year in college and I guess they don’t weigh the SAT as heavily for college students since they look at the rigor of the courses and how well you did + professor recommendations. I got into both Carnegie Mellon and Duke this year. </p>

<p>Sorry for this long winded post but from my experience, I feel that SATs are of absolute importance if you’re aiming to attend an elite school. So, in my opinion, you should study, study, study and just aim to do as best as you could.</p>

<p>Aside from that, you’ve done your job well. All you really have left to do is write a strong essay conveying to Admissions how you can be the perfect candidate for their school. The experiences you’ve had that have made you who you are today should be reflected in this essay. Don’t sell yourself short, but don’t gloat either.</p>

6

<p>nice “feel good” moment with fantasy’s story-- try taking the ACT to see if that works out better for you.</p>