Duke RD Chance

<p>Background
-Residency: NY
-Asian (Pakistani)
-Male
-Intended Major: Biology or Math </p>

<p>Stats
GPA: Unweighted: 99.2
SAT: 2300 Superscored
M: 790 W: 800 CR: 710
SAT IIs: Math II: 800 US, History: 800, Chemistry 770, Biology M-760, World History: 790
APs: European History (5), US History (5), Calc BC (5), Chemistry (5), English Language (5), Comparative Government and Politics (5)
College Course Load: Intro Biology and Calculus I at Harvard (Both A's). Linear Algebra and probably Differential Equations (2nd semester) at a local college currently.
Taking 3 AP Courses this year: Physics B, English Lit, Macroeconomics
In the top 1% of graduating class</p>

<p>Extracurriculars </p>

<p>Biology Research
-Research on fraud within the fishing industry by testing fish DNA. Presented results at a local science fair and won several awards. But didn't go on to Intel/Siemens Competition cause I didn't use enough samples. Have been researching at the same college where I am currently taking my math classes since sophomore year. This year I want to try something with genetics and checking out the linkage between RFLPs and certain genetic diseases.</p>

<p>Science Olympiad
-Involved since sophomore year and have won several first place medals in chemistry, mathematics and design.</p>

<p>Viola
-Have played with local symphony, area all state in NY, and NYSSMA player. While at Harvard I had the opportunity to play with the summer orchestra two years in a row. Ive been playing since I was 8 and am principal violist.</p>

<p>Model UN
-Participating since sophomore year. Currently club president and conference secretary general. Have won several best and outstanding delegate awards over the years.</p>

<p>Mock Trial
-Involved since sophomore year. Currently head attorney. Team won regional tournament last year.</p>

<p>Math Team
-Team has won 1st place for the past couple years.</p>

<p>Soccer
-Varsity and JV Captains. Have done since freshman year.</p>

<p>Leadership Positions
-National Honor Society President
-Senior and Junior Class Secretary </p>

<p>Volunteering
-Spent almost 900 hours volunteering at a local refugee center since I was in 8th grade. I've really interacted with the individuals I've worked with. Im thinking of devoting one of my essays to it or part of a supplemental to it and talking about one individual who I helped tutor for the GED.
-100 hours at a local soup kitchen.
-200 hours at a hospital.
-Ton of stuff for key club and NHS.
-Tutoring other students.
-Volunteer Sundays to teach Islamic History at a Mosque.
-100 hours for the Salvation Army.</p>

<p>Teacher Recs: Will be from two teachers that know me pretty well and personally.
Counselor Rec: Will be good but will most likely not compare to my teacher recs.
Extra rec from Bio Professor. He was really impressed with me out of the 80 some students in the class. </p>

<p>Essays: One will definitely be about my passion for bio and medicine and how I definitely want to spend my future continuing it. I may also try to tie in a religious analogy (my battle with it) in there but Im still in the the experimenting stage. </p>

<p>Last Comments
-I think for where I live Ive done a pretty good job. Living in a suburb area like mine research opportunities are not very doable and not many kids do much outside of school.</p>

<p>You’re definitely a strong applicant. I’d say it’s a reach/low reach. Good luck :)!</p>

<p>You probably have a good chance of getting in! However, because you’re asian the chances are slimmer. But still I think you are a strong candidate. I would encourage you to even apply to schools that are ranked higher. You are a potential ivy leaguer :)</p>

<p>haha ‘potential ivy leaguer’ Duke is ranked higher than Dartmouth Brown and Cornell and until very recently Penn and Columbia as well. As someone who chose Duke over the exalted ivy league schools let me give you a word of advice dont let nameless faceless anonymous entities on a forum tell you what to do with your life. Duke is progressing rapidly towards a new residential college system, and once that is established I would not be surprised if we ascended to the heights of Harvard and Yale. Also Duke is going international in a big way with campuses in China Singapore and India and will soon have an enviable global presence that will rival the Big 3 ivies.</p>