<p>Hey, guys. Ever since I was little, I've wanted to go to Duke. It's probably a little premature, but I'd like for you guys to tell me how things are looking for me as I prepare to apply ED this fall for the class of 2016. I'm curious as to where I can improve.</p>
<p>GPA: 3.97 is the only GPA indicated on transcript [?]
ACT: 32, retaking.
White/Male
School doesn't rank; top 10%
Private school
Courseload: All honors/AP classes where available.
APs taken/registered for next year: AP Euro History, AP US History, AP English Language, AP Biology, AP Government, AP Macroeconomics, AP Chemistry, AP English Literature, AP Calculus AB.</p>
<p>Music:
Symphonic, marching, and jazz band for all of high school
Drum major of a nationally-recognized marching band
1st chair French horn player for 3 years.
All-District 1st chair French horn player for 3 years.
All-State top band for 3 years.
State solo and ensemble medalist
District solo and ensemble medalist 4 years in a row
National Concert Band player
Brass captain for 2 years.
Tri-M Music Honor Society charter member and officer
I have played piano for 11 years, horn, violin, and trumpet.
Most outstanding freshman, sophomore, and junior musician awards.
Principal trumpet for jazz band - 2 years.
Army Field Band "Honorary Member"
Youth Orchestra
Peer tutor
Piano teacher
Latin Honor Society
National Honor Society
NJCL National Latin Exam silver medalist
County-wide creative writing competition - 2nd place
(Sorry it sort of became a laundry list near the end. :P)
I've volunteered at my local hospital for 50 hours plus various other volunteer work.</p>
<p>Thanks for reading all of this. I'd really appreciate your thoughts!</p>
<p>You’re cetainly a talented musician, and that’s very commendable. It’s also good that you show a clear passion for music. As far as academics are concerned, I don’t see any trouble spots–although I’m wondering if you might have taken on too big of a courseload for senior year. Remember that you’ll have to spend time on college applications, various musical commitments, and school traditions next year. Make sure that you’re not taking a class just because it’s an AP–from what I know it’s better to have one less class and do better in all the others than to keep that one extra AP and fail it or really struggle to keep up in school. You’re only human, after all.
The good news is that you have the rest of this year, all summer, and next fall to figure things out for yourself. You should definitely give yourself a chance to explore other options becase althought you’re clearly a huge fan of Duke, it’s good to have several backup schools in case things don’t work out.
You show evidence of strong writing skills, which should help you out in the essay department. Definitely start work on your essays over the summer, and it’s not a bad idea to begin brainstorming ideas now. (if not the supplement essays specific to Duke, than the common app essay)
I assume (incorrectly? correctly?) that you plan on continuing your study of music in college. In that case I’d recommend that you look into any special tours or interviews that you can do of Duke’s music department. If you can get them to know who you are and want you to attend, it could end up working in your favor. (Plus, either way you are demonstrating interest in the school…which is always good.)
If you don’t plan on studying music, it’s probably idea to show more EC experience in other areas, because I definitely got the musician vibe while I was reading this.<br>
You should definitely include information about your community service experience in the application. That’s a given.</p>
<p>Overall, if you keep your grades up, score well on the ACT, demonstrate interest (i.e. interview, visit, ED application) and hopefully keep your sanity…you should get into Duke.</p>
<p>Thanks, Jolly, for your input! Yes, I do plan to continue music in college, but am uncertain about majoring in music. As for the AP courseload, I included those courses which I have already taken. My senior AP courses will be AP English Lit, AP Macroecon/AP Government, AP Chem, and AP Calc AB.</p>