ED for Duke - Chance me please!

<p>I'm applying into Trinity College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with a Biology major -> Pre-med.
Here are my stats:
Rank - 143/1417
GPA - 4.089
ACT Scores (I only took one) - Comp = 34, Writ=33, Math=35, Read=33, Sci=33, Essay=8
AP Tests - AP Chem=3, AP US History=3, AP English Lang=5
Took as many AP classes as allowed and the highest rigor of the classes offered.
EC's - National Honor Society, Catholic Youth Group (Guitarist/pianist/leader for 5 years), Catholic Youth Group Leader, Interact, Asian American Leadership and Education Conference, Have been enrolled in the Gifted and Talented Education program since 2004, Dance for a Cause, Key Club, National Art Honor Society, Vice-President of the Ping Pong Club, Science Club, Korean American Professional Network Leadership Council, Played piano for 7 years and guitar for 6 years.
Awards - Submission for the Phoenix Literary Magazine, Allen Saint Andrew Kim Catholic Church Piano Player, AP Scholar, Second Place winner at the Allen Public Library's Talent show (Guitar piece), PSAT/NMSQT Letter of Commendation, Eagle Scholar, 2008 Orchepia Piano Competition Finalist.
Work - Part-time work at Aeropostale, Rudy's Barbecue, and Van Heusen
Community Service - Saint Andrew Kim Catholic Church (360+hours)
-Also Sending in art supplements of both guitar and piano playing-</p>

<p>My GPA is very low but this being my first choice school, I would like to know my chances.
My Essay and Alumni Interview will most likely be the deciding factors.</p>

<p>Your ACT is solid as it is at the top end of Duke’s 25/75 percentiles. You don’t specify whether your 4.1 is weighted or not, but I will assume it is weighted. The WGPA means nothing, since every school uses a different system and Duke expects its applicants to have taken the most rigorous courses available. It sounds like you have the rigor, although your grades are not as high as a typical Duke admit.</p>

<p>90%+ of Duke’s freshmen were in the top ten percent of their high school class. You are not, which puts you in a distinct minority.</p>

<p>Your ECs indicate that you are involved in your community, although nothing stands out to me as having made a significant and unique impact. Be sure to emphasize accomplishments in your activities, not just a list on the application, or it will appear that you joined clubs trying to make your app look better (and actually making it worse). For example, listing “Vice President of the Ping Pong Club” sounds comical. However, if you were able to dramatically increase membership in the club, or lead the club to successful tournament finishes, or petition the School Board to raise it to Varsity status, then adcoms can understand your impact.</p>

<p>Based on your low GPA and lack of exceptional ECs, I would estimate that your chances are lower than the typical applicant’s 10% (Duke’s admit rate last year).</p>

<p>I would suggest skipping the art supplements unless you are applying as a music major/minor. The piano competition award (although dated 2008) and your years of study already establish your dedication. There is an old adage in admissions, “The thicker the file, the thicker the student”. Remember that adcoms spend an average of less than five minutes per application - you don’t want them to waste time tracking down music professors to evaluate your talent.</p>

<p>I interview applicants as a Duke alum and I can assure you that this will have minimal, if any, impact on your acceptance decision. Your essays will be more important and you should definitely work hard to put your best foot forward.</p>

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<p>I agree largely with what you said, but I wouldn’t say the 10% overall admit rate is as relevant to the OP since he/she is applying ED, which gives a slight boost and has ~30% acceptance rate. I think your chances are probably about that. I agree not being in the top 10% could hurt (so close!) and that you list a lot of ECs, but need one or two of them to truly stand out and demonstrate passion.</p>

<p>And while everybody says the interview doesn’t matter much (if any), I’ve seen stats from Guttentag that demonstrate a pretty decent correlation between high interview scores and acceptance. I’m not saying it’s causation (i.e. the interview score itself didn’t necessarily gain the applicant admission). It’s likely that the best candidates in other facets will also impress alumni interviewers and the interview simply reinforces other aspects of the application, but I found it interesting nonetheless.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Here is what stood out to me on your app… Your dedication to piano and your church. That shows that you are passionate about things (not just spread out across a million clubs). Yes, academics are a little low for the typical Duke admit, but keep in mind that the avg. ACT for all Duke applicants is around a 31, so I’m guessing around a 3.7 average un weighted GPA. I think if your essays are absolutely killer then Duke would be a mid/low reach ED.<br>
I am also applying to Duke ED so that is based on my research and seeing what others have said on similar posts. All the best of luck. Also, if anyone would possibly chance me , that would be much appreciated <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1567485-chance-me-duke-ed.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1567485-chance-me-duke-ed.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I would say Duke is a low reach. You will have an above average chance for ED, but I’m not sure that you will get in. You are definitely qualified though! Good luck!</p>

<p>I’m doing Duke ED too. Chance me back? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1561842-chance-me-duke-ed-will-chance-back-within-24-hours.html#post16449634[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1561842-chance-me-duke-ed-will-chance-back-within-24-hours.html#post16449634&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I think Duke is a high match/low reach, especially since you’re applying ED. You seem like a well-rounded student and your grades are pretty stellar. Even if your GPA is lacking, your ACT score shows that you are intelligent. The other aspects of your application override your GPA as well.</p>

<p>Chance me back? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1569148-chance-me-duke-ed-will-chance-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1569148-chance-me-duke-ed-will-chance-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Found out my UW GPA is 3.49 … My decision is coming out tomorrow so any last predictions? Just for fun, I’ll post up the result tomorrow</p>

<p>So excited! at what time are the decisions are out again?</p>

<p>6! in 24 hours we will know!</p>

<p>Hey Cubey,</p>

<p>From what you posted, the only glaring thing I can pinpoint to be a potential obstacle for acceptance is the fact that your GPA is fairly below average…especially if you identify as Asian (I’m making that assumption b/c you mentioned Asian American club leadership). But you never know so best of luck!!</p>