<p>Again, the only thing hurting your chance is your GPA, though understandable if your school is highly competitive. However, it is possible that your excellent EC may allow them to overlook it as long as you emphasize your ECs and try to keep your GPA higher in the next year. </p>
<p>Quite honestly, even with your GPA, you still have a pretty decent chance of getting in. I had much, much fewer ECs (and less prestigious ones as well) and only decent recommendations, and was still accepted. (Though my GPA was admittedly, quite a bit higher.) If you are worried about your class rank, try talking to your counselor. If your school is extremely competitive, its likely Duke will know and take your GPA and rank into consideration. The application doesn’t blatantly ask for rank, if I recall, and if your school doesn’t disclose it unless requested, don’t worry. (Mine was evident on my transcript and was actually quite misleading.)</p>
<p>To try and make up for the GPA, make sure your essay is spectacular. Don’t be afraid to ask teachers to read over your essay and make multiple revisions. If you plan to write about chess (which I would say, go for it, since it’s an obviously large part of your life), steer away from being cliche.</p>
<p>But before you decide that Duke is perfect for you, try your best to visit. It’s amazing what a visit can do for your decisions; I visited my first-choice school the summer before senior year and discovered I hated it there. It’s worth the visit just to make sure you’ll enjoy it, especially if you want to consider ED.</p>