Freaking myself out. Chance at Duke + Vanderbilt?

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>I'm a junior from a very competitive public high school (#1 in the state)
Thinking ahead to November..I either want to apply ED to Duke University and if I am deferred/rejected, apply EDII to Vanderbilt. However, I'm beginning to think that Duke might be too much of a reach and perhaps a better plan would be to apply ED to Vanderbilt. Anyhow, be honest! Any input would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>SATI: 2230 (CR:700 M:760 W:770)
SATII: World Hist: 730. Bio-E: 710 (eh..are these scores ok? Are there any subject tests that you guys recommend to take?)
ACT: I took them without preparation out of curiosity and got a 32. Probably going to not submit and focus more on my SAT's.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.82 unweighted and going up by the end of this last semester of junior year.
Weighted GPA is around a 4.28.</p>

<p>Took AP World (5 on the exam) last year as only one AP offered sophomore year.
I have a very rigorous course load - I have taken every available honors and AP course with the exception of opting out of honors chemistry. This year I'm taking Honors English, Honors Precalc, Honors Spanish, CP Chemistry, and AP US..only 1 AP offered :&lt;/p>

<p>Next year I will be taking AP Bio, AP Statistics, AP English, AP Spanish and Sociology.</p>

<p>My school doesn't rank, but I'd say top 10% perhaps?</p>

<p>EC's:
- 60+ hours assistant coaching a local girl's soccer team
- 170+ hours teaching as a junior counselor at a summer camp. Coached springboard diving and managed department responsibilities
- Varsity Polevault (Track and Field) - 9, 10, 11. State qualifier for two years
- Varsity Diving - 10, 11. State qualifier for one year.
- Contortion - 9, 10, 11. Joining a circus program late summer/early fall. I might write my main essay on my experiences.
- NHS
- SADD Club - 9, 10, 11
- Orchestra - 9, 10, 11. (Co-president next year hopefully)
Work: Was a graphic designer for an a cappella group. Worked at Upper Crust Pizzeria.
In addition I engaged in annual community services such as Relay For Life and fundraisers for Camp Sunshine (camp for kids with life threatening illnesses and their families) consistently through out high school.
Note: I've taken fine art courses for four years at school and plan on submitting an arts supplement.
Awards:
Some art awards
Spanish Book Award
Honorable Mention for NHD Presentation at State Level
(the major awards for my school are coming in the next few months)</p>

<p>I have some pretty solid teacher recs lined up that I'm excited about. No legacy at these schools.
So....chances at Duke University? Vanderbilt University? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!</p>

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<p>I’ll say you have a chance for Duke, though I wouldn’t expect too much for acceptance. I’m sure you will definately get in to Vanderbilt, especially if you show your leadership in your clubs, such as contortion. Your activities (such as “circus”) can be appealing to admission staff’s eye, so my advice is: keep your grades, participate more in your clubs w/leadership, and try to show that you are different from all other applicants.</p>

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<p>“I’m a junior from a very competitive public high school (#1 in the state)”</p>

<p>"This year I’m taking Honors English, Honors Precalc, Honors Spanish, CP Chemistry, and AP US…only 1 AP offered :"</p>

<p>One AP class offered junior year? Man, your state must be an educational wreck. I think you have a good shot at Vandy, but for Duke, slightly less so. Also, a 32 ACT is about a 2100-2200 SAT; it’s not as big of a deal as you think. Whether you send it or not probably won’t impact the admission committee’s decision.</p>

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<p>augustus1 - there was only 1 AP offered for my schedule because I am focusing more on the visual/performing arts. If I had the space in my schedule I could fit in other AP courses such as AP Comp Sci if I had the space which I don’t have. All of the other AP sciences, histories, and english courses are offered senior year. Definitely my bad on the wording, but my school is not an educational wreck. Plenty of honors courses are offered that are very challenging. Just the way it works I guess.</p>

<p>Agreed on the 32… I never meant for it to sound like a big deal. Just thought I’d take it to see if I was a more “ACT-person” versus SAT.</p>