Getting into Duke Univeristy

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hello, I am currently a sophomore in a public high school in CT. Since I haven’t taken the SAT or ACT, and I haven’t gotten my PSAT score back, there isn’t that much to tell but I just want to know if I am on the right track to Duke University.

9th Grade
Honors Geometry (B+ final grade)
Honors English (A)
Accelerated Science (Higher than honors but not AP) (B+)
Global Studies (A+)
French III (A)
Latin I (A)

10th grade (so far):
AP European History (A-)
Honors Alg. II (A-)
Honors English II (A+)
Accelerated Physics (B)
French IV (A)
Latin II (A-)
All of these classes are the highest level I can be in at my school

GPA:
3.723- I know that that is pretty low but I really plan on getting it higher. Also I plan on taking many AP’s 11th and 12th grade which are weighted more which will help it

EC:
Model UN (9,10, and I plan to do it my next two years)
Academic Decathlon (9,10, and I plan to do it my next two years)
French Club (9, 10- I am the secretary, plan to do it 11 and 12 and apply to be president)
Varsity Swim Team (9,10, and I plan to do it 11 and in 12 plan to be captain)
USA Club Swim team since I was in 6th grade
Piano lessons since 3rd grade

Community service:
9th grade-20 hours
10th grade- I only have 5 years so far but I plan on doing tutoring and help with swim lessons to get a lot more hours

Leadership:
I got selected for the HOBY award which is given to one kid at each High School in CT (Shows leadership skills)

I plan on doing a Duke summer camp this year. I don’t know if that will help me

Thank you!

2

It’s fine to be totally honest and say I have no chance. If you do say that, could you give me some helpers on ways to help me improve my chances.

3

It’s certainly way to early to say that you have no chance, but also too early to have any idea how good your chance may be above the statistical average. Get your GPA up a bit and get solid test scores. That will help meep you competitive. Your ECs are ok but not terribly distinctive. Duke summer camp won’t make a difference.

Think about what your focus is, and how you can differentiate yourself. The good news is you have 2 years in which to develop yourself.

4

Thank you so much! That’s really helpful.

5

@RideOn Thank you so much. That is really helpful and I will use all of your advice :slight_smile:

6

Here’s some advice. Obviously keep your GPA up, preferably all A’s from here on out. Take the hardest classes your school offers. Take your standardized tests early and prepare well. I don’t know what major you are applying for, but you will need above a 750 on your subject tests and a 2300+ on your SAT to be safe. Next, try to do activities that differentiate yourself from others. Find your passions and excel in it. If you like debate, then make it to nationals. If you like biology, take the US biology olympiad. Now, you may not like either of these things, but you get my point. Try to do something that will show Duke that you will pursue your passions and excel in whatever field you choose. Good luck.

7

Thank you so much @sattake