Horribad GPA. Chance a hopeless Asian noob?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>Yeah I'm aware that my GPA is terrible especially for a high-end school like Duke. Do I stand any chance at all? I feel kind of embarrassed even thinking of applying to here with my GPA >_> but whatever my parents are willing to pay </p>

<p>Asian male (fml)
East Coast
Income bracket: 250k+
School: Very competitive, grade deflation, sends at least at least a dozen kids to Ivies every year (Duke once accepted 6 people in one year)
Rank: School doesn't report
GPA: 3.33 UW
3.8 W
Upward trend
SAT: 1540/2290
SAT II: 800 MATH II 800 CHEM
AP: 5s on chem, bio, calc ab, music theory, english lang&comp
Senior sched: AP Econ, AP stat, AP calc bc, AP english lit, rest are electives
Course rigor: Most rigorous
ECs:
-Piano 9 years: Played in Carnegie Hall and other well-known halls multiple times, played frequently for local senior centers, did a bunch of recitals per year, tutored some local kids, got some awards (dunno how prestigious)
-Violin 7 years: School orchestra since 4th grade, played in outside ensemble which performed several times a year since 8th grade, also tutored local kids
-Academic league varsity team
-Breakdance: Leader of school's "crew," performed for several school events, performed several times out of school
-Event organizer for local Chinese community
-100 volunteer hours in Chinese school (teacher's assistant)
-50 volunteer hours in environmental center
-Internship in Credit Suisse hedge fund
-NSLC business and entrepreneurship
-Internship in Rutgers University 2 summers
Essays: All of my teachers said they were amazing (one of them's an English professor in a top Ivy). My essays should be the strongest part of my app</p>

<p>Commonapp: Creative piece about breakdancing. Should be my best essay
EC short answer: Talks about my internship in Credit Suisse
Why Duke: Wrote a fake news article about how I suddenly woke up from a dream and found myself at Duke. From a 3rd person perspective I described what I did on campus and what I liked about the university</p>

<p>So... yeah. Am I pretty much screwed because of my GPA? I'm planning on getting an interview, but I dunno if it'll help at all. Also, if I get all As 1st semester senior year, how much will that help me? Thanks in advance, and don't laugh at me for applying LOL</p>

2

<p>I’ll give you some helpful advice. It looks like you have some great artistic talents on your resume. If you want to go to Duke, apply to trinity and do an arts supplement. They’re looking to expand the arts at duke, and being a great dancer will definitely help you. Put a lot of work into it and maybe they’ll ignore your gpa. All of your other stats look great though.</p>

3

<p>I was thinking of doing an arts supplement over the break but my wrist was injured and there was no way I could fill up a 10 minute (minimum amount of time allowed) video without most of my moves.</p>

4

<p>If you can get your wrist injury recovered enough by February, I’d consider contacting admissions with a CC to the music department and asking for an extension. Stuff like injuries happen and are out of your control, you really shouldn’t be penalized for it.</p>

5

<p>With all that behind you, your GPA won’t matter as much. Try as hard as you can to get at least 3.6 GPA this year. Really focus your application on your artistic talents. “Highlight your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses.”</p>

6

<p>Breakdancing sounds really cool. I think you have a fair shot despite your GPA. We need more interesting people like you.</p>