How can I boost my chances at the IVY LEAGUE/Duke????

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm currently a sophomore, so I don't have many stats to show you...
and please keep in mind that the standards for my high school are pretty low, especially with AP classes. Sophomores aren't allowed to take ANY. The max for juniors is 3, and for seniors it is 4. SUCKS, DOESN'T IT?!?</p>

<p>Ethnicity: Half Korean, Half Hispanic (Dominican Republic)
Location: North Carolina
Economic Status: ~$72,000 a year, +plus retired military dad
GPA: 4.5
Rank: 3/350
SAT: Haven't taken it yet
SAT II: Have not taken yet
PSAT: Completely misplaced it, but I remember I did better than 80something% of sophomores in the Reading/Verbal, and 70something% better than sophs. in the Math.</p>

<p>Current Schedule:
Algebra II Honors
Chemistry Honors
Broadcast Journalism
Student Government - Soph. Class Secretary
English II Honors
Spanish I Honors, will take Spanish II this summer</p>

<p>Next Year's Schedule:
Pre-Calculus Honors
AP Chemistry
AP Lang
AP US History
Student Government - Junior Class VP
Spanish III Honors</p>

<p>Senior Year Schedule:
AP Calc (our school doesn't offer BC or IB's)
AP Lit
AP European
Student Government - Senior Class President (hopefully)
AP Spanish
AP Bio</p>

<p>EC's:
SGA
NHS
Model UN "Founder" (started one at our school) and President
Mock Trial
Broadcast Journalism
Write occasionally for the local newspaper
Asia Club VP
Korean Fan Dance
Math and Science Club
Science Olympiad
Tri-Chi (community service)
Church activities
Powder Puff (ha, the only "athletics" I'll ever have)
First Priority (Christian club)</p>

<br>


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<p>Also, I hope to attend the Harvard Summer School Program OR the Junior Statesmen of America next summer.</p>

<p>Awards, etc.:
"A" Honor Roll both years
Korean Association of Fayetteville Scholarship (it was only like $200 LOL)
1st place at Regional Science Olympiad Competition (but was a team effort so Idk if this would count)
And besides that, I can't think of any other prestigious awards I've won, which is extremely sad.</p>

<p>I'd also like to note that I do not enjoy math and science. My strengths are most definitely in writing (journalism, English, etc), political science, and the arts (computer-related design and graphics, etc).</p>

<p>In my junior year, I plan to apply to Yale Single Choice EA along with these RD:
Harvard (just for fun, ha.)
Princeton
Duke
Brown
UNC-Chapel Hill</p>

<p>Constructive criticism is encouraged! What do I need to do my junior/senior years to boost my chances?</p>

2

<p>I think everything looks good so far, especially for Duke since there is an advantage for in-state applicants. The Hispanic status will help also. Don't worry about taking no AP's in sophomore year; I took only 1 through junior year and 5 total, and I still did very well with college admissions.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the ray of hope, haha! :) So judging by your username, I'm assuming you got accepted to Duke?</p>

4

<p>Bump...anyone else?</p>

5

<p>If you're only scoring in the 70-80% in PSAT, you need to work on that a lot. That sounds like about an 1800 on the SAT, which, while above average, is very low for Ivy league schools. Get that up to a 2100 or so, and I think you're golden.</p>

6

<p>Thanks Brenny - I took the PSAT as a freshman without any preparation, ha. People told me I didn't have to study as it was only an "experimental" type thing to see where I would stand my junior year when I take it to qualify for the National Merit. So hopefully, I'll do much better next year with lots of preparation!</p>

7

<p>Don't worry, all the good chances in life will come at the junior, senior years. But really work on the SATs and you'll be fine. Also there is the prospect of independent studying the APs if you are really into it...</p>

8

<p>bump....again....haha</p>

9

<p>You can't apply to Yale your Junior year...you would have to wait until at least Senior fall. I am confused.</p>

10

<p>^mboyle is right..</p>

<p>HYP is always really random. I don't think you've shown enough dedication, however--it looks like you're doing a bunch of extracurrics without any focus.</p>

11

<p>you're in FP? me too!!! whoot whoot! hook week's coming up...</p>

12

<p>You look pretty much golden if you get your SATs up, as someone else has said. Plus there is a separate Hispanic National Merit organization that parallels the 'regular' one, which could help you a bit too. At any rate, work on your SATs and keep finding fun things to do that will help you write good essays. Hope to see you at Yale.</p>

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