How do I stack up?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>Thank you for taking the time to read this everybody; I really appreciate it ! I am a sophomore, and I am starting to think about colleges-I would like to receive others' opinions on how I stack up or if I am even on the righ track. I posted a thread earlier, but I would like to better post my resume.</p>

<p>I am interested in biomedical engineering and would like to become a patent attorney. I am looking at some Ivies (Brown, UPenn, Harvard, Yale, and Dartmouth), Duke, Vanderbilt, MIT, Hopkins, Wake, and Chapel Hill. </p>

<p>I have NOT taken the SAT yet (will take in fall). My mom went to Brown and I have done two summer camps there. I am 100% Greek (child of immigrant) living in the South. </p>

<p>Class Rank: Tied for first (39 total kids in grade) in rigorous private school</p>

<p>Passions/Interests:</p>

<p>Inventions: I have about 20 inventions that I whipped up, and will try to work to begin patent process this summer.</p>

<p>Debate: I just completed my first year of debate, and I loved it! I set a school record for best debut, have continued to hold best overall record in LD, and appear to be best LD debator in school.</p>

<p>Medical Assistance: This summer, I am doing an extensive volunteer oppurtunity/internship where I shadow doctors and work with underpriveleged individuals.</p>

<p>Basketball: I have been Captain + MVP for back-to-back seasons now and have grown greatly in the game. I impressed a Brown scout last year while doing a camp, and I would be open to playing in college (already have one scholarship lined up).</p>

<p>Clarinet: I have played clarinet for over six years now, and enjoy it greatly. I write my own music sometimes, but I just love the sound of this instrument.</p>

<p>Church Service: I have been altar assistant for three years now in my Church, participate in youth group projects, and will have leadership oppurtunity next year.</p>

<p>Here are my classes:</p>

<p>Freshman Year (4.0 unweighted GPA)- school did not offer advanced classes:</p>

<p>Geometry
English 9- Poem Published in National Publication
Spanish II
Biology
Ancient History
Band (Clarinet)-2nd Chair (Lower Register Specialist)
Studio Art- gold key award
Altar Boy(Church Service)
Basketball
Part-Time Job (worked for father)</p>

<p>Sophomore Year(4.0 unweighted GPA): </p>

<p>Honors Algebra II
Honors English 10
AP Euro. History
Debate
Chemistry- 2 science olympiad medals
Physics
Spanish III
Class President
President of Concession stand Operations
ABCCM Volunteer (Medical Ministry)
Part-time Job(Chick-Fil-A)
Altar Boy (Church service)
Basketball
Clarinet Independent Study (1st chair in pit band)
Language Competition team+ took National Spanish Exam</p>

<p>Schedule for 11th grade: </p>

<p>AP Stats
AP Chemistry
AP English 10- Language & Composition
AP U.S. History
Honors Spanish III
Honors Precalculus
Debate Team- Captain
Hopefully Honor Council, Class Pres., etc.
Possible newspaper work
Part-time job (Chick-Fil-A)
ABCCM Volunteer
Independent Clarinet Study
Altar Boy Leader (Church Volunteer)
Science Olympiad
Expected Mathlete</p>

<p>If you took the time to read all of this, thank you so much and tell me what you think! :)</p>

2

<p>HA!
I’m sorry but you are fail</p>

3

<p>Too early to say. Get some scores and wait until a bit later in the process, when you have some major achievements, then ask. You’re on the right track.</p>

4

<p>Have you tried the Chance Me threads? You might find more help there…</p>

5

<p>I think you are going to make it into Duke given what you have. You just need to do relatively well on your SAT. However, I would not take the SAT yet…I would like maybe do some work with it before just diving into it. As for getting into those incredibly competitive Ivy leagues, I would invest more time into your inventions or something that you think that you can make a big impact with or get you national recognition. I also wouldn’t invest that much time into the clarinet or “extra” parts unless you find it totally necessary and you are able to do it. Just emphasize your strengths for the next 2 years you have and don’t try to do everything well.</p>

6

<p>Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice and kind comments! :)</p>

7

<p>just make sure the inventions are legit. we did an invention project in third grade and had a bunch of crappy inventions, so needless to say i won’t talk about that on college apps. but if you can get one patented that’d be a big deal and would make a great admissions essay for sure.</p>

8

<p>@crimsonchin68: Hey thanks for the advice!!! I never came back to this thread, and I appreciate the comments. Yes, the inventions are very legit, as being able to mass-produce an environmentally-friendly automobile engine, and in larger applications, entire cities. Working on testing/development, and hopefully I have a patent by application time :)</p>