I Bleed Duke Blue (STILL!)

Colleges & Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>Haha that was the title of the chances thread I made way back my sophomore year, and it still holds true! Soooo how do I really stand now?</p>

<p>I (white upper middle class female) go to a techy magnet school, ranked 22 in the country by Newsweek</p>

<p>GPA: 4.780 w 4.000 uw</p>

<p>Rank: 1 / 85</p>

<p>ACT: 35 (36 W, 35 M, 36 R, 31 S)</p>

<p>Critical Reading: 800
Math: 710 (boooo, will retake because of this...)
Writing: 780</p>

<p>Chem: 780
Math II: Scores Pending... I'm guessing this is the deal breaker considering my SAT score</p>

<p>Junior Schedule:
AP Psych-5
AP Chem-4
Chem Research
AP Language-4
AP Calc AB-5
AP US History-5
+ 2 college courses at UF (Honors Seminar on Medical Neurosci & Lab research)</p>

<p>Senior Schedule:
AP Calc BC
AP Stat
AP Bio
AP Lit
AP Computers A/AB
Multimedia (mandatory)
Planning to take Physics at CC second semester after apps are done with. </p>

<p>ECs:
Big Brothers Big Sisters (President)
Math Honor Society /Mu Alpha Theta (Vice President)
School Newspaper
National Honor Society
Spanish Honor Society
Speech and Debate Honor Society (Degree of Honor)
Academic Team</p>

<p>Awards and stuff: </p>

<p>National Merit Semifinalist
Intel ISEF finalist – (Medicine & Health)
Various state and international level awards for engineering competition on hydrogen fuel cell technology
Exhibitor at several expos on renewable energy/conservation</p>

<p>Summer programs:
2 summers at Duke TiP
University of Florida SSTP-CPET
High school / college credit
Research w/ Professor (7 weeks 200+ lab hours)</p>

<p>Volunteering: 100 hours Big Brothers Big Sisters
100 hours as teacher assistant at local science center summer program</p>

<p>I plan to major in BME, and eventually attend Med school</p>

<p>THANKSSSS</p>

2

<p>sounds great…I wouldn’t worry about SAT1 math just do good on the Math II SAT IIs.
Good luck from a fellow BME applicant!</p>

3

<p>thanks, good luck to you too! </p>

<p>and while I have your attention…for the supplement about research, will an abstract suffice? I didn’t really interpet it as an essay about your actual research experience, but i guess it could be…</p>

4

<p>no opinions?</p>

5

<p>If you are talking about that one optional essay about “did you do research; provide a brief account” that is on the application I would describe like how you got into it and maybe like 2 sentences what you actually worked on… then submit your abstract separately.</p>

<p>That is what I did at least, but I am going to submit a research paper I did for my internship.</p>

6

<p>hmm Duke would look at extra material? I have a research paper as well, should I send that? </p>

<p>and thanks to everybody for chances haha</p>

7

<p>Only retake if you know you will do better on the Math SAT for sure.
If you think the 710 was a fluke, I would retake.
Otherwise don’t bother, with the exception of Caltech, a 1510 is above the average for every university in the nation.</p>

8

<p>yeah I really have no idea how to explain/improve my “low” SAT math scores. I consistently get 760+ on practice tests (including the ones hosted by kaplan and PR), but that doesn’t quite follow through on the real thing (i got a 680 (ahhh!) my second try)…</p>

<p>so, what are my chances of becoming a blue devil?</p>

9

<p>220+ viewers and no real chances. What about this post is so awful?</p>

10

<p>Decent, take a chill pill, apply to colleges and where you end up is where you end up.
Do you think I actually wanted to go to Duke as a high school senior but I’m here now! :p</p>

11

<p>Personally, I think you have a great shot - good scores, good ECs, you’re alright all-around. </p>

<p>Oh, and is your username a reference to Neutral Milk Hotel? <3</p>

12

<p>yes, it is. :]</p>

13

<p>With a 35M on the ACT the 710 SAT doesn’t matter, particularly with the strong AP calc. You will be accepted to Duke, particularly if you apply to Pratt, which is less capricious than Trinity on admissions. If you are sure about BME and medicine, you should also look at the Rice/Baylor Medical Scholars program, although the application deadline in December 1.</p>

14

<p>790 Math II</p>

<p>sup</p>