I know you really want to chance me (please haha)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>Hey,
Right now I am currently a Junior at a pretty well respected/rigorous Christian school in NY (and I commute 1.5 hrs a day there). I really want to attend Duke, but its obviously extremely difficult to be admitted. I've listed my stats and ECs below, is there anything I should do to better my chances? </p>

<p>Cum (W)GPA- 3.9, ACT 33</p>

<p>And we can't take APs until Junior year and more than 2 honors until Sophomore year. Also, my school does not give A+s, an A is the best grade. </p>

<p>Frosh Year (GPA 3.54- Yes I know this is very low)
French II- B-
Geometry Honors- B+
English- A-
Religion- A-
World History- A-
Music- B+
Health A
Biology- A-</p>

<p>Sophomore (GPA 4.02)
English II Honors- A-
US History Honors- A-
Alg II Honors- A-
French III- A-
Chem- A-
Health- A-
Art- A-
Religion- A</p>

<p>Junior Year (GPA 4.2-4.26ish)
English AP- A-
Calc Honors- A
French IV- A-
Physics Honors- A-
US AP- A
Religion- A
Music- A</p>

<p>Senior Year Courses:
AP EnviSci
AP Stat
AP Econ (Micro and Macro)
AP Euro History
Religion
English </p>

<p>ECs
Freshman Cross Country- Captain- Elected
Indoor and Outdoor Track- Freshman, Soph, Jr
-Note: I'm pretty good at track, and if I cut off a few more seconds on my mid/long distance events I might get a scholarship at some schools, so this could help
Student Council- Elected and Served-End of Freshman- End of Jr, Elections for next year coming up
Gaelic Games Club- Co-Founded sophomore year
Ping Pong Tournament for Charity- Founded, sophomore and junior years
NHS- Tutor 2 hours a week
Community Service- about 150 hours, have done a little more than school requirements, plan to do excess this summer to make around 200
I am also going over to Ireland this summer and working in their Parliment with a politician for a few weeks there, will this help (maybe as a double major Econ/Pol Sci?)</p>

<p>What can I do to better my chances for Duke? I plan to apply ED, so that should help.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>ED should definitely help.
My suggestion about improving your chances is just to not get complacent about anything in your application you think you can improve.
If you think you can improve your ACT score then do a little prep and retake it (I improved mine 4 points without too much work, so it’s definitely possible).
Try the SAT; it can’t hurt.
Write an essay that’s totally you.
Your grades are amazing, so now it’s all about getting everything else to the highest level you can.
Best of luck!</p>

<p>Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, congrats on the Ireland government work. That should help. Be sure to talk about it. I think there’s an optional essay where you can talk about that stuff!</p>

3

<p>Thanks. I’ve tried the SAT a few times (3) and my scores haven’t been close to what I got on my ACT (1900s). I might retake the ACT in September though, just in case I can get a 34+.</p>

4

<p>Oh and I forgot to include my SAT IIs. I know with the ACT you don’t have to send them, but should I send them anyway (Math I and US)?</p>

<p>Math I- 730
US History- 770
Math II- 700</p>