I know you're sick of threads like this, but Chances for a Kansas kid?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Duke University
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<p>Age: 17</p>

<p>Location: Wichita, Kansas</p>

<p>Class: 2010 (going to be a senior)</p>

<p>GPA: 3.74 Unweighted 3.94 Weighted</p>

<p>AP/Honors: English 9,10,11 Honors, AP US History, Biology Honors, Chemistry Honors, Took Algebra 2 as a freshman. </p>

<p>Got a 4 on AP US History Exam. </p>

<p>ACT: 34 English and Reading - 34
Math and Science - 33</p>

<p>EC's: 3 years football, 2 years tennis, 3 years marching band, 2 years concert band, 1 year Business Professionals of America, 3 years NHS, Boy Scouts (not an Eagle yet), 2 years of Model United Nations, Church Group Leader for 1 year, Newspaper (sports editor).</p>

<p>Plan on doing ROTC so that takes care of tuition, but I have a full ride to TCU and A&M so I probably won't go to Duke unless I get it down REAL cheap. </p>

<p>Other schools I'm looking at, in order of priority:</p>

<ol>
<li>TCU, University of Texas, Rice, University of Illinois (cold!)</li>
<li>Texas A&M, West Point, Air Force Academy</li>
<li>Baylor, Oklahoma State</li>
<li>Kansas State</li>
</ol>

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<p>By the way (sorry for not posting in the chances thread, I didn’t see it at first)</p>

<p>Rank is 70/490 unweighted, 45 out of 490 weighted</p>

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<p>huge longshot</p>

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<p>Then why don’t you try Air Force? I mean Air Force ROTC is one of the most respected ROTC out there really.</p>

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<p>cdz512, what? Did I miss something in my post that you saw (if I mistyped, my fault, sorry)</p>

<p>I am looking into both Army and Air Force ROTC, but the scholarships are more or less the same, it takes care of tuition and books.</p>

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<p>You definitely have a chance. Apply. ROTC at Duke is supposedly great and those participating in it are still a part of the Duke community unlike at certain schools; that is, you can expect a more “typical” college experience. Enrolling at Air Force or West Point is COMPLETELY different and certainly not for everybody, but may be a better fit for certain individuals. I personally would greatly prefer ROTC at Duke and I know many people who have gone through the program and they’d all recommend it - mostly Naval ROTC, though.</p>

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<p>

Oops. Sorry I messed up. I ment the Air Force academy. What I’m saying that you are going to the Armed Forces (Military) right? If then Air Force trains you not only through ROTC but also through further leadership and commanding skills. I mean if you are admitted to the Army and Air Force, you don’t pay for tuition, room & boarding, and books are covered (you don’t pay for any of them). If I’m not wrong, you also get paid while being in the Air Force academy. </p>

<p>I’m not saying you shouldn’t go to Duke. But since you have a interest in the US Armed Forces, I think that Air Force Academy is a good fit for you because you don’t have to pay for tuition, you get paid while studying and you get a great education. Air Force academy graduates often have higher ranks than people who don’t go to Air Force academy (in the military that is). Accepting a Air Force ROTC scholarship for all 4 years of college means that you are going to join the military-only 5% get offered the full tuition scholarship, 10% get offered the $18,000 scholarship(of course if you don’t accepted offered, you don’t have to join). Though Army’s offer is different.</p>

<p>I’m not that familiar with ROTC or how it really works other than the scholarship part. But I will say that you should apply to Duke, you have a good chance. Plus Duke FA is really good too, it covers a lot of your tuition if you are really financially restrained. Duke’s education is one of best in the nation. And on your list, Duke and Rice have the best education. And you get to experience a top college education and experience.</p>

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<p>Duke ROTC covers full tuition and other financial benefits as well. Essentially, it’s a small stipend on top of full tuition.</p>

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<p>

That’s not from Duke itself. That’s why they have to apply for the scholarship from the Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC. They get their scholarships from them not Duke.</p>

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<p>Yep, you’re right. Sorry I wasn’t clear/perhaps misspoke.</p>

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<p>

No it’s ok. Honestly, the ROTC thing is confusing. I initially was puzzled. I had to read a couple of things to understand it.</p>

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<p>Don’t want to be annoying. But I only really recieved 2 helpful “chance” responses.</p>

<p>Thanks guys.</p>

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<p>@maizeeagle86</p>

<p>Is there anything amazing about you that you haven’t posted? SAT 2 scores? You look fine but you don’t jump out yet. Your Act scores are good. Will you have more AP classes? What is your Eagle project - generally speaking?</p>

<p>You can go ED to increase your shot at admission to Duke but obviously if you plan to pursue admission at WP or AFA then ED is out for you.</p>

<p>AFROTC has restrictons on majors regarding the value of scholarships awarded - AROTC does not.</p>

<p>All AROTC programs cover tuition, and all student fees. There is a monthly stipend and a books allowance, too. NROTC is virtually the same but the stipend and books allowance is less. AFROTC has tiered scholarships that award certain technical majors with more money.</p>

<p>If money is awarded to cover room and board then it’s coming from the college or university - not the ROTC scholarship program.</p>

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<p>really? ■■■■■ right there</p>

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<p>(sarcasm) Thanks Cathy, I’ll make sure to check that out. </p>

<p>Don’t you love ■■■■■■?</p>

<p>Thanks for the help guys, just trying to get as much info as possible. </p>

<p>Shiloh, what do you think would make me stand out more?</p>

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<p>maizeeagle86</p>

<p>I don’t know what makes you stand out. I always like students who are not just study grinds. Your bio looks interesting, scouts, sportswriting, football, band (what section? and how does one do band and football?)</p>

<p>It’s the lack of AP classes that are a concern - lots of honors, though. I don’t see the passion focus either. If Duke gets your app with the apps from students from the top 1-3% of your HS class how will your transcript and ECs compare?</p>

<p>Duke looks like the hardest college on your list in terms of admissions and the calibre of students who will be in your classes. It’s doable but ask your dad or your scoutmaster or an amenable teacher what makes you stand out.</p>

<p>You should have no problem securing an AROTC scholarship, AFROTC depends on your major, same for NROTC - only 15% go to humanities majors.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

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<p>Well, I my school doesn’t offer a TON of AP classes, and all of the AP classes are pretty much Chemistry, Calc, Stats. I took all of the AP “humanities” available, AP Gov and APUSH.</p>

<p>Also, I was in the low brass, two years trombone, one year tuba. And I just didn’t perform on friday nights with the band, I just did the competitions. </p>

<p>Thanks for the help.</p>

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<p>One last opinion - when trying to communicate a passion - your peers can really pound that out of you (it’s herd behaviour my peers do it, too)- look elsewhere for support or inspiration.</p>

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<p>Dude Shiloh,</p>

<p>Thanks a ton for all your advice, I really appreciate it.</p>

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<p>I personally dont see it happening with that rank unless you go to a REALLY strong school. The majority of students I have seen at Duke that come from your typical HS finished in the top 5 or so of their class. Don’t let that stop you from applying though, try to be unique in your essays and emphasize how involved you were in your ECs and you never know. Your rank is gonna be far lower than most applicants and with only one AP class it doesnt look as if your couresload was extremely challenging. Thats the problem I see, but like I said-- go for it anyway…dont let people on a forum discourage you-- my application had holes in it too im sure.</p>