I really want to go to Duke, How can I improve my chances?

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- B+/A-
Calc Honors- A
French IV- A-
Physics Honors- B+
US AP- A-/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>80 views, could someone please give their opinion?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

3

<p>Your chances look good, especially with the ED. </p>

<p>There’s not much you can do right now to improve your chances (you can always retake the ACT for a higher score?).</p>

4

<p>Lol ACT score is fine…what’s your ethnicity?</p>

5

<p>White (there goes affirmative action!). If it helps even slightly (I doubt it will though) I’m a dual citizen (US and Ireland). Maybe I can tie that into an essay on Gaelic Games Club and my internship with an Irish political leader? </p>

<p>But thanks for the comments.</p>

6

<p>I don’t know. You seem like a boring Bright Well Rounded Kid (BWRK). Now don’t take it the wrong way, I’m sure you’re a very nice person. It’s just that colleges want kids who don’t look the same as the other 30k-some applications. On paper, you seem like the typical Northeastern prep kid that adcoms disdain. I have no idea if this is you. Remember, your app is not necessarily you, but it’s what they see.
Nonetheless, you’re good for the other schools. Duke’s a toughie. </p>

<p>All the best :)</p>

7

<p>By other schools, I mean state universities and second-tier private colleges.</p>

8

<p>Okay thanks. Do you see anyway for me to separate from that group?</p>

9

<p>Try calling the regional administrator and tell them that you are still interested and update your information on your recent achievements. Trust me, it works!</p>

10

<p>^I’m a junior though, so I haven’t applied yet, but I will definitely do that if I am wait listed next year.</p>

11

<p>To seperate from the rest of the pool, the key is always two things: Essays and Letters of Rec. </p>

<p>These two are critical.</p>