Just visited duke and I love it - chances?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>So I just got back from visiting Duke, and out of the 5 schools I've visited, this was the only one that really clicked with me, so I'm kinda excited now. Im a rising senior btw, and I'll be applying for Pratt.</p>

<p>White, Jewish, Male
GPA: 91.7%(UW), 97.5%(W)
ACT composite: 34 (science:36, math: 35, reading: 32, english: 32)
SATII: Biology (710), Math 2c (800), awaiting score for SAT2 lit
Rank is 68/670 (10.1%)</p>

<p>APs:
--(10th): bio (5), world history (2, yeah I know, its bad)
--(11th): physics b, eng lang, comp sci ab, stat, and calc bc (expecting 4-5 on all)
--(12th): Chem, psych, physics C
also, not APs, but Ill be taking Calc. II and III through GATech next year as a senior, and english at community college</p>

<p>ECs/awards:
--(9th)--
varsity track team
science olympiad team</p>

<p>--(10th)--
Informal internship at GaTech in a computer science research lab
"captain" of science olympiad team and math team
vice president of student council
1st place at state level science fair (pre-ISEF competition), and regional
Won "Excellence in Computer Science" award from Intel
1st place at regional Tech Fair competition, 3rd place at state</p>

<p>--(Summer between 10th and 11th)--
Paid position at GaTech computer science research lab working around 40 hours/week(can get great recommendations from several professors and grad students)</p>

<p>--(11th)--
Science olympiad team
ping-pong club (this one might sound like resume padding, but ping pong is really fun!)
1st place at regional science fair
3rd place at state level science fair
eagle scout</p>

<p>--(Summer b/w 11th and 12th)--
Parttime job at retail store</p>

<p>--(12th)--
already agreed to continue working at my current job part time during school year (see previous)</p>

<p>Will be able to get excellent recommendation from professor at GaTech I've worked with, highly respected in Computer Science field. Also very strong rec from counselor</p>

<p>I know people kinda hate giving chances because they're pretty pointless, but I'd really appreciate knowing if Duke is a long shot for me or if I can plan on being accepted. Also, do you think I have any shot at any of the merit-based scholarships?</p>

2

<p>i’m sure you’ll get in with great essays… highly doubt you’ll have a chance at merit scholarships those… a lot of those kids have huge national accomplishments under their belts</p>

3

<p>Chances aren’t bad.
The ACT score is good.
Just out of curiosity, why did you take the ACT before the SAT?
Even though you are at the bottom of the top 10%, if you had a tougher courseload than the majority of those ranked ahead of you.. that won’t be too much of a problem.
Good luck!</p>

4

<p>I actually never took the SAT, only the ACT, and I don’t plan on doing so becuase Im quite satisfied with my ACT score, and based off my PSAT score, I assumed I wouldnt do as well on SAT</p>

<p>And ya, I think my courseload is tougher than the majority of the people ranked higher than me in terms of quantity of AP classes, but how will duke (and other colleges) know that this is the reason for my somewhat poor ranking?</p>

5

<p>Good Luck! Hope You Get In!</p>

6

<p>Duke puts more emphasis on taking challenging courses than your class rank, so I don’t see your class rank as a problem whatsoever. They know what pretty much every particular high school offers and expects you to take the toughest course load available, which it seems like you have done. Your chances look very solid, especially if you apply ED. I wouldn’t hold your breath for a merit scholarship, though. A very very small percentage get those, and it’s even more of a crapshoot that admission itself as the competition is fierce and who knows what they’re looking for exactly…Good luck!</p>

7

<p>I guessed that my chances at merit were slim, but would be soooo cool if I got one! (im dreaming haha)
Thanks for the chances everyone, anymore would be fantastic!</p>

<p>Im most afraid of my rank and ECs hurting me, though thanks for comforting my concerns about my rank, bluedog. I hoped that the 2 summers plus spring semester of formal work experience (by time of application) would compensate; what do yall think?</p>