<p>Help! My son (11th grade) is Math & Science guy, advanced to AIME (2010, 2011). The problems is he's not organized, and often miss and/or turn in late homeworks & assignments resulted to the lower GPAs (3.5 UW, 4.0 W). Activities: Students council, M-UN, Sci-Olympiad (Varsity), TYMP, NHS etc... I was wondering if his low High School grades and rank (25%) will keep him out of Duke Univ. </p>
<p>He took three APs (Comp Sci, Calculus , Physics) in 2010 and all 5s on AP Exams, and taking five APs (Cal, Physics, Eng., US Hist, Latin) in 2011.</p>
<p>On the positive side, he is in National Merit Scholarship for his PSAT score of 228 (99th percentile) and his SAT scores are CR 760, M 800, W 730, (CR + M) = 1560. His ACT score is 35. </p>
<p>What are his chances for Duke / Pratt School of Eng.? Any recommendations?</p>
<p>if its nott too late due to end of the school year he can ask his teachers if there are any extra credit assignments available. This has worked for my daughter on occasion when she’s needed/wanted a few extra points. Depending on his school expect a no, but occasionally you get a yes. He has to do the work of course.</p>
<p>Sometimes I get sad seeing these posts because a 3.5 is still an A and a grade to be proud of. If you think he’s not trying his best or has organization issues there’s an app for that. Just kidding. Get him a planner. Make sure he understands and uses it. And even though it might be too late grade wise, make sur next year you’re on top of it because organization is a life skill. Plus if senoritis begins to kick in he may really damage his GPA. </p>
<p>I ask my daughter everyday if she has homework so she knows I’m interested and invested. She has a set homework time immediately after school or sports. If she has no homework she can use the time to take a nap, read or listen to music. I know each family has a different dynamic but this is what works for us. </p>
<p>Good luck and try not to stress so much over the 3.5. His other stats sound excellent.</p>
<p>An almost perfect standardized test score will not overcome a less-than-stellar high school academic record, word up.</p>
<p>The first and most important aspect of any admissions decision comes down to the strength of performance with the most rigorous curriculum available to your son. By far, this indeed is THE MOST important and weighty factor for the elites, in particular. An average/slightly above average GPA and almost perfect SAT/ACT scores makes the student look like a great test taker but just not motivated to consisently pursue excellence in the rigorous classroom setting.</p>
<p>Some really great schools don’t even REQUIRE the SAT anymore (ie, Wake Forest). That is one fantastic school! In fact, some believe that standardized testing may soon be the last factor in terms of weight for admissions decisions.</p>
<p>Guess which one will always remain? The high school record.</p>
<p>the kitesurfer.</p>