Should I even apply? UChicago, Duke, Emory, et al.

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>The Numbers</p>

<p>White--Low Income
High School: Public, Southern, No APs</p>

<p>Unweighted: ~3.30
Weighted: ~4.30
Class Rank: ~Top 10-20% (Haven't gotten my transcript from last semester, but I was 5th as of last January)
Class Size: ~47
ACT: 30 (Retook; hoping for a 31 or 32)</p>

<p>Intended Major: Public Policy Studies or something close</p>

<p>-Significant state government positions and policy-writing experience</p>

<p>... My EC's are more than fine; I'm mainly concerned with my grades.</p>

<p>The Schools</p>

<p>The University of Chicago
Duke University, Instate Legacy
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Instate Epic Legacy
Emory University, Legacy
Vanderbilt University
Oxford College of Emory University
The North Carolina State University, Instate</p>

<p>A closer look at my grades</p>

<p>AP classes were all online, and I had significant issues with many of them due to ADD.
<strong>I will be able to send first-semester grades in time for review.</strong></p>

<p>9th
AP Art History-94 (3), H. Advanced Comp.-95, H. Apps of Science-96, H. English I-98, H. Engineering-95, H. Pre-cal-99, H. World History-96, Algebra II-90, Geometry-96</p>

<p>10th</p>

<p>AP Calc BC-70 (1), AP Physics B-65 (2), College Spanish I-96, College Spanish II-88, H. English II-97, College Spanish III-88, College Spanish IV-WP, H. Chem-96, H. Earth/Environmental-100, H. English IV-99</p>

<p>11th</p>

<p>AP English Lit-73 (4 on Exam), AP US History-70 (3 on Exam), College Calc I-96, College Chem I-96, H. Biology-96, College Calc II-80, College Chem II-80, College American Government-96, H. Civics and Econ-91</p>

<p>12th</p>

<p>College American Lit I--Expecting an A, College Calc III--Expecting a B, College Calc-based Physics I--Expecting an A, College Microeconomics--Expecting an A, H. Intro to Western Philosophy--Expecting an A, College Differential Equations, College Calc-based Physics II, College Macroeconomics, College PE, H. Discrete Math</p>

2

<p>Bump! Any advice or ideas?</p>

3

<p>You should find out exactly what your rank is, since there’s a huge disparity between top 10% and top 20%.</p>

<p>Still, with your numbers, Duke, Chicago and Vanderbilt will all be very tough. Emory will be a little better, and everything else should be good.</p>

4

<p>Did your parents graduate from 3 colleges?</p>

5

<p>The University of Chicago - High Reach
Duke University, Instate Legacy - High Reach
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Low Reach
Emory University, Legacy - Low Reach
Vanderbilt University - Low Reach
Oxford College of Emory University - Match
The North Carolina State University - Match / Low Match</p>

6

<p>

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<p>I got my transcript today; I’m exactly 10th out of 47. :frowning: I have no idea if it will move after first semester. Oh, and it’s not that I’m in the middle of nowhere that much-- my school has admissions process although it’s public, and we started with about 110 kids my freshman year; as you can see, more than half dropped out, most because of the requirements.</p>

<p>Another factor I’d mention, along with that, is that I’m a member of my school’s first graduating class; colleges won’t be familiar with my school.</p>

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<p>Mom attended Duke for her Ph.D., my aunt and uncle have 3 degrees combined from Emory, and the most direct descendant of effectively the most prominent persons in UNC-CH history other than my father and grandfather (as well as being related to several other UNC alumni).</p>

<p>Thanks to everyone for their advice so far! I agree with eak325, expect I’m considering NCSU my safety because admission is major-specific, and I’m not applying to engineering or first-year college. I was also thinking UNC is more of a match (assuming first semester grades are high). I’m applying to NCSU early, and will hear back in December, so that’s why my current list is reach-heavy.</p>

<p>So I guess the answer to my question (Should I even apply?) is a qualified yes?</p>

7

<p>Colleges not being familiar with your school will not significant impact your chances. The main problem, however, is that you aren’t even in the second decile for your class and have a below median ACT score.</p>

8

<p>Then you’re not a legacy at Duke. Legacy only counts for undergraduate experience. The rank and test scores will put a lot of hurt on you, but I’m assuming you know better than I do given your experience on CC.</p>

9

<p>You are not a legacy at Duke or Emory. </p>

<p>Regional reps will generally talk to counselors to understand a new school.</p>

<p>Rank will make the top schools tough.</p>

10

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<p>Thank you for your honesty; I realize that these are very significant issues, and that it is difficult to chance someone on what might be. Assuming that I do very well this semester, is really going to be held against me that, say, 5/47 is out of the holy top 10%? Again, I’m not sure if that’s possible at this point, but I’m not sure if I understand how important rank is.</p>

<p>I’ll let y’all know when I receive my knew ACT score, but will one or two points (bringing me to the average composite at most of these schools) effect a significant change in my chances? </p>

<p>

Doesn’t this depend on the school? The site only says “a legacy student is an applicant who has grandparents, parents, or siblings who have attended or are attending Duke”; I also received an invitation to an “alumni’s children” event at Duke, if that’s any indication. Although, I understand that legacy status at Duke really only means a third admissions officer reads one’s file before he or she is rejected.</p>

11

<p>You’re not a legacy, sorry to break your bubble. My father was a Yale PhD, and I’ve been invited to some “alumni’s children” events before (and to be honest, never went), but I guarantee you that neither your nor I are legacies nonetheless.</p>

12

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<p>I’m not sure it makes much of a difference at this point. Thanks for the clarification, though. I mentioned instate, though, as I’m sure most of you are aware, because Duke has to accept ~14% of its incoming class from NC and SC.</p>

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<p>The problem I’m having is reconciling my experience on CC with what I’ve seen in the few people from my town who’ve been admitted to top schools. 0.o</p>