Like most parents, we tend to think our kids might be better than they are so checking to see if he has a chance at these schools.
GPA: unweighted 4.0, weighted 5.61
SAT: 2340 (CR 800, W 780, M 760)
ACT: 35
SAT Subject tests: Physics (800), Chemistry (800), Math II (800), Math I (770)
AP: Calc AB (5) APUSH (5), US Government (5), Spanish Language (5), English Language (5), World History (4)
Activities:
Its Academic team 9-12 Captain 11-12
Robotics Club 9-12 co-captain 12
Varsity Tennis 9-12
Varsity Badminton 10-12
NHS 11-12
SGA member-at-large 10-12
Model Congress 9 (received honorable mention)
HOBY (Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership) Maryland delegate 10
Baltimore County Chemathon Champion team captain 10
AP Scholar with Distinction
Nordstrom scholarship finalist
Projected National Merit finalist
Religious school teaching assistant 9-12
Over 400 volunteer hours so far in high school.
Summer programs:
Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation
Boston U RISE
I’m sure I"m missing some things but I’m doing this from memory and posting just to see if he is in the ballpark for these schools since I know they are reaches for everyone. Thanks.
He’s certainly in the ballpark for these schools academically. Stanford is kind of tough if you’re unhooked and don’t have at least state-level recognition in something. Good luck to him!
Thanks Falcon. Guess I forgot to mention that he is looking to do biomedical engineering.
Duke checks 6 things:
- GPA/rank. Check.
- Curricular rigor. I'm going to assume this is a check, though you haven't listed your son's senior schedule. Based on his prior APs, I assume it will be fine.
- Standardized tests. Check. An ACT of 35 is at the 75th percentile for Duke and Stanford, and above it for Rice. An SAT of 2340 is close to the 75th percentile. SAT II's are fine. AP scores won't count for much, but are strong.
- ECs. This are ok, but they don't stand out. There is nothing unusual or with an extremely high level of proficiency that gives your son an added edge over other applicants. The volunteer hours are strong.
- Essays. TBD.
- Letters of recommendation. TBD.
http://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2015/03/ferpa-request-gives-inside-look-duke-admissions-process
Assuming solid essays and recs, your son is definitely competitive. Unfortunately, so are 80% of the applicants. His ECs are solid, but right now nothing stands out to distinguish him, so that is the area to work on.
What are your son’s long term interests? What does he want to study? How your son presents himself and organizes his ECs will make a big difference. Showing focus and commitment instead of a diffuse set of ECs will be key. Stanford looks for “intellectual vitality” - a spark of curiosity, inquisitiveness and risk-taking based on a genuine love of learning. I don’t particularly get a sense of that based on the very limited information in the OP.
@Renaissancedad…thanks. I’m sure son has some more activities I just can’t remember them all. As for your points, yes, he is taking as tough a schedule as he can. I’m expecting good (or great) letters of recommendation and I haven’t seen his drafts of essays yet.
Long term, he wants to study Biomedical engineering and I know he impresses me but then again I’m dad. Based on what you say about “intellectual vitality” he definitely has it but it will depend if he can demonstrate that on paper.
Unfortunately, I didn’t go to any of those schools even though my brother went to Duke and sister went to Stanford, but that isn’t the direct legacy that helps.
I think that your son’s choice of schools is a great one given his interests. I’d think Duke and Stanford sound like the best fits for him, and Rice is way underrated in my opinion. I’m in Baltimore County too, and would be happy to help in any way. You or your son can always PM me.
Would he be able to get a supplemental letter related to JH Engineering Innovation or to the work he did at BU RISE?
@renaissancedad, I’m sure he can get info from both programs. JH wanted him to come back this summer as a teaching assistant but he had already commited to BU. And since you’re in Balt County also, you’ll understand when I say Hopkins is too close for my son even though he probably will still apply there.
I assumed that JH was down the list for that reason. Also, I think that the 3 schools you listed have much more of a campus and social environment than Hopkins, even though the latter has terrific biomedical engineering. Duke is very close behind, though.
My brother got accepted to duke with lower standardized test scores but his major was not as competitive. If he lives out of state he also has a greater chance to get accepted
He sounds like a great kid. In my opinion, if @renaissancedad offers his help to someone, they’d be foolish not to take him up on it. Stay in contact with him through PMing. Best of luck to your son!
You also might want to post this on the Duke and Stanford forums. There are some really knowledgable people who tend to post more on those forums.
I’m a Duke alum. Your son has the stats. It’s a matter of having a good story. BME is the toughest major at Duke. Definitely mention the legacy connection of your brother.
He will need some national level distinction for ECs to be a standout. Right now his ECs are the weakest point. Otherwise looks good.