<p>Thank you! cdz, do you know of anyone whose artistic supplement helped them a lot?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yes I do, I have a friend that applied as international and got in (he goes to one of the best US schools that is ranked really high but he was not a permanent resident, he had to apply international). He didn’t exactly have the best GPA, his test scores were good, his ECs are also pretty good. But he was great at an instrument and so he made a recording and sent it in. He got accepted and so I believed that really helped.</p>
<p>Damn that’s awesome. This makes me excited :)</p>
<p>It looks rather low on CC. The GPA. haha. I think I feel better though… a slight amount of confidence. Good luck to everyone who applies!!</p>
<p>Don’t worry you have a great chance.</p>
<p>Sex: Male
Race: Hispanic (Puerto Rican)
Intended Major: History
High School Info: One of the best Public High Schools in America. We used to be #11 on the US New Report, but somehow this year we were in the 30s… Every year we send a minimum of 3 kids to Harvard, 2 to Yale… Dozens to Ivys.</p>
<p>GPA - 3.4. Its not that hot but I have a very steep upward trend. My freshman year I was sort of depressed and did not really try, I got alot of 3.0s. My sophmore and junior years I got all 3.5s and 4.0s however with a few APS thrown in. (A 5 in APUSH and a 4 in AP Biology)</p>
<p>SAT Scores (probably wont use): 2020 - 680 CR, 670 Math, 670 Writing.</p>
<p>SAT II Scores: Will take this coming fall.</p>
<p>ACT Scores (will probably take again):
Composite: 31
English: 32
Math: 31
Reading: 32
Science: 27 (this blew it)</p>
<p>Classes (Junior Year)
- Math - 3.5… barely
- AP US History - 4.0, 5 on the AP
- AP Biology - 3.5, 4 on the AP
- Music Theory - 4.0
- Symphony Orchestra - 4.0 (I’m President of the Orchestra)
- Chinese I - 3.5
- Writing Communications - 4.0 (I got a lot of great examples of my writing here. It was a HARD class with essays every 2 or 3 days… She said I was one of the best she has ever had, and she is using a lot of my work as examples for her next classes. I’m going to hit her up for a recommendation…)
- World of Shakespeare - 3.0 (I don’t like excuses but I really think she didn’t like me because I was Puerto Rican and automatically thought I was a slacker…)
- History of Music - 4.0
- Chamber Orchestra - Pass.</p>
<p>Senior Year Classes
- Math
- AP Earth Science
- AP European History
- AP Music Theory
- Chinese II
- Symphony Orchestra (President)
- Chamber Orchestra
- Film Study
- Literature of Childhood</p>
<p>Current Extracurriculars (in school):
- Varsity Wrestling since 9th Grade at a 1,300 student school. Shot of being captain next year
- President of the Symphony Orchestra (we win the Music In the Parks Great East festival basically every year)
- Captain of the Ultimate Frisbee Team (about 30 kids in the program, we have played other schools)
- Captain & Co-Founder of the Badminton team
- Captain & Co-Founder of the Footbag (hacky sack) team
- Principle Bassist (1st chair) of Symphony Orchestra
- Principle Bassist of Chamber Orchestra (we have to try out at our school)</p>
<p>Current Extracurriculars (out of school):</p>
<p>I am heavily involved with Numismatics (coin / currency collecting). For the past two summers I have gotten a full Young Numismatist scholarship to go to Colorado College for the American Numismatic Association’s Summer Seminar. I am the number one Currency grader under the age of 18 in the USA.</p>
<p>I work for a dealer of obsolete bank notes, essentially he trusts me with tens of thousands of dollars worth of his inventory. I go to auctions, bid on things for him (again at times upwards of $10,000) and go to shows to sell notes for him. I also catalog for his website.</p>
<p>I with a friend of mine lead a coin club after the past guy who ran it passed away… I have given several lectures to kids and adults at various coin shows and coin club meetings on topics ranging from The Origins of Paper Currency, National Bank Notes, as well as how to grade and preserve paper currency.</p>
<p>Outside of Numismatics I play bass the New York Area-All State symphony Orchestra.</p>
<p>I am also volunteering with the SCA (Student Conservation Association) at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forrest. Basically I’ll be preserving the landscape and restoring it so that tourists and other groups can come in and view the historical site. I’m leaving in a few days to Virginia for about a month for that.</p>
<p>Most of my outside extracurricular activities however have to do with Numismatics. I will probably write one of my essays about my involvement the Coin/Currency business and the hobby in general. I personally think that makes me sort of unique.</p>
<p>Other stuff:</p>
<p>I used to be overweight, but my Freshman year I brought myself out of it by working out constantly and joining wrestling (i made varsity). I lost over 30 pounds and got in shape all on my own. Maybe a good essay topic?</p>
<p>My older brother also went to Duke.</p>
<p>SAT: 2020 (650CR, 720M, 650W, 10E)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): Freshman (3.33) Sophomore (3.71) Junior (4) Overall: 3.68
Weighted GPA: Freshman (3.33) Sophomore (4.0) Junior (4.71) Overall: 4.01
AP (grade on Exam): Computer Science (1) World History (5) Statistics (4) Chemistry (4) U.S. History (5) English (4)
Total Number of AP’s (not including senior year) : 6
Senior Course load: all AP with 1 honor class
Extracurricular: National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Science Olympiad, French Club
Leadership: one of the captains for the schools Robotic Team AND in India me and my parents have created a organization that raises nearly 10,000 every month and we use this to build schools and other education things in the rural areas…I go there every summer and help out and I teach there also during summer
Awards: 3rd Place at Science Fair Regional (10th), 1st Place Science Fair Regional (11th)
State: Virginia
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Indian
Gender: Male</p>
<p><em>I know my GPA is low but I significantly improved each year AND i feel my leadership is decent (definitely not Great though lol), do u think this would be a Plus for me?</em></p>
<p>cgb8007, first off your GPA might be on the downside but I think the difficulty of the school and courses will most likely make up for the low GPA. It is good that you have a upward trend so that will help. If you raise that test score and have subscores all 30 and above, it will be great. Since you are a URM it will help. Your ECs are wonderful. Overall, you have a good chance.</p>
<p>Philly93, Your SAT score isn’t that hot I have to say, the average competitive applicants have around 2100-2300. It will be great is you have scores above 700, you will be competitive with the other applicants. Your upward trend does show that you have worked hard and the number of APs will help you. Your ECs are really weak I have to say. Yes your leadership will help but your EC’s will hurt you. You do have a good chance at Duke.</p>
<p>Good luck to both of you!</p>
<p>Secondary school: will be first graduating class of a newly established science/mathematics magnet program in MD
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Asian
College class: 2014</p>
<p>Major: biology at Trinity</p>
<p>SAT: 2360 (800 cr, 780 m, 780 w)
SAT 2: Math 2 800, will be taking bio and physics in Oct (aiming for 750+)
Rank: school doesnt rank but definitely top 5% or maybe higher out of a class of 278
GPA: 4.0 UW on 4.0 scale, 4.82 W
APs: 8 total depending on senior schedule; so far: 5 bio, 5 lang, 5 psych, 4 world
Rigor of course: pretty hard, I’ve been taking advantage of AP’s and the special magnet science courses such as analytical/physical chemistry, genetics, and optics</p>
<p>Awards:
National merit commended (maybe semifinalist)
Honor roll/All A’s award for 3 years
AP scholar with honors so far
Perfect attendance award freshman and sophomore year (cheesy, I know)
George Washington University Engineering award for excellence in study in science and mathematics</p>
<p>EC’s (definitely my weakest point):
JV/varsity indoor and outdoor track
Conducting a research project at the National Institutes of Health – NEI (National Eye Institute) this summer, 8 weeks 40 hrs a week
CIT (counselor in training) at various summer camps, volunteer at libraries
Part of MCR (Montgomery County Regional Government) Executive Board – Voter Registration Director
Asian American club – active member
Officer in school Robotics Team
Math team – active member
Investment Club/Ping-Pong Club
Work- tutor at Kumon Math and Reading Center 3 days a week for 3 hours per day
just 148 hrs of community service, trying to get more</p>
<p>Do I even need to chance you? I mean honestly.</p>
<p>Sex: Female
Ethnicity: Asian American…born in america, but family is from india</p>
<p>Academics:
GPA: 3.97 unweighted, 4.61 weighted
My high school does not rank
AP Classes:
Sophomore- AP Chemistry (5 on exam)
Junior- AP Psychology (4 on exam), AP Biology (5 on exam), AP AB Calc (5 on exam), AP English lang (4 on exam)
Senior- will be taking AP Spanish Lang, AP English Lit, AP Stat, and AP Human Geo</p>
<p>Test Scores:
SAT I Math: 750
SAT I Reading: 670
SAT I Writing: 800
Total: 2220, but my superscore is 2240 (I received a 690 on reading the first time I took it)</p>
<p>SAT II’s:
Chemistry- 800
Biology- 700
Will be taking math in october, 2009</p>
<p>PSAT:
211</p>
<p>Extra curriculars-
Class President of 2010 (9th grade-present)
Girl Scouts (2nd grade-present)
Treasurer of Club INNcredible (club which volunteers at the Childrens Inn at NIH)
Piano (2nd grade-10th grade)
National Honor Society
Spanish Honors Society
Science National Honors Society
Member of Science, Research and Technology Signature Program at High School</p>
<p>Over 350 hours of Volunteer Hours (which means I will receive an award, not sure which one)</p>
<p>Awards:
Received the Silver Award in Girl Scouts (volunteer work)
First cut of Maryland Distinguished Scholar award, waiting for next round</p>
<p>I am currently participating in a summer internship/apprenticeship at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. It is an 8-week program, and I am working with a mentor with her research. I cannot go in to details about the research because it is still confidential.</p>
<p>Ahh i think im average compared to the other students applying to duke, but i dont know. Thanks in advance for any of your comments!</p>
<p>I’m a Female going into my junior year of high school.
I’m white/Caucasian and already live in North Carolina.
My perspective major is either history or political science.</p>
<p>I attend a small private christian school that does not offer AP classes.
Upcoming Junior Year Schedule: AFM (honors not offered), Trigonometry (H), Chemistry (H), Intro to Law (H), Zoology (H), US History (H), Civics (H), English 3 (H).
Perspective Senior Schedule: Pre Cal (H), Calculus (H), English 4 (H), Spanish 2(H), Euro History(H), Anatomy(H), Adv Art 2, (last class of senior year undecided, class selection is VERY VERY limited) Also, senior schedule is subject to change.</p>
<p>My GPA is 4.51 weighted.
My SAT I and ACT scores are not great at all, I am a horrible standard tester. But, I’m avidly working on that issue. (HINT: SAT I score is Literally around the 1300 -1500 area)
BUT they will be raised drastically.
Have not taken the SAT II tests yet.</p>
<p>I’m 1 or 2 out of 30 students in my graduating class.</p>
<p>My extracurricular activities include:
Basketball (JV) - 9, 10, (will play one more yr of JV then 12th year will play Varsity)
Captain of JV basketball team - 10
Soccer (Varsity) - 10, and will play 11th and 12th also
Volleyball (Varsity) - Upcoming 11th and will 12th also
Member of FCA
Secretary of the National Honors Society - 10
President of my schools Key Club - 10, 11
Lt. Gov. of District 17 of the Carolinas (NC & SC) District for Key Club - 10-11
Will more than likely re-run for the Lt. Gov. position for year 11-12 also
United Methodist Church Youth Group Participate - 9, 10… 11, 12
Big Brother, Big Sister Program - 10… 11, 12
Vice President of the Student Body (SGA) - 11 (Will run for president for senior year)
This upcoming fall will be a Page for an NC Legislator
I also plan to attend the Methodist Church conference in NYC this upcoming year.</p>
<p>Arts:
I have played Violin for 8 years and still studying (participating in national events such as Swedish/American Tour Concerts, etc)
Play guitar, piano, and taking voice for a number of years
Dance for 9 years
Won numerous awards in the Annual NCSI Art festival events</p>
<p>Will have good over 300 hours of community service</p>
<p>I do not have any relatives that have attended Duke, but I will have access to many alumni recommendations, as well as teacher and guidance councilor recommendations.</p>
<p>I visited Duke this past year with my school, met up with one of my friends already attending Duke divinity afterward. I do not know what else to say other than I fell in utter love with everything about the school, not just the ambiance, the people, or the architecture, but the challenges and opportunities it creates. Although, it is not usual for someone to come from a school like mine in my opinion. Everyone around, even given my credentials, do not believe I even have a shot. I just want an honest opinion. Duke is my dream and any advice about what to do now while I’m only now leaving my sophomore year would be amazing!
Advice on ED also?</p>
<p>Sex: Male
Ethnicity: Born in Pakistan, so I guess Asian?</p>
<p>Academics:
GPA: 4.00 unweighted, 4.73 weighted
Class Rank: 3/326
AP Classes:
Junior – Bio(5 on exam), CalcBC(5), USHist(5) EngLang(3)
Senior – Plan on taking Stats, Chemistry, Euro, EngLit, and Psychology</p>
<p>Test Scores:
PSAT: 1980
SAT I: Writing(700), Reading(670), Math(800) – Total(2170), but planning to retake
SAT II’s: MathLevel2(770), Biology(720)</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:
Future Business Leaders of America (9)
Junior Civitans (10)
World Cultures Club (11, 12)
National Honor Society (11, 12)
Mu Alpha Theta (10, 11, 12)
National French Honor Society (11, 12)
I do some volunteer work at my community center, but its not documented or anything, so I don’t know if it counts</p>
<hr>
<p>So yeah, I pretty much fall flat in the extracurricular department, but I’m hoping my grades make up for that. I also have several cousins who went to Duke.</p>
<p>tingting92, you have a nice chance. you have good EC’s, good GPA (especially with the tough schedule) and good test score (maybe you can try to get that reading above a 700?). Your volunteering can help you. And your girl scouting will be a plus in my mind because of your dedication to help others. Yes you actually are somewhat average, but you can always try to work on your essay. If you really want to go to Duke try ED.</p>
<p>noellemcd, honestly, I can’t say anything about you. It’s too early. Just work on keeping good grades and good test scores. Enjoy high school, stop worrying about admissions yet. As long as your work hard, you’ll be fine. </p>
<p>ktakeda, your school schedule and GPA are good. By the way PSAT is only three digits so I think you mean 198, not 1980. Your test scores are okay but I would advise you try to get the reading above 700 too. Your EC’s are not very strong I have to say. Most of your ECs are simply “societies” that don’t really have much activities when you compare them to like Science Olympiad or Volunteer Club. Your grades won’t really make up for it, sorry. It’s because a lot of people that apply have similar grades as you do, and only EC’s can make you stand out. By the way cousins don’t count as legacies.</p>
<p>Good Luck to Y’all!!!</p>
<p>Age: 17
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: African-American
Location: MD
School: prestigious private college prep school. Sends about 10-20% of graduating class to ivy league schools every year
UW GPA: 94.78
SAT: 2090 (CR 630, Math 740, Writing 720)
Best Scores: 2170 (CR 670, Math 740, Writing 760)
SAT II: Chem: 750, Spanish 740, Math II: 720
APs Taken: Spanish Language, Physics B
Honors Courses: Algebra II, Geometry/Trig, Precalculus, Biology, Chemistry
Senior year courses: AP Bio, AP Physics C, AP Calculus BC, Spanish 5 honors, Photography major, English 12 (our school only offers one level of english per year)</p>
<p>I’m a 3 sport varsity athlete. I have played 9 continuous seasons of sports so far since i started high school. (three years so far)
Volleyball: Most Improved Player junior year, captain for senior year
Basketball: Most Improved Player freshman year
Track: MVP junior year, broke school record
I was also selected to our school’s honorary athletic association and later elected president as a junior.</p>
<p>I was selected to be one of 26 upperclassmen for a freshman mentoring program as a sophomore and elected president junior year.</p>
<p>I’ve been on my yearbook’s staff for 3 years so far, gaining the position of an editor for my junior year and senior year.</p>
<p>I am also an active member of my school’s Black Student Union and am now the club’s Treasurer.</p>
<p>I don’t know whether to mention somewhere in my application that I did tae kwon do for nine years and received a black belt because I stopped winter of freshman year (it was too much to handle with sports practices and karate at the same time.)</p>
<p>I have also volunteered about 150 hours so far at both a Children’s nature camp and Georgetown University Hospital</p>
<p>I am interested in pursuing a career in medicine, possibly some type of surgeon. (I am interested in neuroscience) I would most likely be majoring in psychology - preferably the more scientific side of psychology.</p>
<p>Your chances are good. Send in the 2170 score. Your application will be among the other competitive ones. Being a URM and having stats like that makes it even better for you.
Good luck!!!</p>
<p>would it be better for me to apply ED?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yes, it’s always “better” to apply ED if Duke is your first choice. It certainly increases your chances. If Duke is your first choice and you don’t need to compare financial aid packages (or are confident in the one Duke will give you), then I’d definitely encourage applying ED. But obviously, if you’re unsure about your #1 choice, then give yourself more time and apply RD.</p>
<p>Hey if someone could chance me that would be great!</p>
<p>State: Indiana
School: Public
Race: Hispanic
GPA: ~3.9/~4.75 (weighted)
Rank: #1 (at the moment)
SAT - 800 M, 720 CR, 750 W (1520/2270)
SAT II 740 Chem, 770 Math II
PSAT 222 (or something close)
APs World History (5), Comp Sci AB (5),US History (5), Biology (5), Calc BC (5/5), US Gov&Pol (5), Microecononics (5!), English Lit (5)</p>
<p>Sophomore Year Schedule - GPA 4.0
AP World Hist A/A
AP Comp. Sci A - A+/A
Chem II College Credit Hon A/A
Pre-Calc Hon. A/A
English 10 Hon A/A
Wind Ensemble Hon. A+/A+
Spanish 4 Hon A/A</p>
<p>Junior Year Schedule GPA 4.0
Physics II Hon A/A
AP Calc BC A/A+
AP Econ. /AP Gov.A/A
AP Bio (dual period) A/A
AP English Lit. A/A
AP US History A+/A+</p>
<p>Senior Year Schedule
AP Stats
AP English Lang
AP Spanish
AP Physics C
Anatomy & Phys. Hon
Adv. Math Topics Hon.</p>
<p>Extracurricular Activities
- Quiz Bowl/Brain Game (local TV trivia show) Varsity Captain (11,12) + team qualified for Nationals blah blah
- Science Club 10-12 (President 11,12)
- Model UN 10-12
- Zionsville Academic Leagues (President 11,12)
- Young Democrats
- Spanish Club (9)
- Bridge Club (10,11)
- Philosophy and Theology Club (9,10)
- Library Teen Council (9, 10)
- Chess Club (9)
- Dolphin Research Group (12)</p>
<p>Music Involvement
- Clarinet player (8 years)
- Marching Band (Leader Group 11, Band Captain 12)
- Full Orchestra (10,11,12)
- ISSMA Solo & Ensemble Group I Gold (10) & Silver(9,11)</p>
<p>Community Service Activites
- Interact Club 10-12 (President 12)
- National Honor Society 11,12 (President 12)
- Spanish National Honors Society (12)
- Friends of the Courtyard
- Habitat for Humanity 11, 12
- A lot of tutoring</p>
<p>Honors & Awards I havent looked this up
- Should be a National Merit
- Should be a National AP Scholar
- Top student in a few classes Award
- High Honor Roll
- In AMC 12 top 10 scorers (I came so close
) - ACS First-Year Chemistry Qualifier Honorable Mention
- Molecular Medicine in Action Conference (local)
- Third place in IUPUI Computer Science Contest two years running (err)</p>
<p>I’d like to major in math or chem and go to med school. Any response is appreciated!</p>
<p>You have a good chance, your application will be with competitive ones.</p>