Ways to improve my chances to Duke

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>Hey,
Right now I am currently a Junior at a pretty well respected/rigorous Christian school in NY (and I commute 1.5 hrs a day there). I really want to attend Duke, but its obviously extremely difficult to be admitted. I've listed my stats and ECs below, is there anything I should do to better my chances? </p>

<p>Cum (W)GPA- 3.9, ACT 33</p>

<p>And we can't take APs until Junior year and more than 2 honors until Sophomore year.</p>

<p>Frosh Year (GPA 3.54- Yes I know this is very low)
French II- B-
Geometry Honors- B+
English- A-
Religion- A-
World History- A-
Music- B+
Health A
Biology- A-</p>

<p>Sophomore (GPA 4.02)
English II Honors- A-
US History Honors- A-
Alg II Honors- A-
French III- A-
Chem- A-
Health- A-
Art- A-
Religion- A</p>

<p>Junior Year (GPA 4.2-4.26ish)
English AP- B+/A-
Calc Honors- A
French IV- A-
Physics Honors- B+
US AP- A-/A
Religion- A
Music- A</p>

<p>Senior Year Courses:
AP EnviSci
AP Stat
AP Econ (Micro and Macro)
AP Euro History
Religion
English </p>

<p>ECs
Freshman Cross Country- Captain- Elected
Indoor and Outdoor Track- Freshman, Soph, Jr
-Note: I'm pretty good at track, and if I cut off a few more seconds on my mid/long distance events I might get a scholarship at some schools, so this could help
Student Council- Elected and Served-End of Freshman- End of Jr, Elections for next year coming up
Gaelic Games Club- Co-Founded sophomore year
Ping Pong Tournament for Charity- Founded, sophomore and junior years
NHS- Tutor 2 hours a week
Community Service- about 150 hours, have done a little more than school requirements, plan to do excess this summer to make around 200
Plan a trip to Ireland for an internship with the Government (Dual Citizen)</p>

<p>What can I do to better my chances for Duke? I plan to apply ED, so that should help.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>And one more quick thing- my school doesnt give out A+s, an A is the highest grade</p>

3

<p>Bump de bump</p>

4

<p>Get recruited for basketball LOL, your stats look pretty good maybe a visit + interview and contact building with staff and professors could help.</p>

5

<p>Thanks. What do you mean by contact building with staff? Like find a professor and talk with him while I’m on campus?</p>

6

<p>A visit will help you decide if Duke is right for you, but it will do nothing in terms of helping your application by showing your interest. Duke does not document, nor do they use, demonstrated interest in admissions decisions.</p>

7

<p>alright thanks.</p>

<p>If any one else would read my stats and clubs and tell me what you think I can improve on/if I have a shot ED, that would be great!</p>

8

<p>I think you could retake your standardized testing and get your scores up. It’s definitely not necessary though. Everything looks good though, keep your grades up. Also take advantage of this summer and do something great thats worth documenting in your essays. Applying ED to Duke is a great choice i think. Chances are significantly higher. good luck</p>