<p>GPA:
W: 3.7 out of 4.3 - I slacked off Freshman year. Highest GPA at my school would probably be a 4.2, and only about 15/80 people have 4.0 or higher.
School does not rank</p>
<p>PSAT:
CR: 80
Math: 65
Writing: 73
218 total. I am 99% sure of National Merit Finalist.</p>
<p>Taking ACT Saturday, I expect a 34</p>
<p>EC:
-I've done (and won) Nanowrimo** for the past two years, and will do the same next year
-I'm going to have over 200 service hours, most at a dog shelter.
-On Service Learning Committee and Student Admissions Team at school.
-Member of various clubs, no leadership.
-Rec. Soccer all four years
-Tumbling (gymnastics) this year</p>
<p>Recognition:
-I've won a grant to travel to a panda research facility (by myself) in China for two weeks this summer.
-AP Bio Book Award
-National Honor Society</p>
<p>My recommendations and essays will be very good.
**Nanowrimo is short for National Novel Writing Month. Basically, people write a novella (50,000 words) in the month of November annually.</p>
<p>Work experience:
I'm working as a counselor at a camp this summer</p>
<p>AP:
Sophomore:
AP Bio: 5
Junior: (Guesses on Grades)
AP Human Geography: Prob 4 or 5
AP US History: 5
AP English Lit: 98% chance of a 5
Senior:
AP Studio Art
AP Statistics
AP Comparative Government
AP Euro
AP US Government
AP English Language</p>
<p>For my state, I have an excellent chance at AP State Scholar (don't know if colleges will know that or not).</p>
<p>Oh and please be honest, I know it probably won't be that great.
Oh, and if you don't think I'll get into Duke, what about Wake Forest and Rice?</p>
<p>Don’t worry. You will definitely get accepted into Duke. Duke is where i want to go as well. Although college is a long way from where I am now(I am only a freshman). Good Luck:)</p>
<p>Duke is a weird school in that acceptances are usually unpredictable. I love duke as well as I have spent my entire life a blue devil fan (double legacy :)) Here is what I would say to you, if you are set on duke and financial aid is not an issue apply ED (super super boost at duke!!!). I know kids who apply ED with all Bs and Cs, mediocre ECs, some sports, but no need for need-based aid and a binding commitment if accepted (they were all accepted) and Duke WILL take this opportunity to accept the kid and take the guaranteed full tuition! Hope it all works out for you! Gratz to coach K and the team on their fourth national championship. My championship junk is in the mail and will be arriving shortly!!!Go Devils!</p>
<p>I agree, Duke has been unpredictable with admissions in the past, but they are a selective school. Duke was my dream school. My dad went there, I loved everything about it, etc. I had what I thought to be decent stats (4.7 GPA, 2190 SAT, good ECs, great essays, solid recs, etc.). I was deferred then ultimately rejected (after sending in plenty more supplemental material). I am Caucasian. Your stats look good. I would focus on getting that good ACT score as you expect and trying to add as much to your resume as possible. Good essays are essential. The truth is, Lindsay, we can’t tell you from here one way or the other. That’s why I’ve never quite understood the concept of chancing somebody. I just don’t want to create a sense of false hope or a lack of hope for anyone. Do your best, and there’s nothing to regret.</p>
<p>Oh boy…these kinds of responses are what makes April 1 such a rough day for so many CCers. </p>
<p>Duke is fickle in admissions, but other posters are right–ED is the way to go if you’re 100% sure you want to attend if accepted. RD is a different beast. </p>
<p>These are my recommendations (not necessary, of course, but will certainly help your case):
-SAT 2300+ if you plan to take, SAT IIs 750+
-ACT 35+
-4s and 5s on AP tests
</p>
<p>This is cool. Milk this for all it’s worth.</p>
<p>-EC-wise: the writing competition and that summer grant are your most compelling activities. Feel free to drop any club you’re only a member in unless you’ve made significant accomplishments.
</p>
<p>So many CCers just assume this. It’s not automatically true. Do you have teachers who absolutely adore and respect you? You need to find teachers who will both advocate for you and paint a vivid picture of your accomplishments and personality for the college to sink their teeth into. You need to give adcoms a reason to vouch for you around that oak table, and teacher recs give great insight into the parts of your personality that your list of ECs and GPA might not.</p>
<p>Thanks, your response was exactly what I was looking for, very helpful and it gave me some hope I still have a chance.</p>
<p>I do have one teacher that adores me and has already written a fabulous recommendation for the grant (the person that made grant decisions actually quoted her rec) and I think I have a realistic chance of getting that ACT score</p>
<p>You stated that there are at least 15/80 people that have a 4.0 or higher. That puts you at BEST in the top 19%. Then, I assume there are many people between a 3.7 and a 4.0.</p>
<p>Your GPA shows an awful work ethic.</p>
<p>However, you do show some passion with Biology, that’s a plus. Your best bet to get in, if you REALLY want to, would be to show complete passion towards Biology. Do more with it than you already are… because your GPA will not let you in as it stands.</p>
<p>Ok well I’ll elaborate on the GPA:
3.4 Freshman
3.7 Sophomore
4.0 Junior
If that makes any difference to you
And, for Sophomore and Junior year I had one of three hardest schedules in the grade, definitely in Senior year, which is why my Sophomore GPA was not higher. I don’t know if they can tell that, but starting Sophomore year, I’ve taken every AP and honors available except AP Physics.</p>
<p>But your realism is helpful, so thanks for responding.</p>