What Are My Chances For Duke?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

I’m a junior in high school and although I have almost a year (or less) to apply for the class of 2022, I was wondering if anyone could help me improve my resume (transcript??) I know it could use some MAJOR improvements, to say the least, but Duke is my dream school and although it is a high reach for me, I would be more devastated if I didn’t try to get in, than being rejected. Anyways here it goes…

Scores:
SAT: N/A (haven’t received yet)
SAT subject tests: N/A
AP test: AP Human Geo: 1 (i know) ; AP World History: 2 (i know)

Gpa: 3.77 weighted, 3.62 unweighted
No ranking

Freshman:
HONORS: English, Biology ; AP: Human Geo ; REGULAR: French, Algebra,

Sophomore:
HONORS: English, Chem, Geometry ; AP: World History ; Regular: French

Junior:
HONORS: French, Pre-Cal ; AP: US History, English, Physics

  • I am an active member of StuCo and Key Club and I'm running for office at the end of this year
  • I am a member of our school's Academic Decathlon
  • Historian of Speech/Debate - running for president this year :D
  • Vice-President of UIL Texas Academics
  • Regular Volunteer at local public library
  • A mentor for a freshman through our school's mentor ship program
  • Private tutor ( I'm actually well rounded in Math and Science)

Letter of Recommendations are no problem for me; All my teachers know me well and if it helps, I’m also applying for Questbridge’s College Prep Scholar’s award and the Duke Summer College Program.

Hooks: first generation, immigrant, (Muslim woman?)
Weakness: Asian/Middle Eastern (Indian/Yemeni) ; not a legacy

I hope to apply for Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Major: Political Science

If anyone could give advice on my chances and how I could improve I would be so grateful! Thanks so much and also Congrats to the Class of 2021 on your Acceptance!

2

Any…advice?

3

I think you might have a greater shot at getting in if you apply ED. Also, the higher you can get your GPA, the better. :-*

4

It’s hard to gauge your chances now without SAT scores. As far as advice, continue to work hard and improve your grades. Duke has made an effort with Questbridge students.

5

-Apply ED
-Study, study, study and get some majorly high test scores to make up for GPA
-make sure your course rigor is the hardest it could possibly be (does your school have APs?? More honors? IB?)
-develop a focus to your app and do activities (with leadership or unique attributes) that focus on this. For example, my focus was social justice and politics. I volunteered for campaigns, wrote my essay on it, led two social justice clubs (Pres of both, founder of one) and was pres of the school for stuco.
-take SAT subject tests or AP tests and earn high scores to make up for any possible area of weakness (got a B in math? Better earn a high ACT math or get a 5 on the exam).
-figure out why you actually want to go to duke. Is there a concrete reason that cannot be found at other schools? Or specific combination of reasons? Let this passion shine through.
-butter up some of your junior year teachers because you need killer recs

Good luck!

6

Thanks so much! I will definitely take all of y’all’s advice! :slight_smile:

7

bump?

8

Did you just not try on the AP exams? Those AP scores do not auger well for your success at Duke if admitted.