What are my chances for early decision as a rising senior?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>I just recently visited Duke and fell in love with the school. I know that my extra-curriculars may be a bit weak, as well as my SAT scores, but I would be grateful to be accepted there as a student. I'd also be applying undecided to Trinity, but leaning towards biology. I am a rising senior.</p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<p>SAT I: 2250 (700 CR, 800 M, 750 W w/ 8 on essay)</p>

<p>SAT II: Math I- 750
Math II- 780
Chemistry- 790
World History- 800</p>

<p>AP: World History- 5
US History- proj. 5
Calculus AB- proj. 3 (my school does not offer AP Calc, so self-studied)
*plan to take both English exams, GOPO, Biology (self-studied after taking honors course), Human Geography (completely self-studied)
My school only offers APs in World History, US History, GOPO, and English</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: Volunteering (Youth Court, hospital, ambulance, e-scrap drives)- 500+ hours
Medical Shadowing (for family doctor, surgeon, and cardiologist)
Captain of Academic Challenge (3 years- won regional and statewide competitions + qualified for national competition)
Science Club (2 years)
ECOS Club (2 years)
1st Chair Area All-State Band - Alto Sax (2 years)
Section Leader (Jazz Band + State-ranked Wind Ensemble) (4 years)
Co-founder of Sax Quartet (2 years) (won school talent show + performs regularly)
William Varick Nevins III Math Competition (Competition run by Alfred University featuring 500+ students)- 1st place sophomore year, 3rd place junior year
National Honor Society (2 years)
National Merit Commended Scholar (probably not qualified for semifinalist w/ a 214 because of a 63 in writing :( )
Piano (Since 3rd grade)
Saxophone (Since 5th grade)
American Music Abroad (Northeast Select Band that traveled to Austria and Germany)
2x All-Star competitor at TC3 High School Challenge (Quiz League Tournament which featured over 30 teams from throughout New York State)</p>

<p>Others:
New York State Resident
Indian Male (Income: 250,000+)
Top 5% of class of ~350 students (decent public school with no class rankings)
Many relatives have been students at Duke, but no immediate ones
Take the most rigorous courses my school offers.</p>

2

<p>very good shot</p>

3

<p>tough to say without an unweighted / weighted gpa</p>

4

<p>Oh I’m sorry I forgot that.
My unweighted is definitely a 4.0, and while I do not know my weighted, I have taken all the most rigorous courses my school offers, so I expect it to be good as well.</p>

5

<p>bump…</p>

6

<p>You have a good shot, in my opinion. Good luck!</p>

7

<p>Thanks a lot!</p>

8

<p>bump…</p>

9

<p>Excellent chance! :)</p>

10

<p>Nvm man but you’ll get in</p>

11

<p>You have a good chance. Why worried about the test score? SAT 2250 is a solid score.</p>

12

<p>Thank you all for your responses!</p>

13

<p>your chances are much higher as an ED applicant than in the large RD pile of equals…focus on your essays and good luck</p>

14

<p>You know what bothers me? It’s that you say that your SATs are weak with a 2250. If you don’t get into Duke, it’s not because of your SATs. Duke tries to attract really bright students who have impacted their communities in some beneficial way. If you stand out to the admissions committee, your SATs are not going to be a negative at all. </p>

<p>I think you have a good shot. You have a great record.</p>

15

<p>I hope you guys are all right haha. I am SO nervous!</p>

16

<p>Will not having an interview hurt my chances? I know it says it won’t affect them in an way, but I still feel like this will kill my chances. I haven’t received a call or an email yet, and the last day for calls is in two days.</p>

17

<p>sorry this is late man. I think you definitely have a great shot, especially applying ED. Your grades and numbers and activities all look solid and if you write a great essay you have I would say a 75% chance of getting in. I think Duke and Penn both really really like ED, but I’m not really sure, some people just say it’s because ED applicants are more qualified on the whole in the first place, but it definitely helps to an extent. Yes I would try to interview if possible since you’re ED but if you can’t it won’t kill you, it’s just supposed to either help a little or hurt a little, but never anything big</p>