What are my chances??

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Colleges I’m applying to:
*Duke University (ED)
Chapman University (EA)
Marist College (EA)
University of Oregon (EA)
Seattle University (EA)
Boston College (RD)
University of Michigan (RD)
University of Virginia (RD)
Vanderbilt University (RD)
Tufts University (RD)
American University (RD)

ACT: 30 (31 superscore)
Highest scores: English - 35, Reading - 35, Math - 28, Science - 24, Writing - 8
SAT: N/A
GPA: 4.0 weighted, 3.7 unweighted
Rank: N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Art History, English, AP Photography, Government/Economics, AP Statistics, Biotechnology

Extracurriculars/Volunteering/Work:
Assistant at therapeutic horseback riding center for disabled children
Camp counselor during summer/helped care for horses on weekends during school year (same facility)
Student ambassador in Costa Rica for summer service trip through GLA
High school facilitator for middle school leadership program
Work at local party supply store
Tutor
Held clothing drive for abused children (clothing is confiscated as evidence when leaving hospital, this provided clothing)
Held drive for northern California fire victims
Co-president of volunteering club at school (I know its super basic)

Common App Essay: Wrote about panic attacks and anxiety experienced a few years ago and how that “shaped me” (yes, I know it sounds cliche but I did my best to avoid that), I think 8/10
Supplemental Essays: I think they’re pretty darn good… I was able to weave my disabled brother into the essays about equality and marginalization (of which there were many) and I think they should be an 8 or 9/10

Letters of Recommendation
Teacher Letter of Rec 1: AP Psychology teacher from junior year- should be very good. I was a super active participant in class and stayed after class to further discuss ideas so I think I made a good impression, hopefully 9/10
Teacher Letter of Rec 2: Junior year Math Analysis teacher- I participated in class, should be fine. He writes a lot of essays but it should be decent. 7.5/10
Counselor Letter of Rec: I think it’ll be fine. She’s a mess and never has her crap together so I had to bug her to do things a lot, hopefully she forgot about that when she wrote my letter. I filled out a detailed questionnaire as well. 7/10
Additional Letter of Rec: College counselor (outside of school), who I’ve known for years, wrote a letter that should be very personal. 9/10

Intended Major: Double major in psychology and public policy (aiming to go into marketing/business)
School Type: extremely competitive public school (top 25 in California)
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: Above $200k

*Both of my parents went to Duke (my mom for business school as well, and she does alumni interviews for Duke) and my grandpa is an emeritus professor there (taught at Duke for over 40 years and is also an Iron Donor) and all three of them wrote letters to admissions and submitted through Common App as well. I also have already had my Duke interview, which went extremely well. I know its a long shot because I am clearly below Duke’s standards, but I’m just crossing my fingers at this point… I’ve wanted to go there for as long as I can remember and I made sure that came across both in my interview and in my supplemental essay.

Thanks to anyone who responds!!

2

I think your chances are good for Duke, especially if you’re applying ED. I’m also applying ED and I have similar scores (31 ACT and 1460 SAT). People might tell you that your scores are too low, but don’t listen to them. Honestly, I think if you are above a 30 on the ACT you have as good a chance as anyone else.

3

@john987654321 I’m not sure if my chances with a 30 are equal to the chances of someone with a 36, but I just hope my legacy has some pull.

4

I’m also from California, and I am a current student here at Marist College! Your scores are great, however we are a test optional school so you don’t have to submit your test scores if you feel they don’t represent you as a student. Our admissions office really values a diverse amount of extra-curricular activities as well as your in-school accomplishments. Personally, I think we really value a student that does volunteer work, and it looks like you really value giving back as well! I’m studying business and I can attest to how easy it is to double major here, or at least pick up different minors. We are also a smaller school, and many of the schools on your list are large! It really depends on the experience you want, but Marist can definitely provide a lot of the things a large school can, with more intimate classroom settings and a chance for relationships with professors, administration, and students. There are a multitude of diverse people on this campus from all over the country and the world, and I think you will fit in very well. If you get a chance come visit us, and feel free to ask us any other questions that you may have! http://www.marist.edu/admission/visiting.html

5

@hayrae44 Yes, I have already applied to Marist and it is a great school and I visited over the summer.

6

Duke remains my top choice, hence why I applied ED. December 15th can’t come soon enough…