Duke admission (please help)

thebbcpresident · 02-22-2005, 09:44 PM

Hello,
I am in 10th grade and the only school that I want to go to is Duke. My freshman year was a little rocky but I picked it up in 10th. i wonder if they will let it slide a little bit. My average GPA as of now (first semester 10th) is a 3.1. I know that isn’t good at all. I also play basket ball and soccer and am on speech/debate. I want to know what i can do to get into Duke like extracurricular and voluntary work. I want to know what I have to bring my GPA and what my SAT scores have to be. Duke is liek my life as of now, i wish it was freshman year. PLEASE HELP (especially alumni or already accepted students).

thebbcpresident · 02-22-2005, 09:46 PM

Oh by the way I have an A in all my science classes. I most likely goign to major in Biology or something of that sort. Any suggestions of what i shoudl take. No APs so far.

ohnoes · 02-22-2005, 09:47 PM

Here's the best tip you'll ever get: don't *ever* become too obsessed with one college, lest Moore's law kick in. There are plenty of other fine schools out there.

zagat · 02-22-2005, 09:55 PM

Well Duke certainly values great basketball players. If you may be competitive in that respect, a 3.1 will be just fine!

thebbcpresident · 02-22-2005, 10:42 PM

well i am playing soccer as of now because they are in the same season i have to choose which to play. what do you think i should play? i am equally good at both and both starting varsity material.

zagat · 02-22-2005, 10:51 PM

For Duke it's no contest, basketball. But are you aware of what starting varsity means there? If you're much below 7 feet and not the number 1 player in your State, get some advice from people in the know.

thebbcpresident · 02-23-2005, 12:30 AM

yes i do not want to base my acceptance to Duke on basketball because i know i am not the greatest in the world. ALthought the basketball program is much harder than the soccer program so that may cut into my GPA. I know DUke basketball its INSANE the BEST in the NATION. i know will not be in the NBA i just want to go to Duke as undergrade in Bio, but i think basketball will give a little notice to Duke, but may cut into the GPA.

zagat · 02-23-2005, 12:42 AM

Don't cut into the GPA if you do not have a reasonable shot at playing for Duke. They will be well aware whether you are a recruit or not. It will not help you if you are not a recruit. If that turns out to be the case, focus on academics. Your SAT score should be at least high 1400s. GPA isn't as important as class rank. Top 5% of your class would be good. Lots of Aps and honors. You will also need some good ECs.

thebbcpresident · 02-23-2005, 01:46 AM

you know any good ecs that might help. i got speach and debate, sports, volunteering at the local hospital and at the local homeless shelter. please give me ideas in ecs. i really don't think at 3.1 is going to cut it ill work hard and prolly get a 3.55 at end of junior year. i will have apretty good essay because my cousin is a monster writter and works from mtv, so he can correct it. Zagat are you a duke alumni? i really appreciate you replying to me.

546mp · 02-23-2005, 08:02 PM

Find professors in your area who will let you work on a long term bio research project (if significant, will turn into a good hook) . . . also, do a duke summer program (is it called TIPS?) and be sure you like the place

ay_caramba · 02-23-2005, 08:33 PM

I'm not sure what Zagat is talking about, but Duke doesn't just take kids that play basketball to make its program strong. Duke has a strong program because it can recruit very good players; do you know how many players Duke ends up recruiting for basketball each year? Very few. It can be a good EC, especially if you are varsity, but they know that your chances of walking on to the team and being successful are very very small. They don't depend on their normal applicant pool to fill the starting lineup. So it could help, but no more than varsity soccer would help. Did you know that our men's soccer team went to the Final Four this year? So saying OH MY GOODNESS IT'S DUKE, PLAY BASKETBALL BECAUSE THAT'S ALL THEY CARE ABOUT is foolish. Do what you like.

Anyways, a 3.1 is not good enough, as you know. Last year the average high school GPA for an entering freshman was 3.93. Your ECs sound OK, but nothing that is going to compensate for the GPA. An upward trend is critical (like all As in the hardest classes by the end of junior year) and could save you.

Are you applying to Pratt? If so, 546mp's suggestion of doing research outside of school is a very good one. That will help you A LOT, start as soon as you can. Even if you're applying to Trinity it could be a good idea if you're interested.

I think ohnoes has the best point though; do NOT get obsessed with one college before you have the acceptance packet in your hand.

thebbcpresident · 02-23-2005, 09:37 PM

hey thanks guys. you think i should go to the local junior college for a professor to start with? maybe the hospital? i don't really know where to start looking but yea i will try that and bring my GPA up for sure.

thebbcpresident · 02-23-2005, 09:43 PM

I know i am probally goign to appy early decision. you think that will better my chances and they might let me slide a little bit?

ay_caramba · 02-23-2005, 11:09 PM

It could make your chances a bit better. But not enough to let you slide that much. In fact, schools that are as selective as Duke don't let things "slide." That's what many state/not as selective private schools may do; "oh well his gpa/sat/ECs are a bit low, but he seems like a good kid, we'll let him in and give him a chance." You have to be able to convince a school like Duke that you belong! Don't expect leniency just because you go early, but your chance will be a small amount better I believe.

But really, look at other schools. Have you visited other schools? Because mid-sophomore year is too early to decide on early decision somewhere. Financial need is also a factor; you wouldn't be able to compare offers from other schools should you be admitted.
Keep an open mind!

thebbcpresident · 02-23-2005, 11:34 PM

Yes i have cal tech is out of the picture because they count all 4 years. i was thinkign about UCSD or UCLA just because i have home feild advatage and dtart off with a 3.5 on their eyes. BOth are excellent in Bio, Stanford is a reach even though its 30 min away from where i live.