Another chances thread!

Colleges & Universities Duke University
1

<p>Senior at large, pretty uncompetitive PA school
White male
Hoping to major in bio (perhaps a bio/marketing double major)
GPA: 3.9ish/4.0 UW, and about 106/100 W
Rank: 2/500ish, last I knew
Courseload: most difficult available, taken every AP of the 7 my school offers and all other classes are honors throughout all 4 years</p>

<p>SAT I: 760CR 660M 730W 2150 total (retaking in Oct. and I assure you I can get a 2200 superscore)
SAT II: 740 US History, 690 Math I
APs: 5 US History, 4 Bio, 3 Chem (taking 4, possibly 5 more tests at the end of this year)</p>

<p>ECs:
–United States Senate page for Sen. Arlen Specter…I’m most proud of this, seeing as I applied and got accepted on my own merits. No Washington connections here.
–internship at the World Aerobic/Hip Hop Championships in Los Angeles for two/three weeks two summers straight. (Hip Hop Championships featured on upcoming NBC reality series World Moves)
–greatly involved in my church for as long as I can remember–literally 1000s of volunteer hours in all sorts of activities and I can get a great rec from my priest
–National Merit Commended Scholar
–National Honors Society
–Spanish club (9,10,11,12)
–school golf team (10,11); nothing special here, just something I enjoy
–school bowling team (9,10,12); won most improved in the scholastic league in 10th
–won photography contest in our decently large local newspaper (100,000+ circulation)</p>

<p>Work experience:
–job as dietary aide at local hospital from Oct 2006-August 2007, about 15 hrs/wk
–job as dietary aide at nursing home from August 2007-present, about 10 hrs/wk</p>

<p>Also want to say that my app will hopefully show a passion for Duke. I’ve just visited there for a weekend and REALLY enjoyed it. I’ve gotten positive feedback from everyone who’s read my essay and just sincerely hope it all comes together! I may also be getting a rec from a family friend, Duke grad, and former Olympian, if that helps to up me by any iota.</p>

2

<p>applying ED?</p>

3

<p>Most likely not, in order to get looks at the finaid options around.</p>

4

<p>Go ahead and apply; you never know. But, it could be tough sledding. A couple of stats for the '07 freshman class:</p>

<ul>
<li>42% of applicants with 1550 (M/V) or higher were denied admission.</li>
<li>Of the 1500 Valedictorians who applied, 800 were denied. I 've seen but can’t recall the stat for Salutatorians, but I do know it’s a smaller acceptance rate.</li>
<li>25% of the entering class had a 1560 (M/V) or higher.</li>
<li>This was Duke’s most diverse class. Almost half the class is not caucasian.</li>
<li>19,000 students applied for 1700 spots. However, 500 spots were filled ED, so that means 18,500 regular and deferred applicants competed for 1200 spots.</li>
</ul>

5

<p>Check the Duke website. The school recently posted the 2011 class profile.<br>
Definitely an advantage to apply ED; however, that is not an option if financial aid is an issue.</p>

<p>Give it a try – good luck!!!</p>

6

<p>Give it a shot. However selective Duke has become, it still admits 1/5 of its applicants. I’d say your application could go either way- I suspect it will come down to your essays.</p>

<p>Be specific in your “Why Duke?” essay. Since you want to major in biology, include things that intrigue you about the biology program at Duke- the Lemur Center, Marine Lab, Duke Forest, Medical Center, etc. Show that you know a lot about the school and would be a good addition to the Duke community.</p>

<p>Duke doesn’t have a marketing major (only a certificate), so don’t put that down. :p</p>