Chance & advise a junior?

Colleges & Universities Duke University
1

<p>It’s still pretty early, but nevertheless I’m seriously thinking about EDing to Duke next year. Any advice/chances would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>

<p>Prospective major: Economics (and maybe philosophy or math)</p>

<p>Stats:
– Female
– East Asian
– International
– American international school that sends many to top schools excluding HYPSM
– Current junior</p>

<p>Financial aid: None will be requested/needed</p>

<p>GPA: 3.86 weighted (3.97 w/o frosh year)
– Frosh: 3.6 (no APs allowed), Soph: 3.89 (no APs allowed), Junior: 4.05
– School has a weird deflating system in which 96 = 4, 95 = 3.6, 93 = 3.3, etc.
– No weight for honors classes, limited AP classes (2 per year, and only junior and senior year)
– To put into context, the highest GPA in my class is a 4.0 weighted.
– Class rank not reported. </p>

<p>SAT I: 2340 (750 CR, 790 M, 800 W)
– First try.
– Not sure if retaking, but probably not.</p>

<p>SAT II: 800 Math IIC, 790 World History, 780 Chemistry</p>

<p>AP: Macro Econ (5), Micro Econ (5), Bio, Chem, Calc BC, Comparative Gov
– Macro & Micro Econ were self-taken.
– Calc BC and Comp Gov are for senior year. </p>

<p>Toefl iBT: 118/120</p>

<p>In-school clubs/teams (school offers very few clubs/teams):
– Debate Team (10, 11, 12)
– Math Team (9, 10, 11, 12)</p>

<p>Work experience:
– Law Firm Select Intern (11 winter, 11 summer, 12 winter)
– National Finance Center Intern (11 summer)</p>

<p>Volunteer work:
– Youth Volunteer Orchestra (10, 11, 12)
– Geriatric Center Volunteer (11, 12)</p>

<p>Other:
– Flute (hobby) for past 7-ish years</p>

2

<p>Looks promising. Your gpa doesn’t do you any favors, but then your system is highly punitive. I’m sure that any school you apply to will know the school’s grading policy, so shouldn’t be an overwhelming concern.</p>

<p>Your scores are great.</p>

<p>Just keep doing your best, write great essays, get outstanding recommendations and I think you are good to go :-)</p>

3

<p>My GPA was similar to yours, and your test scores are higher, and I got in ED last month. Definitely apply ED if it’s your top choice.</p>

4

<p>Thank you. Ah I’m really worried about my ecs…I probably will do ED.</p>

5

<p>I was an ED applicant this year, and your application looks better than mine did in literally every aspect sans quantity of ECs (but that’s really not a problem since colleges value quality more). So if my application was accepted, then I think you would only need to worry about subjectives such as your letters of recommendation. More ECs couldn’t hurt, but it’s not worth compromising your academic performance for. Besides, I’ve heard that apparently “colleges can smell this sort of thing [EC cramming] a mile away”. It might be a bit too late to join a spate of ECs, but then again, what do I know?</p>

<p>btw, did you self-study world history just for the SAT II test? Jebus Christ.</p>