First of all, I apologize for my repetitive posting. I plan on applying for Rochester University (Early Admission), due to the high acceptance rate and the quality of school.
Originally, Duke University was my dream school. I’m not sure if applying early there is a gamble. Help?
GED Scores:
Science 174:
Social Studies: 174
Math: 165
English: 165
Volunteer at Pediatric hospital with proximately 200 hours where I interact directly with patients and their families
Volunteer for Red Cross: Presenter (I educuate primary school children on possible natural disasters mostly in an attempt to prepare the local community.), recruiter, assisting in local/nation disasters
Working as a Certified Medical Assistant at a clinic with approximately 2000 hours of clinical experience
SAT Score: 2300
Planning on doing well on Biology and Molecular Biology SAT subject tests
High School UW GPA: 3.625
High School W GPA: 3.875
Intended Major: Neuroscience
Pre-Med
Why: I grew up with my mother who suffered with mental disorders. I do not want others to suffer how my mother and I did. My dream is to relieve human suffering for the young and old, the over-represented and under-represented, for any creed, any past, anyone or anything possible of feeling pain. I may not be able to help everyone, for our lives are short, but I will devote my life to helping those who suffered what I did, mental illness.
I would say that you have pretty good chances of getting into Rochester, due to your focused ECs and strong level of passion for helping the elderly + SAT. I am also applying for neuroscience (kind of in the same mentality as you), and I believe that you are capable of great things.
To improve, I would suggest you take some CL courses to augment your GPA, because that seems to be the biggest gap. Since your GPA is on the way lower side for very selective schools, Duke is a mid-high reach and most certainly a gamble.
Chance me back?
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1863516-chance-me-cornell-ed-and-others.html#latest
I’m confused, please answer a few questions before I can give an accurate chance:
Are you applying to Duke or Rochester ED?
Why did you take the GED, did you drop out of high school? If so why? How many years did you complete?
Where do you live?
What is your approximate class rank (during high school years)?
What is your real SAT score? In several posts over the past few days your SAT score was listed as “95th percentile” (2050 total), but now your score above is listed as 2300. Which is the real score?
Are you suffering from mental illness, or your mom?
Are you financially independent? Can you depend on your parents to pay for school? If you haven’t reached the age of 24 you will not be considered independent for financial aid purposes.
I’m was wondering whether I should apply for Duke OR Rochester ED, depending on my chance.
I dropped out of high school to due mentall illness.
I live in Florida
I don’t know my class rank.
My score is 2300.
We both are.
No, I am not.
Hi there - Based on your scores and the compelling story, I think you stand a decent chance at either school. However the mental illness aspect needs to be handled delicately with admissions. You need to explain why you left high school (sounds like you have a good reason). However you need to be convincing to the admissions committee that your mental illness is now under control.
The last thing they want to do is admit someone who is unstable and could have problems handling the work, or worse completing the degree program. So be sure to pick some recommenders who can speak a little bit about this.
You should also consider the Robertsons Scholars. There is a separate application program, and it covers full tuition at Duke or UNC.
There are many schools that have special programs dedicated to non-traditional students like yourself. Take a look at Penn’s Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS), Columbia University’s School of General Studies (GS) and Harvard Extension. Good luck
Apply to Duke if that is your dream! It is definitely a gamble, but you’ll never know if you don’t try. I think your story is absolutely fascinating and would make for a very interesting essay. Good luck!