CHANCE ME - Early/Reg Decision for Duke

<p>I’m applying to the Trinity School of Arts and Sciences with a biology major for premed.</p>

<ul>
<li>Rank: 6/418</li>
<li>Unweighted GPA: 4.00</li>
<li><p>Weighted GPA: 6.04</p></li>
<li><p>Scores:
⦁ SAT:</p></li>
<li><p>Math 750</p></li>
<li><p>Reading 650</p></li>
<li><p>Writing 770 (Essay 10)
^ This is my superscore from taking the SAT three times. I also just recently took the SAT subject tests for Chemistry, Math I and Math II and am waiting to receive my scores.
⦁ ACT:</p></li>
<li><p>Math 32</p></li>
<li><p>Reading 27</p></li>
<li><p>English 34 (Combined with Writing 33 - Essay 10)</p></li>
<li><p>Science 32
^ I also just retook the ACT and am waiting to receive my scores.
⦁ AP:</p></li>
<li><p>Human Geography 3</p></li>
<li><p>World History 3</p></li>
<li><p>Statistics 4</p></li>
<li><p>Psychology 5</p></li>
<li><p>Chemistry 2 :(</p></li>
<li><p>Calculus AB 5</p></li>
<li><p>Language Composition 4
^ I’m currently enrolled in Calculus BC, English Literature, Environmental Science, Macroeconomics and American Government. I’m also dual enrolled in an American History class at a local state college.</p></li>
<li><p>School-based Clubs:
⦁ Key Club: </p></li>
<li><p>Member for two years </p></li>
<li><p>Participant in Big Heart Brigade, UNICEF, Yuda Bands, Shopping with Santa, and Food for Families each year
⦁ Peer Mentoring: </p></li>
<li><p>Member for one year </p></li>
<li><p>Currently enrolled in a class at my high school during which I mentor students who are looking for personal guidance from their peers</p></li>
<li><p>Participating in Anti-Bullying Week, Walk the Line, and in-school club fundraisers; spoke at Anti-Bullying seminar, helped run booth for Anti-Bullying Week and composed a bullying awareness presentation
⦁ Class of 2014: </p></li>
<li><p>Member for three years </p></li>
<li><p>Volunteer for float building, Relay for Life, the Homecoming Parade, and the organization of school dances each year
⦁ National Honor Society: </p></li>
<li><p>Member for three years </p></li>
<li><p>Met requirements of maintaining a 3.5 GPA or higher and partaking in biannual service projects</p></li>
<li><p>Participated in school-based tutoring, Relay for Life, and fundraising for Project Graduation</p></li>
<li><p>Participating in Feeding Children Everywhere and 5K fundraiser
⦁ Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society): </p></li>
<li><p>Member for two years; joined opening year</p></li>
<li><p>Participating in Log1 Contest, High School Math Olympics, and Moody’s Mega Math Challenge
⦁ Photography Club:</p></li>
<li><p>Secretary/member for one year; joined opening year</p></li>
<li><p>Participate in activities during school (e.g. taking pictures of students for yearbook) and local photography competitions</p></li>
<li><p>Community Service:
⦁ Walk to Cure Diabetes:</p></li>
<li><p>Participant for two years</p></li>
<li><p>Worked with Macey’s Believers to raise funds and awareness; ran the booth for shirt sales and face painting
⦁ House of Hope:</p></li>
<li><p>Volunteered for one year</p></li>
<li><p>Religion-based non-profit organization to raise money for charities
⦁ Beach Cleanups:</p></li>
<li><p>Volunteered in organized cleanups with different groups on multiple occasions
⦁ River Rally:</p></li>
<li><p>Participated in an organized rally to protest the pollution of the St. Lucie River</p></li>
<li><p>Thousands gathered to spell SAVE OUR RIVER at Stuart Beach
⦁ Creative Arts and Health Promotion:</p></li>
<li><p>Volunteered for two consecutive years</p></li>
<li><p>Assembly held by the Martin County Health Department to promote healthy habits among children</p></li>
<li><p>Participated in puppet show
⦁ Big Heart Brigade:</p></li>
<li><p>Volunteered with Key Club for two years</p></li>
<li><p>Packaged and distributed Thanksgiving meals to low-income families
⦁ Relay for Life:</p></li>
<li><p>Volunteered for four years, three with Class of 2014</p></li>
<li><p>Nationally organized by the American Cancer Society to raise money and awareness for people afflicted with or affected by cancer</p></li>
<li><p>Worked the Class of 2014 booth to raise funds</p></li>
</ul>

<p>I also worked a part-time job during the summers of 2011 and 2012.</p>

<ul>
<li>Honors/Awards
⦁ Junior Marshall:</li>
<li>Given the honor of escorting the senior class students at the 2013 graduation</li>
<li>Received for being one of the top 2 highest ranked females in the junior class (graduating class of 2014)</li>
<li>Awarded by Jensen Beach High School faculty
⦁ AP Scholar with Distinction</li>
<li>Awarded by the national Advanced Placement program</li>
<li>Received for two consecutive years for earning an average score of 3.5 or higher on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams</li>
<li>Participated in AP level courses all for four years
⦁ Principal’s Honor Roll:</li>
<li>Highest Level of Honor Roll</li>
<li>Awarded by the Martin County School System/Jensen Beach High School for earning a 4.0 unweighted GPA</li>
<li>Received throughout grade school to date (lifetime straight A achievement)</li>
</ul>

<p>I’m concerned about my lack of sports and leadership roles in ECs. I’m hoping my grades and test scores will help them overlook that…I’m very passionate about Duke, and I’d like to see my chances with all things considered, for both early and regular decision (I’m pretty sure I’m applying ED). Thank you so much to anyone who takes time out to help me with this! ^.^</p>

<p>FSU1987 wrote:</p>

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<p>This is a classic example of why lists of ECs are so meaningless. I assume OP has a sense of pride and accomplishment in this entry on the list or it would not have been included. However, it sounds like he is taking credit for attending high school for three years.</p>

<p>It is good that OP has attempted to identify some specfic activities associated with “Class of 2014”, although lumping it all in as “volunteer” might mean nothing but showing up. </p>

<p>What are OP’s chances? I would guess somewhat less than 9-11%, which is Duke’s admit rate. My advice would be to focus on your achievements and the impact you have had in your community - avoid lists. The two dominant verbs on your EC are “participated” and “volunteered”, which does not indicate strong involvement.</p>