Chances

Colleges & Universities Duke University
1

<p>ACT Composite: 34 (Not sure of superscore)
GPA: 3.62 (More on this later)
AP’s: Euro History, Biology, Psychology, English Lang./Comp., US History
Rank: Top 4%
Senior Year Courses: Calc BC, AP Physics B, AP Econ, Microbiology, Broadcasting, Fitness and Performance, AP Literature</p>

<p>AP Scholar, Honor Roll, State Achievement Exam Accolades, Top Documentary for School Radio Program of 50 years, Finalist for American Cancer Society Research Grant/Intership</p>

<p>EC’s:
National Honor Society
Key Club
DECA (Business Club): First Place Sectional Competition, State Competitor
Friends of Rachel
School Radio Station News Director/ Administrative Manager (Heavy involvement; big EC for me)
Kiva: microfinance for small businesses in the Third World
Community service :150+ hours at Cancer Support Center, St. Baldricks (Cancer)
Scholastic Bowl
Cross Country(JV, Varsity)- 3 Years
Lacrosse(Varsity Captain)- 3 Years
Oraganized Japan Tsunami Relief Fundraiser/ Cultural Awareness Event
State Psychology Bowl- 2nd Place
Tutoring Hours: 200+ at School</p>

<p>I’m Caucasian, come from a large (750 in my class) public highschool in the Southside Chicago that is mostly African American. We’re a working class family (80,000/year).</p>

<p>The reason that my GPA is so low is that I have had recurring medical issues (Kidney stones, Cancer) that have kept me in and out of school for most of my highschool career. Also, my father suffered a serious car accident in my Freshman year that detrimented us financially when he could not work (in coma, then unable to work due to traumatic brain injury) and mentally when his injury affected his personality (normal vasillating to psychotically enraged)- something that we’ve struggled to cope with.</p>

<p>So, I don’t want this to be a sob-story, I just want this inordinately selective school to look at what I have been through and then weight it hopefully as good life experience; a pipe-dream I know.</p>

2

<p>I think you have a really good chance. Your story is very admirable as well–sounds like you’ve gone through a lot! Is Duke your first choice? I think that applying ED would definitely help in that case.</p>

3

<p>I always liked school, but I never got off my ass to actualize my potential. Duke is more of a upper target school, but Harvard would be my only other choice (maybe Georgetown)</p>

4

<p>I believe that you have a really, really good chance.</p>

5

<p>So, applying in the fall. Any more words of encouragement or advice?</p>

6

<p>I took SAT II’s: 720 Bio 710 Lit and 630 Math II. Should I bother reporting math?</p>

7

<p>send the two 700+s, and if you want to send Math II, the pool of students who take that are really the best of the best (and a lot who want to be engineers). I don’t think it will really hurt you, but it probably won’t help you too much</p>

8

<p>I think you have a good chance if your essays are good and well-received. Never understate your circumstances so that people have to make up the details… or make the adcoms have to “guess” as to the travails you experienced. Don’t make them work that hard.<br>
Instead be cogent and clear about each of these health and employment crises, and try to put them in a timeline as well in your essays so that tired readers can comprehend things. I think Veracity is the greatest of virtues you aim for in your essays…people sense the truth when they read it. I am impressed that you were playing lacrosse while making these grades.<br>
With an ACT of 34 you are competitive for Duke but so are thousands of students who will be waitlisted or not admitted. I think you should be making a serious attempt at reach colleges with No Loans in their financial aid.<br>
You need to decide on a very smart list of colleges. Make sure to have a financial match college and to know your estimated cost of attendance via FAFSA and CSS Profile. You may need help getting all those figures together for the financial aid forms if your father’s abilities are still compromised. Do not fail to get this serious paperwork done with your parents…get it in. </p>

<p>Apply to your Illinois merit programs for starters and then move out geographically.<br>
What do you need to learn? Do you want a big sports scene like Duke’s? Do you want intimate classrooms? Do you want to consider a superb liberal arts college with a sporty vibe like Williams? Build your list based on colleges who have No Loan policies.<br>
You should be applying to merit programs at colleges that you would accept and attend if offered a merit package as well. </p>

<p>In the south, I like Davidson (very sports oriented but superb instruction and great grad school options). You missed the Belk deadline but they have other merit scholars and there are many scholar athletes. There you would also be wanted as a Yankee in a small southern town.</p>

<p>You should nominate yourself for a Chancellor’s Scholarship at Vanderbilt and also apply for the Cornelius Vanderbilt merit scholarships. My son is a merit scholar there and he has a Duke 09 brother. </p>

<p>There are merit scholarships at Duke as well. I hope you are applying to at least four reach colleges and to at least two match colleges. Don’t skimp on the essay writing. That is the only way you can compensate for not having perfect grades. Prove your potential and readiness to focus with great essays. </p>

<p>Also the last advice note: Try to understand each of your colleges and their unique cultures and anticipate where you would fit into the scheme of things on campus. Project yourself into the right clubs, sports rec groups etc. Duke doesn’t admit future basketball spectator enthusiasts but they have “slots” for many many roles on campus they want filled each year. </p>

<p>also…retake the SATII and prepare with the prep book. You can do it in December if you are not ED. My Vandy son actually retook the SATII level two Math exam in January because he was below 700 in October senior year and he was exhausted for various reasons. He nailed it in January when he had a fresh mind, and who knows if that mattered. The curve on the SATII level two is generous…you need to prepare better. And you can do it. If you don’t want to do this or can’t do it…don’t report it at all.</p>

<p>best of luck. Dig Deep. The next 8 weeks are crucial.</p>