I'm having a hard time choosing...

bluedog
Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:19:07 +0000

A) If my test scores do balance each other out, will colleges notice this? Or will they just choose to stare at the ACT even if I turn in my SAT and subject tests? Also, Faline 2: You said I had lots of scores above 700…but I think you misinterpreted my post. Actually, I have a 680 CR, and a 650 Lit, even though my ACT reading is a 34. Why that happened is beyond me…



No, they’ll notice it and consider you best scores (at least Duke will). I also think you should send both the SAT and ACT scores. A 680 CR is not bad and your other scores more than make up for it. More information about an applicant typically makes him or her more competitive as it serves as reinforcement unless it is very negative information. A 680 CR and 650 Lit isn’t bad enough to ignore your great scores in other sections/tests.



B) Are my chances really even at both of them? It would be a lot easier to choose if they were significantly different at one or the other. Do I look competent? What other stuff do engineering people need? I don’t have any science awards, really…my main strengths academically are in Math and English/philosophy which is what is making this so hard.



Nobody can say for sure, but it is common belief that Pratt is more numbers based, while Trinity has more variables. Thus, if your test scores and grades (particularly in math and science) are very strong you have a better chance of getting into Pratt since they look at more objective measures, while if your test scores and grades are relatively weak but ECs make up for it you have a better chance at Trinity since they look at the applicant more holistically. With your scores/interests, I think the chances are fairly comparable. In the end, it’s not a big deal as you can take classes in either school very easily freshman year without a problem. At the end of your freshman year, you can transfer by checking a box. Keep in mind, though, that it’s easier to transfer Pratt -> Trinity than it is from Trinity -> Pratt. Trinity -> Pratt would be easy though assuming you just take the necessary classes freshman yr (math and EGR 53) and do decently in them. Duke is not like some colleges where it’s very difficult to transfer; it’s not. You are certainly competent and I wouldn’t worry about major science awards; most Pratt people don’t have them either.



[QUOTE]
C) Do I apply to Trinity for the Nicholas school? Will they look at my intended major, or not? [/QUOTE

Yes, you apply to Trinity for the Nicholas school. Duke doesn’t consider your intended major in making admissions decisions (tons of people put undecided anyways, which is perfectly fine). They consider it in the form of what your interests are, but they don’t have a quota per major and one major isn’t harder to get into than another. They just consider you for Pratt or Trinity. That is, you’re compared to other people applying to the same college, not the same major. Of course, they want a diverse student body so it’s something they consider among the applicant pool as a whole, but it won’t have much (if any) effect on their admissions decision for a particular individual.