My top two college choices as of now are Pitt and Penn State, but it has always sort of been my dream to attend Duke (I’m a huge Duke basketball fan and I’ve visited the campus twice). I also know that Duke would also be MUCH cheaper for me than Pitt or Penn State if I were to get in. The problem for me is that I would need to improve my SATs and my grades to get into Duke. On my SAT I scored a 2050, and my cumulative unweighted GPA after my junior year is a 3.8, but I have taken two AP classes and plan to take three more my senior year. I am not in the top 10% of my school for class rank, so I am not sure if I would have a chance at getting in even if I did improve my SAT score. So I can either:
Take a class over the summer to prepare to take the SAT again, and work extra hard during my senior year while still playing two sports. This could pay off, but I also still might not get into the school.
I can enjoy my summer and senior year knowing that I will be accepted at both of my current top choices.
Any feedback, advice, or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Choosing a university based on the performance of a sports team is inadvisable. Improve your SAT score and apply ED if you think you want to attend Duke for the academic opportunities that it provides. You are unlikely to be admitted but stranger things have happened.
I think you should try at least so 1. or else you’ll always have that what-if.
If you can get your SAT scores to 2200, then coupled with a 3.8 you would immediately be a competitive applicant for Duke, even more so if you apply ED.
I’d say you should study for the SAT and just try for Duke. Many people that don’t have the greatest stats still get in.
Duke really wants each candidate to be challenged by the most academically demanding courses offered in his secondary school. Does a total of five APs fit this definition?
Duke is a big reach for anyone. Re-take the SAT once, and try the ACT, but don’t pin your college hopes on a possible score increase. Even if you did break 2200 (I will spare you my usual recitation of the odds for a 100+ point increase), Duke would remain a huge reach. Build your college list based on who and what you are now. If your scores skyrocket, you can always add a reach or two, but they will still be reaches. You can begin submitting applications to your match and safe schools early in the fall, without new test results. They will still receive the fall test reports.