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Successful application to
Duke University

A.M.

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Planned Major

Engineering

Admission

Early Decision

Application Year

2020

5 Honors & Awards

10 Extracurriculars

Academics

  • SAT:

    • Reading & Writing (720)
    • Math (790)
    • Essay (19)
  • SAT Subject Tests:

    • Math Level 2 (800)
    • Physics (790)

Honors & Awards

  • National Finalist, International Mathematical Modeling Challenge

    National
  • High Distinction '16-17 National Maths Competiton; Distinction '18

    National
  • Regional Honour Roll Accelerated Mathematics Distinguished Achiever

    State/Regional

Extracurriculars

  • State Finalist, Robotics Competition

    Robotics
    3 hr/wk

    Used PixyCam & Lego Mindstorms to create interactive Briscola card playing robot; placed 2nd in state competition; video featured on PixyCam website

  • Classically Trained Cellist

    Music: Instrumental
    6 hr/wk

    Auditioned & selected for Youth Orchestra Philharmonic; lead cellist semi-pro orchestra; Regional School Spectacular Orchestra

  • Math Competitions

    Science/Math
    2 hr/wk

    '19 International Mathematical Modeling Challenge National Finalist; '16 '17 High Distinction National Maths Competition; '18 Distinction Award

Essay

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Sam Gosling said in Snoop that your room is a reflection of the inside of your mind. Every chaotic piece of paper cluttering your living space represents an idea created inside that lump of grey matter. However, sometimes each of those neurons pile up and need to be organised. And so, as I walked past my Yamaha upright with sporadic piles of music and the dusty mounds of 1900s CDs, I realised: "I really need a shelf."

Just like any other creative with a penchant for mispronouncing Swedish, I went to IKEA and found a beautiful, white, open-backed cabinet that resonated with my desire for sophisticated simplicity.

The trouble started when the box arrived home. Late at ni...

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Our network of over 200 leading admission experts work tirelessly to support students getting into their dream schools.

Leadership
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    Carolina L.

    Duke University

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    Isabella B.

    Durham University

Want to go to Duke?

Talk with one of our academic experts today and see how Crimson can help you!

Crimson strategists

Academics

  • SAT:

    • Reading & Writing (720)
    • Math (790)
    • Essay (19)
  • SAT Subject Tests:

    • Math Level 2 (800)
    • Physics (790)

Honors & Awards

  • National Finalist, International Mathematical Modeling Challenge

    National
  • High Distinction '16-17 National Maths Competiton; Distinction '18

    National
  • Regional Honour Roll Accelerated Mathematics Distinguished Achiever

    State/Regional

Meet Some of Our Expert Crimson Strategists

Our network of over 200 leading admission experts work tirelessly to support students getting into their dream schools.

Leadership
  • Carolina L.

    Carolina L.

    Duke University

  • Isabella B.

    Isabella B.

    Durham University

Want to go to Duke?

Talk with one of our academic experts today and see how Crimson can help you!

Crimson strategists

Extracurriculars

  • State Finalist, Robotics Competition

    Robotics
    3 hr/wk

    Used PixyCam & Lego Mindstorms to create interactive Briscola card playing robot; placed 2nd in state competition; video featured on PixyCam website

  • Classically Trained Cellist

    Music: Instrumental
    6 hr/wk

    Auditioned & selected for Youth Orchestra Philharmonic; lead cellist semi-pro orchestra; Regional School Spectacular Orchestra

  • Math Competitions

    Science/Math
    2 hr/wk

    '19 International Mathematical Modeling Challenge National Finalist; '16 '17 High Distinction National Maths Competition; '18 Distinction Award

Essay

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Sam Gosling said in Snoop that your room is a reflection of the inside of your mind. Every chaotic piece of paper cluttering your living space represents an idea created inside that lump of grey matter. However, sometimes each of those neurons pile up and need to be organised. And so, as I walked past my Yamaha upright with sporadic piles of music and the dusty mounds of 1900s CDs, I realised: "I really need a shelf."

Just like any other creative with a penchant for mispronouncing Swedish, I went to IKEA and found a beautiful, white, open-backed cabinet that resonated with my desire for sophisticated simplicity.

The trouble started when the box arrived home. Late at ni...