BGrove
BGrove,
Duke
B.S., Economics
I am a normal person: I promise. I am a big sports fan who will be attending Duke to watch basketball (and hopefully graduate with an economics degree).
Features Included
15
Essays
8
Schools
14
Scores
11
Advice
5
ECs
0
Sports

Background

Hometown Phoenix, Arizona
GenderMale
EthnicityWhite Non-Hispanic
Class of2023
First Gen College StudentNo

Results, Essays, and Advice

Accepted
Waitlisted or Withdrew
Denied
  • Duke University (Durham, NC)
  • Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN)
  • University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
  • University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC)
  • University of Texas - Austin (Austin, TX)
  • Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, GA)
  • University of Washington (Seattle, WA)
  • University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ)
Tap/click a school logo above to view essays and advice specific to that school.

Duke University (Durham, NC)

Applied for a B.S. in Economics

Accepted and Enrolled Legacy: No

School Specific Essays

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
I have tried to escape the truth, justify my actions, and run away from what I do. I am the bane of people’s existence, a scapegoat for the world’s collective anger. I am most people’s arch-nemesis. I am incorrigible. I am ruthless. I am a cold-caller for a political campaign. While often reviled– there is a near universal hatred for solicitors– I believe the act of cold-calling is beautiful: a brilliantly choreographed performance which pairs quick thinking...
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Supplemental Essay: “Why us” school essay
139 Words
If you are applying to the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences as a first year applicant, please discuss why you consider Duke a good match for you. Is there something particular about Duke that attracts you? (Please limit your response to no more than 150 words.)
I am interested in Duke because unlike other similar reputation schools, Duke’s academic philosophy is well suited to how I learn. Specifically, programs like Program II, which provides me the freedom to define my own unique path through school, and Duke FOCUS, which allows me to immerse myself in my non-major interests, show Duke shares my values on intellectual flexibility. However, what set Duke apart from other similar-caliber academic schools was its vibrant community. I want to belong to...
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Supplemental Essay: Diversity statement
242 Words
(Optional) Duke University seeks a talented, engaged student body that embodies the wide range of human experience; we believe that the diversity of our students makes our community stronger. If you'd like to share a perspective you bring or experiences you've had to help us understand you better-perhaps related to a community you belong to or your family or cultural background-we encourage you to do so. Real people are reading your application, and we want to do our best to understand and appreciate the real people applying to Duke. (250 word limit)
My family has called Arizona home since before it was a state. One great-grandparent worked as a mortician in Winslow and was one of the only non-native speakers of Navajo, a completely unwritten language. Another was a miner in Prescott, another a miner in Jerome, and others were railroad engineers in Winslow and Yuma. My family lived in and helped shape the great frontier of Arizona. While I no longer face the same challenges as my ancestors (my home is...
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Supplemental Essay: Extracurricular activity
388 Words
Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (150-400 words)
I believe the proverb “give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day, but teach a man to fish, and he will feed himself for a lifetime” is incomplete. I think far more important than teaching a man to fish is teaching him to love fishing, for then he will want to learn everything about fishing all by himself. I have used this philosophy of emphasizing inspiration, rather than pure instruction, to guide my leadership while a...
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Supplemental Essay: Issue of personal significance
212 Words
What do you hope will change about the place where you live?
As an ardent political devotee, protecting every American’s sacred and fundamental right to vote is vital. Arizona, however, is consistently rated as the worst state in the country for protecting voting rights. Whether it be misprinting election dates on Spanish-language ballots, closing polling locations in targeted districts, or creating six hour lines to simply cast a ballot, our officials have shown a disdain towards one of our deepest American values. The Secretary of State is the chief elections officer...
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Supplemental Essay: Diversity statement
250 Words
What about your background, or what perspective, belief, or experience, will help you contribute to the education of your classmates at UNC?
My family has called Arizona home since before it was a state. Four generations of my family are inextricably tied to Arizona’s past, and their history gives me concrete roots to my lifelong home. One great-grandparent worked as a mortician in Winslow and was one of the only non-native speakers of Navajo, a completely unwritten language. Two were miners in Prescott and Jerome, with others working as rail workers in Winslow. While I no longer face the same challenges...
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Supplemental Essay: Intellectual interest
248 Words
Describe something outside of your intended academic focus about which you are interested in learning.
While my primary interests lie in numbers and business, politics has been something I have regularly explored in high school and something I look forward to studying further in college. My interest in government first began when I watched House of Cards, a show about the rise of a corrupt politician through the ranks of the United States government. While I was unquestionably not attracted to this show’s idolization of corruption, House of Cards opened my eyes to a...
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Supplemental Essay: “Why us” school essay
251 Words
Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests at USC. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (250 word limit)
Two ways I plan to pursue my interest in Business Administration at USC is by taking advantage of the Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurship and the Sports Business Institute. I have started many enterprises in my life (most notably the tutoring service I founded and currently work at), and I hope to continue pursuing entrepreneurship through the lectures, seminars, and classes offered by the Lloyd Greif Center. In addition, I am a die-hard sports fan (Go Suns), and I plan...
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Supplemental Essay: “Why us” school essay
246 Words
Why do you want to study your chosen major at Georgia Tech, and how do you think Georgia Tech will prepare you to pursue opportunities in that field after graduation?”
My interest in business began when I read Freakonomics by Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt. The relationships, patterns, and puzzles they laid out fascinated me from cover to cover. I want to study business because I have a fundamental desire to learn why people make the decisions they make. I want to study business specifically at Georgia Tech because of its unorthodox, technology-oriented approach to business and its unique access to countless expanding and influential careers and companies. While Georgia...
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Supplemental Essay: Other
247 Words
Georgia Tech is always looking for innovative undergraduates. Have you had any experience as an entrepreneur? What would you like Georgia Tech to provide to further your entrepreneurial interests?
My entrepreneurial experiences began by accident: a family friend heard I played guitar and asked if I could teach their sons. I enjoyed it, and I began to make some money doing something I was good at. Eventually, word of mouth spread, and I was soon asked to tutor in many subjects beyond guitar. It was clear I would need a more organized business model if I wanted to effectively expand. I began my expanded tutoring agency during my junior...
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Supplemental Essay: Diversity statement
660 Words
What was the environment in which you were raised? Describe your family, home, neighborhood or community, and explain how it has shaped you as a person.
My family has called Arizona home since before its statehood. The four generations of my family are inextricably tied to Arizona’s past, and their history ties me to my home state. One great-grandparent worked as a mortician in Winslow, one of the only non-native speakers of Navajo, a completely unwritten language. Another was a miner in Prescott, another a miner in Jerome, and others were railway engineers in Winslow. My family lived in and helped shape the great frontier...
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Supplemental Essay: Intellectual interest
292 Words
If you could have any career, what would it be? Why? Describe any activities you are involved in, life experiences you’ve had, or even classes you’ve taken that have helped you identify this professional path.
Tips to consider: This is an opportunity to describe your academic and future professional interests. You may not yet be 100% certain about what you want to do, but is there a particular field that you think you want to work in, or a certain path you want to pursue after college? How have your interests and experiences influenced your choice of majors or your plans to explore in college?
Although my passion for the world of business fully began to reveal itself during my high school AP Macroeconomics Class, my father, a financial analyst and small business owner, always tells me it began at a much younger age. The puzzles, problems, and solutions I would ask my dad about his work always made my eyes light up with wonder and excitement. I am a pattern-loving person, and nothing amazed me more than the stunning interconnectedness of everything in business...
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Supplemental Essay: Explaining low grades/scores
291 Words
Do you believe your academic record (transcript information and test scores) provide an accurate representation of you as a student? Why or why not?
As much as any number or statistic can represent my academic record, I believe my transcript and test scores provide an accurate representation of the diligence, effort, commitment, and achievement I have displayed in my academics. I have worked incredibly hard to earn my grades and scores, and as a result, I am very proud that my many early mornings, late nights, and busy lunches resulted in success. That being said, my academics have not been as flawless as my 4.0...
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Supplemental Essay: Extracurricular activity
282 Words
How do you show leadership in your life? How do you see yourself being a leader at UT Austin?
French poet and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry who once said, “If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea”. Since reading this quote in a book that defined my childhood, The Little Prince, it has defined the way I lead others: by helping people find a passion. One of the primary places I have...
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Supplemental Essay: Diversity statement
241 Words
Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the University of Washington.
My family has called Arizona home since before it was a state. My four generations of family history and its proximity to Arizona’s past. One great-grandparent worked as a mortician in Winslow, one of the only non-native speakers of Navajo, a completely unwritten language. Another was a miner in Prescott, with another being a miner in Jerome, and others as rail workers in Winslow. Their example has shown me the irreplaceable value of both hard work and failure as...
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School Specific Advice

Additional material sent in after waitlisted or deferred
467 Words
I was one of 82 kids in the class of 2019 to be deferred from Duke and then accepted. Most kids who were deferred sent a LOCI, or a letter of continued interest, into Duke after they are deferred or waitlisted. Definitely do this, but if you want it to really have an impact, there are some things you should consider to make it as impactful as possible. 1. Share some new information. a lot should be happening in your life between when you hit submit and when you get your decision, so share some of that in your LOCI. Let them know...
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How important school spirit is around athletics at my school
56 Words
HUGE! It's truly awesome. If you are a sports person, this is your place. It's known for...
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How to increase chances at my school
128 Words
Duke is hard to get into. That much you know. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that any individual person will be admitted, but that doesn't mean you can't help your case. As I said earlier, the most important thing...
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How I chose schools to apply to
571 Words
First thing you should look at is financial fit. It sucks, but it doesn't matter how amazing a school is if you cannot afford it. I don't think finances should stop you from applying (you could get scholarships and such), but knowing which schools you can attend without scholarship and which you must get scholarships for ensures you make a more balanced list. I personally believe the most important part of choosing a school is location. Your college is going to not just be where you study and get a degree from, it will be your home for 4 years. If...
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List of schools I interviewed with and my interview experience
313 Words
I interviewed with an alumni for admission at Duke, and with professors and alumni at Georgia Tech for the Dean's Scholarship. Overall, the experiences were really positive. Not only were they great practice for future interviews, but they also gave me a chance to put into words why I was special and why I wanted to go to the schools I applied to. My Duke interview was incredibly easy. In fact, when referring to it with my friends and family, I always say it was closer to a friendly conversation than an interview. I was simply asked about why I...
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More Essays

These essays haven't been tagged by school. Click school logos above to see tagged essays.

General Admissions Advice

How I narrowed down my essay topics
133 Words
I began by figuring out some story I would want a stranger (the admissions officer) to know about me that another person could not say about themselves. I considered writing something humorous, serious, sad, or a prototypical "impactful" event...
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How to deal with the stress of applying to college
138 Words
Find a healthy, easy, relaxing method to vent stress. I cannot emphasize this enough. If your entire life revolves around college admissions, school, and extracurriculars, you will drive yourself insane. Even if you enjoy all of these things (I certainly did),...
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Recommended summer activities during high school and college
225 Words
My first and most important summer recommendation is to have fun! Go on vacation, go get in trouble (not too much), and take some time to learn who you are as a person when you are not burdened by school. I can promise, this will be valuable come college application season. Past that, I would highly recommend interning for a political campaign! I may be biased...
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My advice about getting recommenders
195 Words
Both your teacher recommendations and your outside recommendations should tell the admissions committee something they don't already know. If you are a 4.0 student and all your teacher mentions is how successful you are in the classroom, why did you even submit that recommendation? If you are president of speech and debate, and all your coach mentions is...
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My insights about AP (Advanced Placement) courses and exams
247 Words
They are great! While AP classes are very difficult (some certainly more than others), getting college credit on those classes is not only cheaper, but it will be far easier than the same class would be in college. As for some advice on how to succeed in these classes, try your best to form positive relationships with your teachers. It will be helpful for recommendations, and it is much easier to get some...
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What set me apart from other applicants
132 Words
I believe what set me apart was a display of a passion and commitment outside of academics and school, and a variety of positive recommendations from both teachers and people involved in my extracurriculars. While showing aptitude in academics is...
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High School Performance

Weighted GPA
4.49
(equivalent to 4.00 unweighted)
Rank
Top 5%
 
College Classes In High School
Academic Performance in High School Steady

Test Scores

Highest ACT
35
 
ACT Score Details
 
Other ACT Scores
ACT Prep
Highest SAT
1530
 
SAT Score Details
 
Other SAT Scores
SAT Prep
PSAT Scores

AP / IB Classes and Scores

Details11 classes and scores

Sports

Extracurriculars

ActivitiesBest Buddies, Political Campaign, Music: Instrumental, Other Club/Activity, Tutoring/Mentoring
Elaborate on Extracurriculars or Work

Experience & Awards

Volunteer Experiences
Awards Received
Application Additional Materials

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