Case Studies

Case Study: Duke University

  • Name: Randy, Missouri (USA)
  • Academics: 3.9 GPA, 32 ACT, APs in Environmental Science (5), Biology (5), English Literature (4)
  • Triangle of Talent Focus: A rare and unique hobby
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Many top universities do not require you to apply to a major, so an intense interest in a less popular subject may allow you to be admitted (after which you can pick any major you want). This happened to our student who was admitted to Duke University by expressing his passion for geography and biology. With the encouragement of ThinkSTEP, this student discovered a new hobby that intensely intrigued him: geocaching, a timed treasure hunt where you use a map and compass (no GPS or iPhone!) to locate and travel to specific places in a forest. He joined weekend gatherings with other enthusiasts and eventually created the first high school geocaching club in the Saint Louis metropolitan area. His leadership in a unique field helped him gain admission to Duke University, where he decided to study biology (not geography).

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