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How did I get offers from Duke, Emory and more

Author

Jill
December 31, 2024

Today’s #howigotin.fyi features Makky Mozie, who received offers from many prestigious universities including Duke, Emory, and more! Take a look at what her application looks like.

💯 Acceptance

Year of admission: 2024

Applied to: 

In-State Schools:

  • East Carolina University (ECU)

  • North Carolina State University (NC State)

  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill)

  • Davidson College

  • Duke University

Out-of-State Schools:

  • Emory University

  • Vanderbilt University

  • Brown University

Received offers from: 

  • East Carolina University (ECU)

  • UNC Chapel Hill: Accepted with a summer abroad opportunity

  • NC State: Accepted, offered honors program

  • Davidson College

  • Emory University

  • Duke University

🌆Background

  • First-generation Nigerian-American.

  • Lives in North Carolina and commuted to a small private school with a graduating class of 48 students.

  • Wrote extensively about her Nigerian heritage in essays, as it played a significant role in her identity and application.

  • Consistently took honors and AP classes, graduated with a strong academic record

🪜Rank

  • Top 5 of her class (school did not officially rank)

🔖 Test Scores

  • SAT: Highest score was 1370 (did not submit).

  • ACT: Not submitted.

  • Applied test-optional to most schools.

🏅Academic Honors

  • Submitted five honors and awards through the Common App.

  • Cum Laude Society on 11th and 12th grade, recognized at national level

  • Presidential Service Scholar Award, recognized at national level

  • Governor’s Volunteer Service Award, recognized at the state level

  • North Carolina Governor’s School - Dance, recognized at the state/ regional level

  • College Board National African American Recognition, recognized at the national level

🤖Extracurricular Activities

  1. President of Blood Donor Ambassador, Eastern North Carolina Red Cross Youth Club

  2. Junior Volunteer, Onslow Memorial Hospital - volunteered 500+ hours

  3. Dancer, Member, UPper School Dance Ensemble at Arendell Parrott Academy, competed and won awards 

  4. Secretary, Committee Member of a mental health organization 

  5. Advisory Council, Member, at Students Effectively Realizing Their Value (SERV), Volunteered over 900+ service hours

  6. Biology and Chemistry tutor, Peer Tutoring while taking AP Chemistry and Biology

  7. Member, Quiz Bowl

  8. Participant, World Culture Fair at their school

  9. Treasurer, Member, International Thespian Society, participated in play production and competed yearly at NC theatre Conference

  10. Writer, Social Media Manager, of The Parrott Post, the school’s renewed newspaper publication

💭Advice

Essays Are Crucial:

  • Essays differentiate you from other applicants.

  • Focus on building a personal narrative that reflects your unique identity and experiences.

Take Advantage of Test-Optional Policies:

  • If standardized tests don’t represent your abilities, consider applying test-optional.

Maximize Application Features:

  • Participate in interviews and complete all optional parts of applications.

  • Research schools deeply for supplemental essays, especially "Why this school?" prompts.

Use Context:

  • Admissions officers value effort relative to the resources available at your school (e.g., AP offerings).

Write About Personal Growth:

  • Mackie’s essay on her full name and cultural experiences resonated with admissions officers.

Be Genuine:

  • Share your authentic self through your application, highlighting what makes you unique.

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