<p>For duke university, it says on the collegedata website it recommends 4 years.. would only 2 years hurt my application?</p>
<p>… would seem so, no?</p>
<p>[Duke</a> University Admissions: Ask a Question](<a href=“http://admissions.duke.edu/faq/index4928.html?iQuestionID=514%20&iCategoryID=8]Duke”>http://admissions.duke.edu/faq/index4928.html?iQuestionID=514%20&iCategoryID=8)</p>
<p>**What can I do in high school to prepare me for Duke?
**
It is difficult to give advice on specific classes you should take. We evaluate and rate applicants in six areas: standardized testing, curriculum choice, achievement, recommendations, essays, and extracurricular activity. You should challenge yourself and take some difficult classes. In general, your secondary school record should include the best and most challenging courses available: four years of English and at least three years of mathematics, natural science, foreign language, and social studies. If offered by your school, you should take Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in addition to Honors courses.</p>
<pre><code>Of course, you should strive to make excellent grades. You don’t need to make straight A’s, but you should definitely exceed average work. You should also complement academics with outside activities. When we evaluate extracurricular activities, it is not the number of activities that is important, it is the quality of involvement and the level of commitment to an activity that becomes meaningful.
</code></pre>