A few words before decisions are released

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
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<p>With admissions decisions coming out today and the frantic panicking I'm seeing on this board, I wanted to say a couple of things:</p>

<p>First and foremost, good luck. The majority of you are amazing applicants and deserve to go to great places. And luckily, if you're shooting for a place like Duke, you probably will. Remember that old adage? "Shoot for the moon, and you'll land amongst the stars." It applies here as well.</p>

<p>To those who are admitted, congratulations! Get excited to become a Dukie. But for those who are waitlisted or rejected, don't be too hurt. Undergraduate Dean Guttentag said it best last year:</p>

<p>"...I truly regret that we could not offer you a place in the first-year class. I know that you will find an institution at which you will be happy; I know, too, that the school you choose will benefit from your presence."</p>

<p>Before I bled Duke Blue, my heart was with Stanford. When I got rejected, it was hard. But to be honest, I think it was probably one of the best things to happen to me. Things happen for a reason - if I had gotten into Stanford, I may not have enrolled as a student here and realized how incredible of an institution Duke really is. Duke and Durham have far exceeded my already high expectations, and the thought of leaving after graduation makes me incredibly sad. I love this school to death and this town has become my home.</p>

<p>So while you may love Duke, you will flourish at whatever school you end up attending. Your identity is not shaped by the school you go to; rather, you determine it yourself. So while this all may sound cliche, it's true. Your life isn't over if you don't get into Duke (or insert other dream school here), and there are plenty of places that you will get to choose from and eventually come to love. Celebrate your acceptances rather than sink into any rejections.</p>

<p>Good luck, and congrats to the Duke class of 2014. :)</p>

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<p>really wise, but not registering with less than four hours to wait . . .</p>

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<p>That was an awesome thing. You said everything perfectly.</p>

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<p>Thank you. We should really all be proud of ourselves at this point either way.</p>

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<p>Thank you for this, eatsalot. Very true. We should all be proud of ourselves for even applying in the first place and making it this far!</p>

<p>Good luck everyone!</p>

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<p>Eatsalot: Thank you for those wise words. So well said. If you are representative of the people at Duke, then it really is a great place to be.</p>

<p>My D was just waitlisted at Stanford and has been accepted (likely letters) by Cornell (engineering), Dartmouth, and Vanderbilt. She is really hoping for a Duke (Pratt) acceptance but you are right, there are lots of great schools out there and so many amazing kids.</p>

<p>Thank you for taking the time to post that for the applicants. As a mom, its tough to see so many amazing kids who have worked so hard, made excellent choices and done so much in their young lives experience a rejection. But rejection is part of life and will make one stronger.</p>

<p>I have great respect for everyone on this board. Good luck to you all.</p>

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<p>Eatsalot!</p>

<p>You are a pillar of refreshing calmness in this sea of anxiety and excitement. Thank you for posting. As others mentioned above, you represent Duke in a very positive way.</p>

<p>Thank you and keep it up :slight_smile: PLEASE. :)</p>

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<p>Your identity is not shaped by the school you go to; rather, you determine it yourself.</p>

<p>love it. love it. love it.</p>

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<p>THOSE WHO GOT DENIED; YOU FAIL IN LIFE.</p>

<p>and so do i.</p>