<p>D1 interested in Duke, but we need to balance financial side when compared to other schools that offer considerable merit scholarships. Can anyone provide general or even specific insight into her chances for Duke merit scholarships? They don't seem to offer too much, is that a correct assessment?</p>
<ul>
<li>ACT Composite of 36</li>
<li>SAT Math - 800, Chemistry - 790</li>
<li>Hoping for National Merit - PSAT score of 230</li>
<li>4.0/4.9 uw/w gpa, I.B. program, all A's for entire high school career, will probably get 40+ points for I.B. diploma </li>
<li>Ranking: 2 out of 500+</li>
<li>Year round athlete (practive 20+ hous a week) with some National results, but Duke doesn't have sport</li>
<li>Multiple honor societies, plenty of volunteer work, some academic awards, but not hardcore with STEM activities</li>
</ul>
<p>@barn9898 - if you search my previous posts on this forum, you will be able to find out my S’s stats. He received full ride to Duke (and two others, but chose Duke). You will never know the outcome unless you apply :)</p>
<p>Even with a record as impressive as your daughter’s, merit scholarships at highly selective schools are exceedingly competitive. At Duke, there are only a few dozen of these scholarships for over 30,000+ applicants. Just because of the numbers involved, luck does factor in at some point. Duke’s Dean of Admissions pointed out last year that they rejected more than 200 applicants for admission that had perfect test scores and almost 2,000 valedictorians - and that is for the 3,000 admission spots, NOT the 50 full rides.</p>
<p>I would also point out that the Robertson Scholarship includes a full ride to Duke but requires a separate application.</p>
<p>Theoretically yes, Robertson does have a special application process, but the university can also nominate … that is what has happened in my S’ s case .</p>
<p>My child was offered the AB Duke Scholarship this year. She had excellent academic qualifications though not “perfect” and had unique extracurricular activities that stood out.</p>
<p>Duke scholarships are usually awarded based on amazing extracurriculars, and there are very little of them. This is because everyone who gets in to Duke has stellar stats and good extracurriulars. Unless she has extremely unique activities, I wouldn’t expect a merit scholarship.</p>
<p>Congratulations Barn on your daughter’s accomplishments! She has obviously worked very hard.</p>
<p>My daughter was fortunate to receive a scholarship to Duke this year and my suggestion to you is for your daughter’s application to highlight how she made a significant positive impact in her environment through an academic, EC or volunteer situation that she is passionate about. If she has ongoing projects and aspirations for further work to be done in that area, then she is a type of student that Duke hopes to attract.</p>
<p>Best of luck to her! (unfortunately, with such competitive scholarships, there is some luck involved)</p>
<p>Test scores have no relevance with the merit scholarships. I’ve met many of them in my class and they won their awards due to incredible national and international achievements</p>