<p>So at my school, there are three girls (including myself) that are applying to Duke Early Decision, all with legacy. Here's the scenario:</p>
<p>Applicant #1:
Double legacy-parents give money
One of parents is an alumni interviewer
Top 25% of class of 510
1 varsity sport
Less than 100 hours of community service
No leadership
~2100 SAT</p>
<p>Applicant #2:
Double legacy-parents give a lot of money
Met with regional admissions counselor 1 on 1
Top 15% of class of 510
About 150 hours of community service
2 leadership positions
217 PSAT (comparable SAT)</p>
<p>Me:
Single legacy-parents don't donate
2nd of 510
2250 SAT
3 leadership positions
1 Varsity sport-academic all american and all state
200+ community service hours
Paid research internship</p>
<p>I'm just worried because it's 3 people all applying early decision with legacy from a single school. I was wondering if just because they have double legacy and their parents give money, does that mean they would have a better shot even though their stats are weaker?</p>
<p>Don’t worry about this at all. To say that they have a “better shot” is sort of irrelevant because you personally are not going to be compared to them. For instance, Duke is never going to look at you three together and say “Well we shouldn’t really admit all 3 from the same school early…” If you’re all strong candidates, according to admissions, you’ll get in.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say they have a “better” shot, but naturally if the parents are big donors to the university students usually get a few extra nods from just about any college. Don’t use this as amo to demean yourself though. Your stats, compared to theirs, put you in a great place also because you’ve gotten far more involved in things outside the classroom that presumably interest you. You have just as good of a shot as any of your classmates, IMHO.</p>
<p>Call me crazy, but I actually think having those two other legacies applying ED HELPS you. I think you all help each other, in fact. Yes, Duke looks at and evaluates each applicant individually, but we all know that they have connected the dots are realize that there are three legacy students applying ED from your school. Admissions typically likes to build strong relationships with high schools with strong alumni ties, and rejecting one legacy while accepting the other two might be risky. Yes, all three students need be qualified. If somebody is grossly under-qualified, they will be rejected. But all else being equal, Duke is likely to accept all three of you to continue to build strong ties with their alumni.</p>
<p>In terms of chances for admissions, #2 > #1 > you.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that Duke is THE school that pioneered “developmental admits.” So $$$ talks! More $$$ talks more!!</p>
<p>All 3 of you will likely get in, even though some of you are more likely than others.</p>
<p>it’s pretty creepy how you know all their stats.</p>
<p>It’s only creepy if you aren’t good friends with the other two people. I know pretty much all the stats of all my close friends. It’s a different story, however, if they’re just random people who go to your school, lol.</p>
<p>ha, well, duke works wierdly. they are very loyal to legacies. They will decide to accept you because you will get in on merit (the legacy doesnt hurt at all). to make it seem like they dont favor one legacy over the other, they will accept the other two. Or it can go that they will accept the one who donates money, and to make sure they dont favor one legacy over the other, they will accept the other two students.</p>
<p>This happened to my friend actually. she was number 2 in her class. two other legacies applied. But actually they had much lower stats than your two fellow applicants. All three got in. one of them failed out.</p>
<p>Also, duke shamelessly has very low standards for legacies compared to other schools. this doesnt mean not all legacies wouldnt have gotten in based on their merit alone (i.e. you 
). they used to have a point ranking system. if you pass the score for your group, you are most likely in. The highest level for whites/asians. Next highest for blacks/hispanics/native americans. Next highest for athletes. lowest for legacies. I doubt they still do it this quantitatively anymore, because they have matured in their admissions process. But i doubt you have anything to worry about!</p>