After defered- what do I do?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>Stats;</p>

<p>Defered Early Decision</p>

<p>NM semifinalist, hopefully finalist, 223
Sat: 2210- 750 CR, 700 M, 760 W, essay 12
ACT: 31
SAT II: US HIST 640, Math I 620, Lit 620 (didn't study and homecoming was the night before)</p>

<p>class rank- at time of ed- 38/564 old gpa was like 4.24 weighted or something
now- 40/530, but GPA improved- not sure what it is converted</p>

<p>7 Senior Year AP's 1st sem. results</p>

<p>AP Calculus BC- 80
AP Chemistry- 73- gpa exempt
AP Spanish IV- 84 gpa exempt
AP English- 88
AP Government- 94
AP European History- 95
AP Statistics- 90
Academic Decathlon- 85 (team)honors class</p>

<p>AP exams
English lang. 5
US Hist 4</p>

<p>essays- well written, but honestly, what was I thinking?
probably not what the admissions office wanted to hear
\ written about my grandmother and I working on ebay</p>

<p>why duke- well written also, but very vague</p>

<p>teacher recs- only one made it to the admissions office, but I sent two from senior year teachers at semester</p>

<p>ecs
Girls Scout Gold Award, Silver Award, Leadership Award, 10 year award</p>

<p>Cross COuntry and track- been to some national meets, although did not win, injured junior year with 3 stress fractures, causing my chances to be recruited small. However, I am running track this season and my times are almost in the range for recruiting, so we'll see.</p>

<p>orchestra- 10 years, won some solo contests, our orch. was #1 in state last year</p>

<p>extensive volunteer work, tutoring, etc.</p>

<p>I'm probably not going to get accepted due to low grades, but I really want to go to DUke and I was wondering if there is anything I can do at this point (besides donating alot of money) to get accepted. I was thinking about retaking the SAT or SAT II or ACT</p>

2

<p>Honestly, there is really nothing you can do. Your SAT's are fine (probably about 10-20 points above the average). Maybe you can send in an artistic supplement or an extra essay.</p>

3

<p>I disagree. There's TONS you can do to argue your case. I agree with the test scores...but there are many supplemts you can send. I sent 2 additional recommendations (one from a teacher, another from my employer (I work at alearning center)). I also sent a personal letter explaining, well, why I wanted to be at Duke. </p>

<p>Get your GC involved if at all possible. I've also heard it's beneficial if YOU call the admissions office and speak to your admissions counselor a bit. </p>

<p>Whatever you do don't get lazy. Make sure you stay on it because there will be tons of "melting" with deferred candidates.</p>

4

<p>I called my admissions officer like the day after I got deferred but she really told me that it came down to the strength of the applicant pool. I don't know if she will remember me since she talks to so many people, but I dont know if I want to call her again because i'm sure she is really busy right now.</p>

<p>If I decide to send a personal letter, should I send it in the regular mail and just write the address on the envelope and pray that it gets to my file?? (the deadline has already passed)</p>

5

<p>yeah I'd def. send it. They said to go ahead and send anything into February. </p>

<p>Make sure when you send it it has your name and some other form of identifying information such as SS# or High School.</p>

6

<p>yeah, you have to express your interest. </p>

<p>If you had recommendations from a science teacher and a language arts teacher, try two new recs from different kinds of teacers (like art teachers, piano teachers, whatever).</p>

7

<p>Why? You have two recommendations, and that's it. Period. I don't understand why everyone is trying to gain unfair advantages by sending more recommendations when 2 are required and one is optional from someone who knows you. Jesus.</p>

8

<p>How do you write a letter telling that Duke is your #1 choice? How long should it be?</p>

9

<p>There's no unfair advantage in the deferral game. The people who were accepted were accepted. The people who were rejected were rejected. You're stuck in the middle with 700 other people and have to distinguish yourself from everyone else. It's not a situation where you sit back and relax and no one will ever tell you that. </p>

<p>hairypotty- I wouldn't do too long. Definitely not over a page. Just short and to the point and not too sappy. Say it like you mean it.</p>

10

<p>Some people actually LIKE to sit back and relax and they still deserve admission. Just because they aren't anal doesn't mean anything.</p>

11

<p>Well Duke doesn't know that. You have to keep up with everyone else.</p>

<p>Conversations over.</p>

12

<p>oh ok, sorry biotch.</p>