Chance me for Duke Early Decision?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
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<p>Hey there. I am heavily considering applying to Duke early decision. I like the mx between great academics/prestige and the social scene there. Just hoping you guys could chance me for early decision here. Originally, my mom said I couldn't apply early decision anywhere for financial reasons, but after talking to her friends on a trip this weekend, she obviously reconsidered. So, please chance me for ED! Thanks! </p>

<p>Cummulative GPA: 3.55
Freshman Year:
2 Honors courses, Geometry and Bio
3.4 GPA
JV Crew, JV Ski Team
Boy Scouts</p>

<p>Sophmore Year
204 PSAT, without studying
2 Honors Courses: Algebra 2-3, Chemistry 3,
Latin, Spanish
3.62 GPA
Varsity Crew(Spring and Fall), Varsity Ski Team, Debate Team, Boy Scouts, Volunteer Hours</p>

<p>SKI Team Class S State Champions</p>

<p>Junior Year
2 AP's: AP Gov, AP Environmental Science, 5 on Gov, 4 on APES
3 Honors Courses: Spanish, Latin, Great Works(English),
Track, Cross Country Varsity Debate, Varsity Ski Team, Co-Founder of school hiking club,
3.63 GPA
Tutor
Ski Team Class S State Champions again, and third in Entire State(As a team)</p>

<p>Senior Year:
6 AP's: AP Spanish, AP Euro, AP Lang, AP Statistics, AP Micro-Economics, AP Macro-Economics, independent study in physics
Honors: Latin,
Varsity Cross Country, Varsity Track, Varsity Debate, Varsity Ski Team,
Co-Founder of Hiking Club,
Eagle Scout!
Writer: Working on first Book
Started a free SAT tutoring service for those who ordinarily wouldn't be able to take a SAT class</p>

<p>Additional Details
School doesn't release class rank, but I'd say top 10 percent. 3.56 GPA as of right now
Eagle Scout
2310 SAT's: 750 CR, 760 Math, 800 Writing
720 Math 1, 730 Literature, Taking both again in October + 1 additional SAT ii.</p>

<p>I am getting recommendations from my Latin teacher of three years, and my English teacher of two years. Both should be good.
Guidance counselor will probably be standard.</p>

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<p>bump 10 char</p>

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<p>It doesn’t look like you challenged yourself enough the first three years course wise and your GPA seems low. AP Stat instead of AP Calc? That makes it look like you’re slacking regardless of your other AP courses.
Also if you are applying ED just because Duke has a good name then you’re doing something wrong. If you have never visited or know 100 percent you want to go there, ED might not be the right thing for you.</p>

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<p>It was either taking AP Statistics, or taking Pre-Calc discrete, which is not an AP class, and has a reputation of being a senior slacker class, so I considered myself to be challenging myself by taking AP Stat?</p>

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<p>I guess in that case it’s okay as long as you aren’t looking to major in math or science.</p>

<p>But that still doesn’t change the fact that if you don’t know Duke is your number one choice for sure, you shouldn’t apply ED.</p>

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<p>Anyone else want to give me their input?</p>

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<p>Duke cares about GPA. Your scores are very good but Duke gives more weight to GPA. If you want proof look at their Common Data Set, you will realize where you stand vis a vis your GPA. My daughter with a GPA of 3.5 and SAT1 of 2380 who would love to go to Duke, but we are looking some where else, alas. Try ED you might have a chance.</p>

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<p>Do they have a ski team? Have you been to know how much you like it?!</p>

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<p>You are a candidate who will get close scrutiny ED in light of the SAT and solid EC’s. But the overall academic record has a gaping hole due to the low GPA and lack of rigor in your curriculum (no Calculus AP, no science AP (Env Science does not count), no English APs (an especially big problem because how does admissions chalk up the mediocre science/math curriculum as not atypical of someone in love with the liberal arts when that someone has not taken AP English). Given the lack of rigor in the curriculum, the GPA is even harder to explain, but you should try and do so in your application because admissions will be wondering how does such a gifted kid on the SAT end up with almost as many B’s as A’s in a less than rigorous curriculum. </p>

<p>Before you apply to Duke, be certain you are in the top decile (Duke takes virtually no one outside this decile). Even schools that do not report rank will generally report what decile you are in and 3.56 (assume this is not weighted) looks at best on the borderline of the top 10% even if your school has grade deflation. Further, you started off with a 3.55 and ended up at 3.56 and so no GPA increase over time . Instead, it appears this is who you are an A/B student. There are almost none of this at Duke who cannot dunk and so, if there are extenuating Icircumstances make sure you explain them to admissions.</p>

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<p>Hmm, that’s very nice input muckdogs, thanks! One thing though: you said I started at 3.55 and ended on 3.6, but if you notice, freshman year I started off with a 3.4, and junior year I had a 3.63, so that is an upward trend. And yes, the 3.56 is unweighed. And I guess I didn’t make this clear enough, my senior year course of AP Lang is AP English language, haha, sorry for the confusion with that.</p>

<p>As for extenuating circumstances, I do have a twin brother with learning disabilities who I ahve pretty much had to help step-by-step all throughout my life, which I talked about in my common app essay. I wrote about how much I had to help him, and how often I had to help him with his work first before getting to my own, which might help explain my less than stellar gpa. My guidance counselor will also most likely be mentioning that. In addition, the summer before freshman year, one of my close friends was killed, so that affected me freshman year, which my counselor will also mention. And Murphy, they have a club ski team that I would probably join, but no d1. I would appreciate any more additions to this!</p>

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<p>Have you applied early decision for sure yet?</p>

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<p>Definitely going early decision, sending app. in the next week</p>

13

<p>Okay, which school?</p>

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<p>lol? I can’t tell if you are trolling me or not? I’m applying early decision to duke, lol</p>

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<p>Sorry, by school I meant Trinity or Pratt?</p>

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<p>oh, haha, Trinity</p>

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So…what happened? :slight_smile:

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This post is from 2012…But looking at the OP’s posting history, they appear to have gotten deferred ED and then in during the RD round (and decided to attend). So, hopefully, they’re a junior at Duke now.