@jwang217 Here’s some perspective: Duke accepts like 26% from the ED pool, but only 9% of the RD pool. It will increase your chances a very significant amount. I’m in pretty much the same situation as you are, and I am applying Duke ED. I don’t worry about street prestige too much, it’s more of what you do that really counts, so go where you think you would fit in the most and be able to do very well. Keep in mind that if you would get into Duke ED, by no means does that mean you would get in RD for sure. If I had to chance you on Duke ED, I’d say you’d have a very fair shot, but there are no guarantees at this level.
Honestly, it is hard to say because some of these universities are crazy for what they look for, but you seem like the perfect student. Just reading your info I want to meet you. I would say you are worthy of admission to all schools, but you never know what some of these schools are looking for.
Thank you everyone for all your responses it’s been incredibly helpful/humbling/eye-opening - I appreciate each and every response
Stanford/Duke/Yale/UPenn-Reaches for almost anyone, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you got into at least one
Vandy/Emory/UVA-Would be surprised if you didn’t get into at least one of them
UMD-Safety
Hello @jwang217 ! Perhaps your question has been answered already, but just in case, I’ll contribute an answer, too! The chances of getting into Duke if you apply ED are much, much, higher: about 26%, which is pretty incredible for such a highly ranked school. Given, that is the time when athletes and legacies apply, but I also believe that Duke is slightly more lenient with the ED applicant pool. I once heard a Duke admissions officer say, “ED is like marriage. If you’re willing to wholeheartedly commit to the relationship, then of course we’re much more likely to say ‘yes!’”
Additionally, I think earlier you mentioned that you would pick Duke over all the other schools you’re applying to (?). I believe that’s more than enough reason to apply ED to Duke. That’s exactly what ED was designed for; it was created to give better chances to applicants who are absolutely dedicated to the school and would go regardless of wherever else they’re accepted. I wouldn’t worry about prestige and such. Duke has certainly established an excellent reputation for itself as a highly ranked school, and if you really think that you would fit in there, then try for there, rather than just throwing it all away just for the sake of going to an Ivy. Ivies are great, but don’t just go for the famous names. It should be about your learning experience.
Whether you choose Duke or Stanford or whatever else, I would advise you to not worry about what other people think. This is your life, not theirs. This is your decision to make, not theirs. Try to tune out what other people are saying, and try to listen to what YOU have to say. You should determine the direction of your own life.
Just my two cents! Sorry for the long answer!
You can’t EA and SCEA at the same time. You can, however, ED to Duke and EA to those schools. I’d ED to Duke if I were you, especially given your interest in attending there. It would make your chances at admission much higher.
Thank you all so much for the replies
tbh i was thinking your application is stronger than mine hahaha
also–if you really liked Duke, you would ED there regardless what anybody says: stanford is a waste of an ea/ed imo
best of luck:))
@PinkManatee hahaha wow thank you so much!! best of luck to you too
Duke is likely the one you could get in the ED…Be realistic as a proud Asian girl (fortunately, not boy)…
@J2H239 No chance Duke RD?
I think one of your strengths is the uniqueness of your ECs, especially for an asian applicant. Your academics obviously qualify you for all the schools you want to apply to but IMO your leadership is stronger than your awards/ accomplishments so I would really highlight those in your essays. As a fellow applicant, I am really intrigued by all the details you put in describing your leadership positions and would want to hear more! I’m not qualified enough to chance you but hope that helps in some way. Best of luck- let’s go class of 2020!
Chance me if you want to- http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1819070-harvard-vs-princeton-scea.html#latest