<p>T_college - congrats on your admission to Vandy - I also applied there and got accepted, though ultimately did not enroll. Unfortunately, I am not quite familiar with the admissions process regarding your unique situation - will you be applying next year as an incoming first-year college student (freshman) or as a transfer student since you will be attending a year of college in India. The admissions process for each is a bit different - I am mostly familiar with freshman admissions, not transfer, but I believe the processes are fairly similar. Also, are you a domestic or international student?</p>
<p>Wherever you decide to do ED, they will consider both your academic credentials from high school AND what you did during your year off. I don't think they weight senior yr. grades more heavily, but will look at all your grades from every year in high school, like they normally would. If you're attending college in India, they will also look at your grades/coursework from that, perhaps moreso than your high school work. EC's, research, community service work will all be influential in your admissions decision as well so be sure to do that as you've said.</p>
<p>If I were you, I'd also prep a bit for the writing SAT II and retake that and try to break 700. Thats perhaps THE weakest part of your application, other than that, everything else seems excellent.</p>
<p>Regarding the app - Spend a lot of time perfecting it - especially the essays, short response questions, and EC/Awards areas. Write about something particularly meaningful and relevant to you, perhaps what you've learned during your year off and how you would apply that knowledge in the academic environment of the university. For the EC's, more important than just doing a laundry list of items and awards, take time to explain to them, in a paragraph each or so, the ones you've found most compelling and what you've learned from doing it. Anyone can join a million clubs, but only a few can clearly articulate and appreciate the values they've learned from doing such activities. Also, along with your app, you can send in supplementary materials, such as a copy of your research report, extra recs, perhaps a rec from a family member which gives a personal touch, and anything out of the ordinary you which to convey to the adcoms that your app did not explain as clear as you'd like. By taking the time to enhance your app w/ these little touches, the adcoms will see that you genuinely care about and want to attend their school. You can also write a letter iterating that their school is your top choice, etc... and what aspects you'd contribute to their school, what aspects you'd like to gain from going to school there, etc. They like to see thinking minds.</p>
<p>Lastly, regarding the ED school, that is a decision that you alone must make. If you truly like Penn or Duke, don't be afraid to pursue your dream! Make sure you articulate that you really like the school in your application. Aside from admissions, have you visited Penn or Duke? The environments of both schools are quite different (in the city vs. in a small town) and the weather is also different. Academically, both are strong for premed, but Duke's bio dept. is better.</p>
<p>Good luck w/ your decision! You still got a while to decide so get some advice from other ppl. Be sure to apply to the other schools on your list RD as well in case ED doesn't work out and spend just as much time and effort on those apps. :)</p>
<p>-Will</p>