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I swear if i knew they had that 2340 rule, i would have TOTALLY tried to do better. Too late now.
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<p>honestly, i think that "rule" was pulled out of someone's butt lol. duke is hollistic. highly, HIGHLY doubt there is such a thing -_-</p>
<p>My S attends and the admissions dean spoke to a bunch of kids and explained complex process. He advised that they group kids fpor example with 2300 plus SAT into one group for example and group all similar scores into similar levels. That means a 2320 is not really looked at that much differently than a 2380 etc. and a 2270 may be in the same group with a 2300. They really look at the whole picture but higher GPA and SAT scores are obviously given strong consideration. Surprisingly some letters from parents were so impressive and well thought out that they made difference as opposed to a teacher who realy did not know the applicant well or guidance counselor. I am sure they want those too but the fact that they really looked at the parents letter was a surprise. I never wrote one and my S woudl have killled me if i woudl have suggested it back when he applied. They really give the applicants a close look with many hands on the application, a very well thought out process. Lower scores won't always keep you out, depends on your letters EC's and recomendations etc. I wish everyone luck, I remember my S expression when he got his personalized acceptance in the mail!</p>
<p>Yea i know it's holistic, but we're human, and we know there is a difference between 2260 and a 2380. </p>
<p>Aw, your son must have felt so great! He waited until the mail to find out his decision? Don't most people check online?</p>
<p>What if your parents don't speak English very well? Am I at a disadvantage with the parent-letter thing?</p>
<p>"Surprisingly some letters from parents were so impressive and well thought out that they made difference"</p>
<p>My D's guidance counselor was told this as well.</p>
<p>Any applicants to Duke MUST read Rachel Toor's ADMISSIONS CONFIDENTIAL. It explains the key criteria and how applicants are evaluated. The book is a bit dated, but the underlying principles are still relevant. Some of the posters here seem to be a little overly concerned with test scores, and four other areas are very important.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Eh, I'm not "overly concerned with test scores", just kind of wallowing in self-pity at not doing it well enough as i could have. I know that's not good either.</p>
<p>What are main/key pieces of advice from this book?
I don't think I have the time to get it and read it...</p>
<p>Let me guess the four areas:
-Essays
-Teacher Recs
-Character displayed: esp good stuff like curiosity, enthusiasm, etc
-How much you stick out from the crowd?</p>
<p>blueducky^^
The five areas are academic, essay, ec's, teacher recs, and test scores. Academic components include both rigor of the curriculum as well as actual grades and class rank. Test scores are a combo of SAT/ACT (and subject tests, if taken). You really need to read the book. I spoke to an AdCom last Spring from Duke (at a college fair) and she would not DENY that Toor's book wasn't still accurate. Duke has reserved in the recent past a significant number of spots for both legacy and developmental admits (the latter being kids whose parents have lots of $$$$$$$$$$ or are nationally-known in their own right and MIGHT contribute big bucks to the college in the future.)</p>
<p>I know some applicants with stellar credentials who were admitted and received zilch scholarship aid, despite an obvious need. Therein lies the subtext to the Duke story: it is still trying to boost its academic rep and is known for being skimpy with assistance. If you don't need the money, don't worry.</p>
<p>Finally, Duke is a top ten school and current and former students really give it high marks. That has to count for something. BTW, I don't know if either of my children will apply and I'm glad I have more time to continue my "CC education"!</p>
<p>Duke admissions are almost as political as Notre Dame...lol</p>
<p>Ha, i thought academics was lumped together with test scores. </p>
<p>Wait it's skimpy with assistance? :O</p>
<p>I need aid for privates, otherwise it's UC Berk for me.</p>
<p>I guess Ivy leagues' lower admit%s are there for a rea$on.</p>
<p>how old is "Admissions Confidential"? and where can you get it?</p>
<p>Domer - aren't you already in college? It's on Amazon and it's been pretty bashed by reviewers. Apparently, Toor is too presumptuous and the book is criticized for its total "Ivy league is better than other colleges" attitude.</p>
<p>lol yeah but i thought it might be useful for my friends and siblings.</p>
<p>I know of people with 1600s who didn't get into Duke- all waitlisted though, I think there may be a minimum SAT for avoiding a rejection.
They either had poor grades and/or had no ECs.</p>
<p>For some reason Mondo's post made me laugh. I'll probably be waitlisted at worst (:
I don't know whether this is good or bad; being on waitlist is like being on life-support. Oh well. Staying positive for now! Is it just me or is Dec 15 just not coming soon enough?</p>
<p>I heard somewhere that Duke is kinda old-fashioned in it's application process...very big on numbers, not so big on EC's. Might be a myth.</p>
<p>Oh, your school has full AP and IB? I've never heard of that. Must be hard. How does that work? My school is IB and I do diploma but we only have 2 APs offered.
I only take 1 AP and with my IBs I get NO SLEEP!!! how do you do it???</p>
<p>personally, I think you might be waitlisted, I dont see too much about why duke might want you. Its just something to keep in your head. You seem like another kid who does things in life because you can and not because you like to, so I dunno.That GPA is gonna kill you though</p>