Chances for ED? Does legacy status help a lot?

<p>SAT: 2310 (CR:790 M:770 W:750)
SAT-II: 800 MathIIC, 780 US History
GPA: 4.0 UW, 4.5ish W
Courseload: 4 AP classes through end of junior year, plan to take 6 this year as a senior, very rigorous</p>

<p>Ok grades and test scores are my strong point. My problem is average extracurriculars. Im in band, few clubs, no sports or anything of worth. Did about 300 hrs of community service in various places. No awards or any special programs. But one of my parents did attend Duke.</p>

<p>What are my chances?</p>

<p>No responses? Ok, i got my AP scores back and they are all 4's and 5's, so if that helps. Anyone respond please!</p>

<p>Also would like to add my rank which i forgot.
Rank: 12/750</p>

<p>Very good chances, I'd say - Legacy status only helps if ur parents have donated $ I think, otherwise its not a major advantage, though theres still some. Everything academic (test scores, grades, etc) excellent - I'd say top of the applicant pool. EC's and stuff might be overlooked due to this. Just remember to spend time on the essays and make them "you." Try to elaborate on the EC's you find most compelling, if any, on the application.</p>

<p>The legacy ED admission rate is pretty high (around 60% I think). Legacy RD rate is in the thirties. So I think there's a distinct advantage though admissions will only say that the legacy applicant pool tends to be really strong.</p>

<p>being a legacy and great academic data, just make sure you write good essays and you have a great shot. of course there is never such a thing as 100% guarantee of getting in but you'll put yourself in a great position.</p>

<p>Thanks guys. Greenshirt, do you have a source for those percentages? Also does anyone know if the parent went to graduate school (not undergraduate), would it still count as legacy at Duke?</p>

<p>I saw the legacy admissions numbers in DUKE MAGAZINE (the alumni mag) last year. They'll prolly run this year's numbers in their next issue. In the GAZETTE section I think. </p>

<p>Here's a link to the numbers four years ago. (66% and 44%!)</p>

<p><a href="http://www.dukemagazine.duke.edu/dukemag/issues/070801/depreg.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.dukemagazine.duke.edu/dukemag/issues/070801/depreg.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>After reading some posts for other colleges here, i'm beginning to think I don't count as legacy because my parent only attended graduate school, not as an undergraduate. :(</p>

<p>Thanks for the help though, GreenShirt. Very much appreciated! :)</p>