<p>Hi, </p>
<p>My top two choices are Duke and Dartmouth, and I'm definitely going to apply ED to one of them. I'm a legacy at both (mom at Duke, dad, uncle, aunt, grandfather at Dartmouth) and I like both schools equally. Of the two, which would I have a better chance at ED? I'm from Maine, also, which I figure may help my chances at Duke.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Dear OP, please take your ACTs/SATs, make a list of your actual credentials, and then post your question. A lot of really smart kids “like” top schools and have them as their “top choices.” A lot (the overwhelming majority, actually) do not get in. No one can give you even a ballpark idea of “chances” without more information.</p>
<p>Sorry, I guess I worded my original post wrong. I’m not looking for people to chance me, I’m just wondering of the two, which is typically an “easier” school to get into ED, and if the added legacies at Dartmouth would outweigh the “Maine” factor at Duke.</p>
<p>Neither is significantly ‘easier’ than the other. Even if you apply regular decision you still may get in. Apply early to whichever school you like more and think you fit in more at.</p>
<p>Duke is easier to get into.</p>
<p>They’re both about equally difficult to get admitted to unlike what the previous poster said. Three people with similar statistics could get admitted to one, both, or neither.</p>
<p>I think your significant legacy at Dartmouth will be more of a “boost” for ED than your single legacy at Duke. HOWEVER, overall, Duke is slightly less selective.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say Duke is ‘slightly less selective.’ They both admit the applicants who are most qualified to attend and quite frankly, if you’re not qualified for RD, chances are you won’t be qualified for ED. I think one of the only schools that makes this super clear is Brown (see: [First-Year</a> Applicants | Undergraduate Admission](<a href=“Undergraduate Admission | Brown University”>Undergraduate Admission | Brown University)) and I think other schools should too. A quick glance at Duke & Dartmouth’s middle 50% SAT scores show that they’re both in the same range.</p>
<p>both are great schools, but are you going to apply to any schools that your parents did not attend? how do you know those two places are the only two for you? have you traveled around the country and seen rice, vanderbilt, or some smaller schools like haverford or davidson etc…?</p>
<p>Duke’s admit rate is about 2 percentage points higher. A difference exists, just not a very significant one.</p>
<p>Honestly, your chances, and for a matter of fact, anyone’s chances at either school early is virtually the same. The selectivity difference should not be a factor in where you decide to apply ED.</p>
<p>Even though you’re 50-50 now, you should decide which shcool you prefer to go to and apply there.</p>
<p>As to your question – as others have said, there is probably not a meaningful difference in selectivity between them.</p>
<p>Duke offers great combination academics, athletics, school spirit, weather,and a beautiful campus.</p>
<p>The colleges are different enough that you really want to determine which is your true first choice before applying ED to either of them. ED is only appropriate if a school is your clear first choice and you will not need to compare financial aid offers.</p>
<p>I disagree with UCBalumnus. Privates often weight legacy more if you apply ED, so you should apply to one of these. In terms of selectivity its pretty negligible, both are highly selective schools. Its hard to predict what each University is individually looking for and whether you fit that criteria. Basically don’t choose on selectivity, choose on fit. Both are similar yet there are meaningful differences.</p>
<p>Duke is the better option and like I said, admit rate means nothing. UChicago’s admit rate is higher than Dartmouth but the student body is clearly not stronger.</p>
<p>I would go with fit. Answering the following questions may help you pin that down:</p>
<ol>
<li>What is your intended major?</li>
<li>Dartmouth is slightly smaller and more insular. The campus is your whole world. Duke is larger, and there is more to do off campus. What setting do you prefer?</li>
<li>Duke’s basketball program is extremely popular and one of the finest athletic programs. If you enjoy that sort of thing, Duke is a great option. If athletics do not mean much to you, this point is moot.</li>
<li>Do you have a career path in mind or are you still undecided?</li>
</ol>
<p>Do not try to make a decision based on which school will admit you. Both schools are mega-selective and impossible to predict.</p>
<p>dartmouth 100%
duke has some serious issues, they have not resolved!</p>
<p>Dartmouth is incredibly fratty. If you’re a guy and want to party in college, you pretty much have to join a frat a Dartmouth.</p>
<p>Duke>>>Dartmouth</p>