Deferred and Devastated

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I found out tonight that I was deferred from Duke ED. Honestly, I am devastated. I can't see myself anywhere else, but I know that I need to get my other applications together. I'm not really sure what to expect in the regular decision round. My deferral was shocking and heart-breaking and I want to be sure that I am applying to at least some schools that will accept me.</p>

<p>I am applying to:</p>

<p>Duke (still praying)
Penn
Wash U
Vanderbilt
Brown
Cornell
Georgetown (2nd choice)
University of Michigan (already applied, should be hearing soon)
Haverford College
Williams College
*This list is tentative and I would like to add a few others and maybe take off one or two that are already there.</p>

<p>My stats are as follows:</p>

<p>White female from affluent NY suburb (no points there)
VERY competitive public school (Old SAT average = 1300)</p>

<p>GPA: 3.91 uw through junior year (school doesnt weight)</p>

<p>SAT: Math - 720; CR - 720; Writing - 790 (I took the test again in December and I am awaiting the results)</p>

<p>SAT IIs: 770 US History; 750 Math IC; 630 Molecular Bio (freshmen yr)...Im considering taking the IIC or spanish in january...any suggestions?</p>

<p>Recommendations: All excellent, best part of my app I think</p>

<p>ECs: Lots of work with autism/special needs people; tennis team captain; president of 1 school club and treasurer of another...lots of dedication</p>

<p>Junior Year Classes:
Advanced Physics - A-
Honors Spanish IV - A
Advanced Latin II - A-
Honors Precalculus - A
English III - A
AP US History - A (5 on AP test...only AP available to juniors)</p>

<p>Senior Year Classes:
AP Calc AB (A- for semester probably)
AP English Lit (A- for semester probably)
AP Spanish Lang (A for semester probably)
AP Macroeconomics (B or B+ for semester)
AP Chemistry (killing me, probably getting my first B for the semester)</p>

<p>I'm very nervous about my regular decision applications. I still want to go to Duke more than anything, but I would really like some thoughts/advice on others. Feel free to add any additional schools and please let me know if you think any of the schools are unrealistic. Thank you in advance for any responses.</p>

2

<p>Wow, Duke seemed to definitely be a match for you ED... I'm surprised you didn't get in.</p>

3

<p>I am shocked and devastated. I never imagined it would be this hard. I've been so focused on duke for so long that I havent even paid very much attention to other colleges and applications.</p>

4

<p>somebody please respond...</p>

5

<p>Apply to Carolina too and try to be a robertson scholar. I think it lets you go to school to both. Plus its a lot of money. Not sure if its too late or not though.</p>

6

<p>wow i'm shocked. last year a girl did Duke ED and all she had was a 4.0 with tough course load and SAT and still got in. maybe the essay perhaps?
I understand how u feel. i felt the same way when i got deferred from columbia and deferred AGAIN from MIT. It took me a few days to get over it esp. since a lot of people i know got in stanford and harvard EA.
i know it's really hard to move on but from a new perspective now you can choose anything and you can reassess yourself.
if you want I'll be glad to talk to you so im me later.</p>

7

<p>Thank you for your input so far. My guidance counselor at school said that he is absolutely shocked and speechless. I really dont know what to do at this point. My heart is set on being a Blue Devil, and I know that the chances are now slim that I can be. I would really appreciate any advice on regular decision applications...</p>

8

<p>Any of those schools might take you, but all are pretty tough. You need some safeties and matches--if you would consider other schools in the Midwest: Grinnell, Carleton, Macalester, U Wisconsin, although I bet you will get in to U Michigan.</p>

<p>Northeast/ east: Vassar, Skidmore, Brandeis, U Maryland, U Delaware</p>

<p>Good Luck</p>

9

<p>You have strong credentials, but these days nothing is certain. </p>

<p>If you get into UM in the next day or two and are happy with that as your bottom line, you can simply go forward with your plan. If you do not get in to UM or the decision doesn't come through speedily, I'd like to second pyewacket's suggestions. You need one true safety and one or two clear matches. I believe a true safety should be someplace where you rank in the top quarter of SAT scores and admission rates are 50% or above. </p>

<p>I would not wait too long. Give it a day or two to get the UM notice. If nothing comes through, prepare the other applications and ask for credentials to be sent. You can wait to press the submit button but at least you'll be ready to do so. </p>

<p>To the list pyewacket gave you, I would also consider U Rochester or Union in the northeast, Earlham in the midwest, which would be a true safety.</p>

10

<p>Do NOT give up on Duke, and don't panic. Most importantly, don't feel helpless- be active. Write your adcom a letter(s), send them updated info and grades, and get your guidance counselor to call or write. There's plenty you can do to get in- many of the deferrees get rejected because they just give up. </p>

<p>I would seriously think about adding Wake Forest. It should be a match, and its balance of academics and social scene is similar to Duke's. Merit $ might be a possibility; Wake is fairly generous.</p>

11

<p>Thanks Warblers,
I am not giving up on Duke. I will do anything and everything possible to turn my decision around. My guidance counselor will call next week. I'm just not sure what went wrong. Anyway, if anyone has other advice, I would appreciate it...</p>

12

<p>I second Wake Forest :)
Wake Forest and Duke are IMO two of the best schools in the country. They are small, private, in the south, have strong academics and school spirit with ACC athletics. I know the basketball shouldn't matter, but that will be FUN during the winter :)<br>
For Duke you should get some more recs if possible and write a heartfelt letter to them. Talk about the weaknesses on your app and clear that up, but you don't seem to have many :) Just tell them it is your DREAM to go there. Get an interview if you haven't already.<br>
I'm sure everything will work out, good luck!</p>

13

<p>hi i fell the same way i just got deffered from cornell ed with similar stats as you.( lower sat but more ec)</p>

<p>but i am an asian male........... which sucks ass these days</p>

14

<p>I was deferred at MIT =&lt;/p>

<p>Who knows.. you may find that acceptance letter come March</p>

15

<p>i was deferred from Duke as well :(</p>

<p>hopefully we will get in regular decision</p>