<p>I applied early decision and unfortunately was deferred to regular decision this year, most likely due to the insane rise in early decision applicants this year.</p>
<p>This year I decided to really challenge myself academically, and took 5 AP classes outside of school. Now, my school is really unique compared to most in that it's really small, and as such, only offers 3 AP classes (Calculus, English Language, English Lit). I've already taken all three, and wanted to go above and beyond for this year. I'll be graduating with 8 total AP classes under my belt, and 5 taken via accredited online courses in my own time.</p>
<p>Here's the issue: I have decent A's in 4 of those extracurricular APs (96%~99%) but a B+ in one (92%, to be exact). </p>
<p>I've never had a grade below a 96% in my entire high school career, until now. My GPA before this semester was 3.9/4. How bad does this hurt me? I know that almost 80% of the deferral outcome relies on mid-year grades. Am I doomed? >.<</p>
<p>Personally I don’t think so because you have demonstrated exceptional initiative in seeking several AP courses outside of what your HS offers. And you are doing very well. Even the 92 which you think is iffy is quite good. If you do not get in during the RD round I don’t think it will because of your senior classes / grades. In fact I think what you have done here is a net plus. (My opinion). Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>danhwkim: I don’t believe you’re doomed, but, realistically, virtually no Duke applicant is unchallenged. Simply put, and as you thoroughly understand, Duke is a premier university and admission is quite difficult to achieve. With this said, I hardly every contribute to this sort of “chance me” discussion, because we have so little information about you, your experiences, your secondary school, etc. and because Undergraduate Admission’s final decision is a melding of both art and science, of objectivity and subjectivity. All of the things you’ve outlined about your school, your extra efforts to take advanced course, your grades, and so forth COULD (no guarantee) work to your advantage, IF – and this is a critical “if” – your essays, your recommendations (especially from you counselor), and Duke’s knowledge of your high school highlight how assiduously you’ve worked to compensate for your school’s comparative limitations.</p>
<p>Incidentally, you may know something I do not, but in decades of intense alumni leadership at Duke, I have never heard anyone suggest that “almost 80% of the deferral outcome relies on mid-year grades.” </p>
<p>I wish you good luck, and I hope your application strongly conveys the facts that you’ve not only done very well, but that you’ve also worked diligently to prepare for a university of Duke’s stature. </p>