<p>To my extreme disappointment, I found out I was deferred from Duke yesterday. Duke has been my dream school since freshman year, I am a legacy, I have a 33 ACT, and great EC's. I believe all parts of my application for Duke were excellent, except one, and unfortunately the most important- GPA. </p>
<p>I have a 3.4 UW, 3.65 W GPA. I take the most rigorous curriculum possible, but I have been a mostly B student (1 A sophomore year, 2 As junior year), until this year (straight As so far). </p>
<p>Should I be thankful that I wasn't flat out rejected with my GPA? </p>
<p>Also, the main question is should I contact my regional rep to ask why I was deferred? I have read that that's a good idea but I don't want to badger them. </p>
<p>I really really really want to go to Duke. What is my best course of action to maximize my chances for regular decision?</p>
<p>Send a recommendation from someone associated with Duke. That’s the only way I’ve seen people with bad grades get in. The GPA will really hurt regardless though.</p>
<p>Try working on some academic contests during the spring, and if you win any awards during that time before March, you can definitely update the new information. Also, another thing you can update the admissions officers with is any AP tests that you are planning to take, which shows your motivation. Also, I guess it couldn’t hurt to send another email (later in the spring) reemphasizing why you want to attend the university. These are just some things I would have done had I been in your situation. Good luck!</p>
<p>Also, make sure that your guidance office sends a mid-year report with your 1st semester senior year grades. I know that you had to send a quarter report as part of the ED application, but it will help you out if you send the full semester report when it becomes available after exams (especially if it shows grade improvement).</p>