Do I have a chance at ED Duke/WashU

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hey Everyone!
So I love Duke and WashU both equally. I’m looking to do premed, and I’m wondering which school I would have a better shot at getting in ED. In terms of stats, I go to a really selective magnet school and so academics are really tough so it’s brought my GPA down some. I really want to be a pediatrician when I grow up and Duke and WashU both have pretty strong premed programs.

I’ve heard the program at WashU is a more difficult/stressful than Duke, but I like Biology and hopefully, I’ll be able to keep up. In terms of academics/programs, I love both schools, and they both have good medical school acceptance rates (like their premed students who get into medical school). WashU I was really interested in the Ervins Scholarship and that had me leaning towards them a lot. Duke is a lot closer, which is nice, but WashU has better dorms/food. I’ve visited and I really love both schools equally and unless anyone has any other tips on choosing between them, I’m thinking of ED’ing to the one I have a better shot. Duke is a little higher in terms of ranking, but do I have a chance at all or should I ED to WashU?

Background: I’m the only African American girl in my grade, my teachers all love me, and I have a pretty good relationship with my counselor, I’m a decent writer so hopefully my essays will be alright.
Extracurriculars: I’m president of 2 pretty large clubs at my school and 1 smallish one, Varsity Lacrosse all 4 years, Girl Scouts, and I do a lot of community service type things. I’m involved in NHS/FHS and have a few silver medals from the National French Exam. I’ve interned with my pediatrician and work as a nanny for mentally disabled children during the summer.
Test Scores: 33 ACT and 2180 SAT (should I/do I even have to show colleges my SAT Score?)
Difficulty of classes: I’ll have taken 10 APs when I apply, and scores are all 5/4s (Bio, Econ, Psychology, French, Calc AB, US History, Lang, Gov, and Stat)
Grades: I have A-/A’s except for i got a (B in compsci/B- Algebra 2 freshman year C in precalc sophomore year, and a B in AB, B physics, B AP French junior year.)

Thanks! Any advice/information/predictions would be greatly appreciated!

2

you’re competitive for both. thus you shouldn’t choose either based on your “chances” Truly drill down and discover which you’ll enjoy more. And assuming fin aid is no concern, then ED to that one. If you’re still unsure, ED to neither. You’ll be fine. You’ve accomplished much and should have a very successful college career. Good luck

3

Look on your school’s Naviance. See who they have taken in the past in terms of numbers. Your math grades could use a little improving. How is your SAT ACT broken out? Normally I would say not to send your SAT but it depends which has the higher math grade. Is there something that you are interested in as a major that does not involve math? I would highlight that. Obviously still continue with the premed if that interests you but you do not have to major in it, just take the required classes. I think Duke is need blind, Wash U is need aware. If you do not need money that will help with Wash U (although I know someone who recently got a generous package based on need). Consider preparing for the SAT 2 in math but only if your practice tests are solidly in the 700s.

I would definately pick something as an ED unless you really need to compare packages and then apply EA to as many places as you can.

4

OP: To answer your question re the SAT I examination, Duke requires you to submit either all SAT I scores or all ACT (with writing) results (taken during high school). While this is Duke’s current policy, were I you I’d check the Undergraduate Admissions website in a few months; Duke altered their standardized testing policy a few years ago and – who knows? – it could happen for the '20 application cycle.

5

You are pretty well positioned for both, given your major hook.
Duke is quite a bit more competitive than WUSTL. A likely outcome for you would be to get into WUSTL and not into Duke, but I would not be completely surprised if you got into both.

6

Can you afford the projected EFC for both schools?

Merit scholarships are hard to come by at these two schools.

Good luck. Both schools are terrific.