Do I have any shot at all ED?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>First off, let me say that while I know my GPA/class rank are low, last year a friend of mine got in regular decision and had a very similar record to mine. He just got a higher SAT score. I expect my grades to go up significantly senior year, and I've heard that Duke defers most ED applicants. </p>

<p>That said, if I apply ED do you think I have any chance of getting in, will I probably be deferred, or do you think I'll be rejected? If I get deferred and my grades go up senior year like I expect them to, is it reasonable to think I'll get in or did my junior year completely ruin my chances?</p>

<p>My school usually sends 5-15 students to Duke a year, so I'd say it's safe to assume that they recognize us as an upper tier school.</p>

<p>Freshman Year: Top 15%, Weighted GPA 5.4 out of 6.0 (3.8?)
Sophomore Year: Top 25%, Weighted GPA 5.1 out of 6.0 (3.6?)
Junior Year: Top 35%, Weighted GPA 4.9 out of 6.0 (3.4?)</p>

<p>I go to one of the best schools in the midwest (I'm in Illinois), and my class rank is something like 175 out of 620. I think Newsweek has us ranked as the 154th best school in the country, but they only look at how many kids take AP classes.</p>

<p>EC's:</p>

<p>Editor on an award-winning newspaper
Volunteer Work
Library Page</p>

<p>I have take 4 AP classes so far, and will take an additional 6 Senior year. I have also taken 3 honors classes so far, and will take one more Senior year.</p>

<p>I've taken the SAT once, and received a 2060. 740 Verbal, 680 Writing, 640 Math. I will be taking the SAT subject tests soon.</p>

<p>I received a 31 on the ACT with writing.</p>

<p>I expect to do extremely well on the essays. I've been told by my AP Lit teacher that I'm the best writer she's ever had, and at a writer's workshop at Ball State University I took home the "Most Talented Writer" award. I also expect my recommendations to be solid because the teachers I'll be asking recommendations from have known me for 3-4 years.</p>

<p>I expect my grades to go up significantly senior year. With our messed-up GPA system I just have to pull 2 A's and 5 B's to get a 5.4 because I'm taking so many AP classes.</p>

<p>So my question is, are my odds of getting in good enough that I should take a shot at ED, or am I so unlikely to get in that I should be more realistic and apply ED to some place like Chicago?</p>

2

<p>I think you can have a decent chance at Regular Decision if you pull your grades up A LOT senior year. Why not apply to an early action school so that you have an acceptance and can still apply RD to Duke when you have pulled up your grades?</p>

3

<p>I would definitely suggest pulling your GPA up senior year. Perform extremely well during the 1st semester to bring up your GPA then apply RD. I think that is your best chance.</p>

4

<p>Do you plan on applying to Trinity or Pratt?
Average SAT scores for Pratt students is 50+ (based on old SAT)
Middle 50% Arts & Sciences: 1370-1520 AND Engineering: 1450-1550
Overall: 1390-1530 (All 2008 figs)</p>

<p>Also, most Duke students have graduated in the top 10% of their HS.</p>

<p>I suggest you take a look at this Duke admissions site if you haven’t already-- <a href="http://www.duke.edu/web/ug-admissions/apply.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.duke.edu/web/ug-admissions/apply.htm&lt;/a>
“Most students admitted to Duke have demonstrated, in a word, impact. In some venue they have made a difference. It might be in the classroom, in the community, or on the athletic field. It could be doing one thing brilliantly, or several things exceedingly well.”</p>

5

<p>You'll definitely need to pull your class rank up A LOT. Schools like Duke hardly ever take students outside the top 10% unless of course you've got a major hook (legacy, athlete, etc.). Your standardized test scores aren't near the top of the pool either so I would try to get those up too. Duke is an extremely competitive school (especially ED) but you have a shot. It's probably not the most realistic option but I'm sure you'll find yourself at a great school regardless.</p>