Duke Class of 2023 ED Results

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
21

Decision: Rejected

State intended major: Political Science

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): didn’t send
ACT: 30 C (29 R, 29 M, 31 E, 29 S)
SAT II: didn’t send
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0 / 4.5 Weighted
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 14/588
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Human Geo (4), AP Psych (5), APUSH (5), APES (4), AP Lang (4), AP US Gov (5), AP Comparative Gov (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Stats, AP European History, AP Biology, AP Latin, AP Lit
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar w/ Distinction, junior marshal

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
NHS
National Latin Honor Society
Model UN (Officer)
Youth and Government (State officer, Senior Lobbyist)
Fellowship for campaign
Anchor Club (Secretary)
Junior Classical Leauge
HS Swim Team

Job/Work Experience: worked for a local retail store from sophomore year to present (my job took a lot of my time, needed to work for family)

Volunteer/Community service: volunteered for local hospital ~120 hours

Summer Activities: Hospital volunteer work, Fellow/intern for a congressional campaign, job

Essays:

Common App: talked about being internationally adopted and how I was able to go back and visit my orphanage and meet the nannies who took care of me for the first few months of my life, talked about how it fostered personal growth (one of the best essays I have written, 9/10)
Why Duke: mentioned specific professor I wanted to work with and how much Duke offers, not creative, it was a hard one to write (7/10)
Optional/Perspective: wrote a narrative about growing up with 2 sisters, pretty creative, don’t know if it was too risky (8/10)

Teacher Recommendation: Had great relationships with both of my recs, couldn’t read but guessing both (8 or 9/10)
Counselor Rec: such a huge public school so not really a close relationship, couldn’t read (7/10)
Additional Rec: I had my campaign organizer write one, guessing (7/10)
Interview: My interviewer was amazing! Hit it off and found out we had a lot in common and was an enjoyable experience. Turns out she knows some of my family! Mentioned how I have cousins adopted from all over the world, how my family has a nonprofit in Uganda that has built a school, well, sustainable farm, church, orphanage, etc. and how passionate I am about increasing youth voter turnout, politics, etc.

Other

State (if domestic applicant): NC
Country (if international applicant):
Intended major(s): Political Science, Public Policy
School Type: Very large suburban public (2,400+)
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: F
Income Bracket: lower middle class (single mom)
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): I thought my adoption would be a hook and my cool life story???

Reflection

Strengths: Course load, grades, AP Scores, NC resident, background, maybe essays??
Weaknesses: ACT score (can’t take a standardized test to save my life), not any profound awards, Asian w/ low test scores

Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: It was such a competitive applicant pool and I am so excited to try at another one of my top schools! No one from my high school (including our valedictorian) got in which is odd considering we have had 2 full ride Duke students the past 2 years from my high school. Duke really looks for a specific type of student body and that’s okay!!! My test scores were eh and I don’t think I was unique enough to compensate for that…

General Comments: Good luck to everyone who got in or didn’t. The prestige of a school DOES NOT DEFINE YOU. Keep flexing on them Class of 2019!!!

22

Pick one: Trinity
Decision: Deferred

French, International Studies, Markets & Management

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): Did not take
ACT: 35 (36 E, 32 M, 35 R, 36 S, 8W)
SAT II: 740 French
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.08 UW (4.3 is all A+s), 4.86W
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Does not rank, top 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis): Gov (4), Bio (4), Chem (4), French (5), US History (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): School does not offer
Senior Year Course Load: AP English Language, AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB, Honors Physics, Global Humanities, Yearbook
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): PSAT Commended Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Relay for Life for high schools across city (9th/10th - team captain, 11th - Experience co-chair, 12th - Event Chair)
Yearbook (12th - editor)
NHS (12th - president)
Discipline Committee (9th-10th)

Job/Work Experience:
Camp Counselor (2 weeks summer 2018)
Gymnastics coach (summer 2018)

Volunteer/Community service:
See above Relay for Life (174 hrs)
Second Harvest Food Bank (16 hrs)
Barkus (Mardi Gras fundraiser for animal shelters, 20 hrs)

Summer Activities: See work experience

Essays:
Common App (9/10) - Very unique and tied into my intended major.
Why Duke (7/10) - Pretty standard; I talked about the flexibility of Duke’s curriculum and how it suits my wide variety of academic interests.
Diversity (9/10) - Pretty bold; I am white but spoke about how I hate the lack of diversity within the school system where I live and how the diversity at Duke will allow me to learn from people who are different from me both in and out the classroom.

Teacher Recommendation:
French teacher (7/10) - I had her 9th grade for French II and 11th grade for AP French, so she knew me pretty well. I was able to read it. Her English isn’t the best, but I knew she would have good things to say about me.
Chem teacher (9/10) - He taught me Biochem 9th grade and AP Chem 11th grade. I read the letter, and it’s one of the most flattering things I’ve ever read

Counselor Rec: (7/10) - Probably fine but not extraordinary. I go to a pretty small school, so she knows me pretty well. She also gathered information from my parents and teachers to write it.

Additional Rec: (10/10) - I didn’t read this one, but I’m pretty sure it’s incredible. She is an English teacher, so I know her writing is phenomenal. She has seen me in a multitude of settings, including as my advisor in 10th grade. As the assistant principal of my school, she oversaw my work with Relay for Life and the Discipline Committee. As the yearbook sponsor, she has seen my passion in that field.

Interview: (9/10) - Ended up being with an old friend’s mom. It went really well. We caught up about what I have been up to throughout high school and said she would write great things. When she heard about my deferral she said she hoped Duke “corrects their mistake,” which was very sweet.

Other:
I added information about my involvements with French in the additional information section. This included info about state and national competitions, skipping a grade of French, etc.

State (if domestic applicant): LA
Country (if international applicant): USA
Intended major(s): French, International Studies, Markets and Management
School Type: Small private
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 100,000+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None.

Reflection: Words cannot explain how devastated I am. I set my expectations pretty low knowing how competitive admissions are, but it truly sucks to have worked my ass off throughout high school and have it not pay off.

Strengths: ACT, GPA, strong indication of passion, good recs/interview
Weaknesses: Probably course load because my school doesn’t offer APs until sophomore year. Additionally, my school and LA in general rarely have much luck with acceptances.
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I really don’t know. I’m grateful to have another shot in regular decision, but I know that most likely my ship has sailed. When it comes to admissions, it’s truly a numbers game, and it’s heartbreaking to know that no matter how qualified you may be, it may not be enough. I’m so elated for everyone who got in and just wish I was in that group.

General Comments:

23

Decision: Accepted

Trinity

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 1540 (790 M, 750 ER, 7,6,8 Essay)
ACT: 35 (35 E, 36 R, 35 M, 35 S)
SAT II: 790 Math 2, 770 Bio E, 710 Eng Lit
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): School does not rank but top of class.
AP (place score in parenthesis): Courses taken: APUSH (Didn’t take), AP Stats (5), AP Calc AB (Self study for BC: 5), AP Eng Lang (5), Self Study for Chem (3) and World History (Soph Year) (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Spanish Lang, APES, AP Eng Lit, AP Gov, Multi Variable (Calc 3) at Community College
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Commended Student, AP Scholar w Distinction. (+school awards nothing too exciting)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Varsity Basketball 4 years Captain since Soph. Varsity Baseball Team MVP Junior Year. Founder of School Volleyball Club. School Ambassador / Senator (Basically do shadow days plan events etc.)
Job/Work Experience: Internship with Teacher who was also Juvenile Justice Commissioner (Multiple years great experience) Pizza My Heart Cashier For a Summer. Tutoring middle schoolers (Self Business). Work for my dad as driver / manual labor. Helped with Sports Statistics for nearby College with Athletic Director.
Volunteer/Community service: Tutor Kids at school, Volunteer at summer camp, shadow a heart screening clinic
Summer Activities: Same as stuff above
Essays:
Common App: 8/10 Very personal and showed my personality and life experience I think well.
Why Duke?: 9/10 Solid, unique, highlights why I would be good at Duke I think and Why Duke would be good for me
Diversity: 9/10 Showed by rather unusual academic experiences and how thats kinda of gotten me where I am.
Teacher Recommendation: APUSH Teacher: 9/10 Tough class for me but I worked really hard and I think he saw that.
AP Calc
Counselor Rec: 8/10 Knows me very well, but is also quite busy.
Additional Rec: 9/10 from VP of school knows me and how I uniquely contribute to my HS.
Interview: 9/10 Good natural conversation both ways I think.

Other

State (if domestic applicant): CA
Intended major(s): Statistical Science or Economics
School Type: Public Charter School
Ethnicity: White
Gender: M
Income Bracket: (divorced parents but like 50-100k)
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): N/A

Reflection: I really do think a lot of it is luck, but also colleges really do look for fit and my advice would just be to try to demonstrate why you are a good fit for the school and vica versa.

Strengths: Test Scores, GPA / Coursework, Good Fit / Essays
Weaknesses: Extracurricular sort of bland.

Why you think you were accepted: I think they saw I was a good fit and I was academically qualified and could bring something special to the campus.

24

TRINITY
Decision: Rejected

Objective:

ACT: 32
Weighted GPA: 4.2
AP (place score in parenthesis): Bio (4), English Lang (4)
Senior Year Course Load: AP Econ, AP Physics, AP AB Calc, AP Gov, English reg, Graphic Design

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Student Council (Student Body VP), Varsity Hockey, Varsity Lacrosse, Interact Club, Investments Club
Job/Work Experience: Target and WaterWay
Volunteer/Community service: Interact Club
Summer Activities: Job
Essays: Unique story, very good essay
Teacher Recommendation: US History (4/5), AP Bio (5/5)
Counselor Rec: Not very personal at my school 3/5
Interview: 4/5 Very good but they don’t give 5s often

Other

State (if domestic applicant): Illinois
Country (if international applicant): US
Intended major(s): Poly Sci/Econ
Gender: M
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Legacy

Reflection

Strengths: Deep passion for extra-curriculars, unique essay
Weaknesses: GPA
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: GPA/ACT too low

25

gotta give back to the website that helped me so much these past 4 years…

Pick one:
decision: accepted

State intended major
economics (trinity)
Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 1480 DNS
ACT: 35 (36 R, 35 E, 33 M, 36 S)
SAT II: DNS
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.95
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 7/575
AP (place score in parenthesis):
human geo (4), world (4), us history (4), enviro (4), lang (4), research (3), seminar (3), bio (3), calc ab (2) - DNS calc
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load:
ap stats, ap macro/micro, ap gov, ap lit, aice thinking skills, debate 4, personal finance,
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
deca international finalist in franchise business plan (11th grade(

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
debate (president 2 years)
deca (vp of activities)
nhs member
math team
founded organization fostering the future of finance which teachers foster care youth teens financial literacy lessons
Job/Work Experience:
math tutor at mathnasium for over a year
internship at local credit union over the summer (150 hours)
Volunteer/Community service:
6+ years of teaching kids with mental/physical disbailities how to play basketball
head sports instructor for camp jenny (camp that sends inner-city atlanta kids to a URJ camp over memorial day weekend)
coach 2 seasons of middle school basketball for my citys recreational league
Summer Activities:
none
Essays:
personal statement i made mine a knock knock joke - talked about the doors ive knocked on in my life and how its shaped me as a person super creative
why duke- talked about how i wont just be an economics major but also a researcher that can go into the neuroscience behind why we make decisions we do when buying things and other financial literacy topics along those lines
supplemental (family, religion, shaping your persoective) talked ab how growing up the 3rd child i learned a lot from observation of my older siblings and how i consider that a defining trait of mine then how i watched my grandmother live a life jn debt because of her fiscal irresponsibility so i made it my goal to become financially literate and then help those around me by spreading such an important topic.
Teacher Recommendation:
ap lang / research teacher: 8/10 she liked me but towards end of my junior year i never showed up so it probs weakend our relationshio
aice thinking skills teacher: 9/10 loves me, has hd me twice, her bestfriend is a duke alum and so she made sure my rec was stellar
deca advisor: 11/10 weve been through everything together and have a strong bond, his letter made me cry, wrote about my growth in just 4 years as a person and my potential on what i can become
Counselor Rec: 5/10 i had to remind her what my name was when i asked for one…
Additional Rec:
Interview:
amazing! we talked for 2 hours…not an exaggeration.

Other

State (if domestic applicant): florida
Country (if international applicant):
Intended major(s): econ
School Type: public (rated B school)
Ethnicity: caucasian
Gender: male
Income Bracket: 300k+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
none
Reflection
be creative and heartfelt with your essays! i felt that really did me in.

Strengths: essays, test score / gpa
Weaknesses: ap scores
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
showed interest in my intended major with all my ECs, awards, etc
General Comments:
go blue devils

26

Decision: Accepted
Pick one:
Trinity College of Arts and Sciences

Objective:

ACT: 34 (35, 32, 34, 35)
SAT II: 800 Math II
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.75 (2 B’s Freshman year, A’s and A-'s since)
AP (place score in parenthesis): Stats (4), Calc AB (5), APUSH (5), AP Lang (5), Physics 1 (4), Human Geo (3)
Senior Year Course Load: Linear Algebra Honors, World Lit Honors (post-AP Lit), AP Physics C: E and M, AP psych, AP Comp Gov
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): NHRP, Duke of Edinburgh (Bronze and Silver), Headmasters List, AP Scholar With Distinction

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Founder of registered 501©(3) that aids kids get into college, Astrophysics Internship (no paper but currently writing), Starting varsity football player, Founder of a club with 50+ members (based around community service), Environmental research with teacher at school, more small things
Volunteer/Community service: Go visit family in South American country and teach at a school
Essays: CA 10/10 (I’m almost positive this is why I got in), Why Duke (8/10), Community (8/10)
Teacher Recommendation: 10/10, 8/10
Counselor Rec: 8/10
Additional Rec: 9/10
Interview: Fine, nothing crazy but I don’t think it hurt

Other

State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
Intended major(s): Undecided, Physics
School Type: Private highly ranked
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 250k +
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM (Hispanic and Jewish, they’ve been recruiting Jews), cousin legacy but idk if that makes a difference

Reflection

Strengths: ACT, EC’s, Common App Essay, Physics Rec
Weaknesses: GPA, Human Geo score
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I worked on my common app essay for 4 months and the supplements for 2. Each supplement had around 15 drafts and my common app had close to 40. I had 2 really good recommendation. I also think my EC’s were interesting

General Comments:
GPA, SCORES, AND ACADEMICS ARE A BAR. Once you pass the bar all the subjective stuff matters. So please, once you have a 33+ and a 3.7+ UW stop worrying about it. Colleges want interesting people and it’s your job to prove you are one. Essays, recs, and EC’s matter more than moving from a 3.7 to a 3.9. Always prioritize subjective stuff.

27

Trinity!
Decision: Accepted

Intended Major: Biological Sciences (concentration in biochem

Objective:

ACT: 33C (32E 32R 31M 35S)

Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): no idea, my school doesnt tell us, but my weighted is probably around 4.15

Rank: 3/257
AP: Soph: AP Psych-5, Jun: AP Chem-4, AP Calc AB/BC-3BC AP lang-4

Senior Year Course Load: Ap Bio, Honors Us History II, English II & Calc II at community college
Major Awards:
1 of only 3 inn NJ to get a perfect score on the New Jersey Biology Competency Test
Most Dedicated Award- Varisty Cheer
Most Outstanding Player- JV Lacrosse
Freshman Science Student of the Year

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
4 years of Student Government (current Executive President)
NHS
Science Club
Cheer
Lacrosse

Job/Work Experience:
I’ve been a waitress for almost 2 years, but that’s actually not anywhere on my application

Volunteer/Community service:
??? Does NHS tutoring count?

Summer Activities:
I literally work all summer

Essays:
My commonapp essay is a super strong thingy about how I’ve been forced to realize that I am not black or white. I explained how racism against my curly hair and CONSTANT uneven tan made me accept my true racial identity.

I also did the duke essay about being LGBTQIA+ because I am bisexual and experience a lot of backlash for it.

Additionally, I wrote the diversity one about how a trip to California opened my world. I met a boy who looked white, but was actually very native american and very proud of it (like me). I wrote about how his identity and physical appearance made me proud of who I am, and how I could possibly be that person for someone else.

Teacher Recommendation:
One was from my Honors/AP Chem teacher who I have an extreme emotional attachment to. She is SO intelligent and im assuming she wrote good things

My other is from my honors/AP Bio teacher. While I was in her class the first time I received statewide awards.

Counselor Rec:
I literally have no idea what she wrote but I love her with all my heart and I’m sure she wrote something good.

Interview:
I actually didn’t get one!!

State: NewJersey

School Type: Small Public School
Ethnicity: Native American
Gender: F
Income Bracket: Idk but probably pretty low… somewhere under 35k
Hooks: Honestly nothing

Reflection

Strengths: True passion for what I wanna do, and I’ve already established that I’m pretty accomplished in it.
Weaknesses: ACT could’ve been higher. Also the fact that I go to a school with less AP classes definitely makes my GPA low.

28

Decision: Rejected

Trinity: Biology

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 1510 (CR/W 710, M 800)
ACT: N/A
SAT II: Math II 800, Biology 700
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.94
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc AB subscore (5), CALC BC (5), Biology (4), (My school has a very weird format where you cannot take a lot of APs and I take college courses instead.)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: College Linear Algebra, College Multivariable Calculus, English 12H, AP Chem, Physics H, AP Physics Mechanical, College Social Science Seminar
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Spanish Exam Gold Medalist, Honor Roll

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): 4-year varsity swimming, 10-year club swimming, orchestra, math league, safety emergency team area leader
Job/Work Experience: Lifeguard, Assitant swim coach
Volunteer/Community service: 5ks, and about
Summer Activities:
Essays:
Teacher Recommendation:
Counselor Rec:
Additional Rec:
Interview:

Other

State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant):
Intended major(s):
School Type:
Ethnicity:
Gender:
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:

General Comments:

29

Decision: Rejected

Biology

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 1510 (800 M, 710 CR)
ACT: N/A
SAT II: 780 M2, 700 Biology M
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.94
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc BC 5, Calc AB subscore 5, Biology 4
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Chem, College Linear Algebra H , College Multivariable Calc H, Physics H, AP Physics Mech, English 12H, College Social Science Seminar H
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Spanish Exam Gold Medalist, High Honor Roll

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): 4-year varsity swimming (captain), 10 years club swimming, PA math league, string/symphony orchestra, JV track and field
Job/Work Experience: lifeguard, assistant coach
Volunteer/Community service: 5ks, relay for life (nothing special)
Summer Activities: swimming, lifeguarding, traveling
Essays: common app 9/10 a little generic but well written, why Duke 9/10 had a nice metaphor and captivating why I wanted to attend, culture supplement 9/10 talked about beings Romanian and having parents from another country
Teacher Recommendation: Calc teacher loved me and I got an A+ in his class 10/10, English teacher liked me to and said I would make significant contributions to society one day so I assume it’s good 9/10
Counselor Rec: 8/10 she has to write so many but she liked me
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: 9/10 1 hour and 15 minute pleasant conversation

Other

State (if domestic applicant): PA
Country (if international applicant):
Intended major(s): Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: F
Income Bracket: $300,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): N/A

Reflection- I thought I had a pretty good chance, but ED was so tough this year. Was a little disappointed that I wasn’t even differed though.

Strengths: SAT, GPA, rec letters, why duke essay
Weaknesses: generic extracurriculars
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I guess I didn’t stand out enough. I think I should’ve applied to Pratt instead which I really regret now.

General Comments: It sucks being rejected to my top choice, but it wasn’t meant to be. Congrats to everyone who got in :slight_smile:

30

Decision: Accepted to Trinity

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): not taken
ACT: 34 C (35E, 34M, 33R, 32S)
SAT II: not taken
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.99 UW, 4.51 W
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A but around top 2%
AP (place score in parenthesis): Spanish Lang (4), Human Geography, (4), Microeconomics (5), Calb BC/ AB sub (5,5), Statistics (4), Environmental Science (3), US History (3), Comp Politics (3), US Gov (3)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Chem, Honors English; Psychology of Literature, AP Macro, AP Physics, Middle East Crisis and Conflict, Multivariable Calculus, Personal and Business Law
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Outstanding Attorney, MVP Varsity Tennis, AP Scholar w/ Distinction, National Hispanic Recognition Scholar, Science Olympiad medal

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Mock Trial (captain), Young Republicans (Officer), Varsity Tennis, Science Olympiad, DECA, NHS
Job/Work Experience: Swim Instructor
Volunteer/Community service: PROP Shop delivery, Elementary School volunteer, tutoring (Spanish, Math, Chemistry, and English)
Essays:
Common App: wrote about my favorite animal and how we are related (9/10)
Why Duke: wrote about previous experience at Duke as well as Bass Connections (7/10)
Diversity Essay: wrote about what it means to be a Hispanic teenager living in the United States (9/10)
Ratings based off of judgments made by peers and counselors

Teacher Recommendation:
Microeconomics teacher- knew me super well and did exceptionally well in the course; was super active and engaged
AP Calculus Teacher- did very well in her class and we became incredibly close
Counselor Rec: come from a very large school and did not know my counselor super well; rec was probably pretty generic
Additional Rec: Received a letter recommendation from the Duke professor I studied under in the Summer College in High School; loved the class and was always very engaged; became close with her
Interview: I was not offered an interview

Intended major(s): Biology and Economics

State: N/A
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: High
Hooks: Legacy, Professor Rec

Reflection

Strengths: went from the bottom of my class to almost the top within the span of two years; my common app essay was incredibly weird, but in a good way that made it very unique and memorable; got leadership in clubs after only a year
Weaknesses: I was very unimpressive up until my junior year (only took mid-level difficulty in course load, and I did not join a single club until then), I could have had stronger honors/awards

Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I think I was accepted due to having a high demonstrated interest in Duke w/ Legacy, and I displayed personal growth throughout my high school career.

General Comments: Duke admissions was more competitive than ever. To those who got in: congratulations! To those who did not: please don’t be discouraged and good luck with future applications! Everyone here is gonna do great things!

31

Pick one: Trinity
Decision: Accepted

Major: Economics

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 1540 (E:760 M:780)
ACT: 34 (E:34, M:35, R:35, S:33)
SAT II:
Math I: 800
Math II: 800
Physics: 800

Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): I’m from a different country, so probably around 2.8 (Yeah, it’s really low)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP: (We don’t have AP classes here)
Microeconomics: 4/5
Macroeconomics: 3/5
Computer Science A: 3/5
IB (place score in parenthesis): Not an IB student
Senior Year Course Load: N/A

Subjective:

Extracurriculars:
1. 6-Year diploma in Indian classical singing
2. Won the Asian Regional Space Settlement Design Competition and represented Asia at the International Space
Settlement Design Competition held at Kennedy Space Center. Met my country’s Prime Minister for the same.
3. Came 3rd in the TiE Young Entrepreneurs global finals. Designed a business plan and presented
it to judges at UC Irvine
4. Came 2nd in western singing nationals in both the solo and choir category. Won many state-level inter-school
western singing competitions
There’s a lot more, but this is the important stuff. I basically spent a lot of time on my extracurriculars. This is also a reason for my low GPA.

Job/Work Experience: I interned at a financial services firm in a different city for a month during my senior. I was an equity research intern.
Volunteer/Community service: Not much. I performed plays as a part of my school’s drama club for underprivileged children to spread messages regarding issues like cleanliness, bullying etc.
Summer Activities: Took a Statistics for credit course offered by Cornell University. Got an A-.
Essays: I think they were good
Teacher Recommendation: I had a fantastic impression on my teachers even though I wasn’t the highest scorer.
Counselor Rec: My principal wrote as my counselor
Additional Rec: The person I worked under at my internship
Interview: Couldn’t have gone better. I have good interpersonal skills, and I was on fire (no kidding) during the interview. My interviewer really liked me (she mentioned that) and I kept in touch with her. She was like, I’ll see you at the see off event in the spring (I was like whaaaaaat?!?!?)

Other

Country (if international applicant): India
Intended major(s): Economics
School Type: One of the largest public schools in my country. It has often been the number 1 school of India.
Ethnicity: Asian Indian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Upper Middle Class
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): N/A

Reflection:

Strengths: Music, and my international competitions for sure. Also, I know that I write well and had a pretty unique common app essay.
Weaknesses: GPA for sure, it was horrible. But well ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Why you think you were accepted?: The depth with which I participated in every activity I did. Also, my Principal was extremely fond of me and I am certain she wrote a brilliant recommendation for me.

General Comments: I’m on top of the world. I also sent a music arts supplement with an opera and Indian piece.

32

Decision: Accepted!!!

Biology

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 1480, 760 CR 720 M
ACT: didn’t take
SAT II: 750 US History
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0 UW, 4.3 W
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): na
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP World (5), AP Comparative (5), AP Gov (5), AP Lang (5), AP Bio (4), APUSH (4), AP Calc AB (3)
IB (place score in parenthesis): na
Senior Year Course Load: AP Chem, AP Physics, AP Calc BC, AP Lit, AP Stat, Art History
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medalist, Governor’s Honors Program State Semi-Finalist, AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Senior Class President, Humane Society Teen Board Treasurer, NHS
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service: Shadowed a local pediatrician the summer after junior year and volunteered at local hospital the summer after sophomore year and throughout junior year
Summer Activities: check volunteer service, also was able to travel to Greece, Italy, and France which I discussed in interview
Essays: common app was about kitchens and how I have lived in three different states but always feel comfortable in a kitchen, really honest and impactful (9/10); why duke was pretty generic and not that special but got the job done and was specific, talked about dukeengage (7/10); diversity essay was really good, probably best essay i’ve written, talked about being a part of three very different communities and what i have learned from them and how i have impacted each one (9.5/10) made my counselor cry when she read it
Teacher Recommendation: ap lang teacher that i had freshman and junior year, really close with her and she’s known i wanted to go to duke since freshman year (10/10), ap calc teacher that i have had since sophomore year, i love her class and she loves me, definitely good (9/10), apush teacher that is funny and well-liked but not a very good writer (7/10)
Counselor Rec: we are very close and she told me that i am one of the best students she has ever had (10/10)
Additional Rec: na
Interview: didnt go that well, only lasted 30 minutes

Other

State (if domestic applicant): Georgia
Country (if international applicant):
Intended major(s): Biology
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: Mixed-race
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: >500k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Legacy, mixed race, under-represented area of Georgia

Reflection

Strengths: Legacy, background
Weaknesses: low test scores and grade inflation
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Honest and meaningful essays that didn’t try too hard to impress the admissions officers. Just showed my genuine interest in the areas of my life that I talked about. Also was able to make an impact in my high school considering I moved there freshman year and was elected senior class president at the end of junior year. Guess the admissions officers saw the impact as well.

General Comments: Still in shock but am so so so happy that all of my hard work paid off. WOOOOOO!!! Go blue devils!!

33

Decision: Accepted

Major: Mathematics

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 1540 (740 R&W, 800 Math, 16 Essay)
ACT: N/A
SAT II: 740 Chem, 800 Math II
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 4/410
AP (place score in parenthesis):
10th Grade:
World History (3)
Calculus AB (4)
11th Grade:
US History (4)
Calculus BC (5)
Chemistry (5)
Psychology (3)
Eng. Lang (4)
12th Grade:
Physics 1
Physics C Mechanics (taking test but class is not offered at school)
Eng. Lit
Spanish Lang
Stats
US Gov
IB (place score in parenthesis):
N/A
Senior Year Course Load:
AP Physics 1
AP US Gov
AP Stats
AP Spanish Lang
AP Eng Lit

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
President’s Volunteer Service Award
AP Scholar with Distinction

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
UNICEF (Vice President and Service Coordinator)
Started club to address homeless population in Orange County, CA
Basketball (JV Captain Junior year)
Tennis
CSF
NHS
Altar Server 8 Years (Co-captain)
Youth Ministry Leadership Team

Job/Work Experience:
Tutor for international students
Volunteer/Community service:
stated in extracurriculars, but i’m too lazy to retype
Summer Activities:
uhhh none tbh
Essays:
9/10 (felt very confident about them)
Teacher Recommendation:
10/10 (Super close to both teachers)
Counselor Rec:
7/10 (I doubt my counselor cares tbh)
Additional Rec:
Interview:
10/10 (went very smoothly)
Other

State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
Intended major(s): Mathematics
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Lower-middle class
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
None

Reflection
I’m still surprised that I got in, but I’ll take it.

Strengths:
GPA, Test Scores, and Essays
Weaknesses:
Extracurriculars
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
I was genuine about myself in my essays, and I didn’t really brag about how much I knew about a certain subject.
General Comments:
Be a genuine person in your essays! Also be funny because they get tired of the same old application after a while.

34

Decision: ACCEPTED

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): didn’t report
ACT: 35
SAT II: 750 Literature, 770 US History
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1, but my school doesn’t report because we have a 38 person class.
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP World (4), AP Chem (4), APUSH (5), taking AP Calc, AP Lit., AP Gov, and APES this year.
IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc, AP Lit, AP Gov, APES, Latin 5, Eng. 112, Basic PC Literacy (I needed a tech credit…)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): North Carolina Junior Classical League (Statewide President, local chapter president for 4 years), International Thespian Society (Local Vice President), Environmental Club (Vice President), NHS

Job/Work Experience: Tutoring kids at my school

Volunteer/Community service: Tutoring children with developmental disabilities, volunteered w/ local Democratic Party, volunteered to help Hurricane Florence victims in NC, etc.

Summer Activities: Went to Duke Young Writers’ camp for 5 years at Duke, went to North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Summer Ventures, various other camps and volunteer traveling.

Essays: My main Common App essay was about how I grew up gay in the south. Long story short, my school did not allow a gay-straight-alliance club because it’s Christian and the parents picketed the school and fired the headmaster for almost allowing it. People called it “The Homocaust.” When I came out, as someone who was a visible presence, well-known, intelligent, well-liked, over the four year course of high school I made being gay acceptable at my school. Being gay is now safer at our Christian private school than at the local public school. Synthesized into this experience encouraging me and wanting to better the world through environmental science, mentioned growing up in Appalachia in Southern Ohio, losing my dad to the opioid epidemic, and the many environmental crises that affected my home town.

My why Duke was about the academic opportunities it will provide me, the many clubs I want to join and the activities I want to participate in, etc.

Teacher Recommendation: Latin teacher, was very good. We’re super close, go out to lunch over the summer, etc., and she helps me lead the NCJCL as state president. Also got a rec from my APUSH/AP World teacher, was also very strong, traveled to China with her, she knew me as a student and a human being.

Counselor Rec: Super close with my college counselor. I’ve gone to her house, bonded with her, watched her child, so on and so forth. She’s extremely intelligent, went to Duke, and made the case that I was perfect for Duke.

Additional Rec: Got a rec from the Reverend at my school whose father was a big contributor to Duke. He knows me very well, also super close with him, and he happens to be my theater director.

Interview: Went well. Had lots in common with the guy, he knew the same people I did. We mostly talked about politics and the future of the nation. Wasn’t an interview in the truest sense, more of getting to know one another.

State (if domestic applicant): North Carolina
Intended major(s): Environmental Science
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: Caucasion
Gender: White
Income Bracket: $150,000+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths: Definitely the gay story, my grades, being SO close to my teachers and rec. writers. It pays off to get to know adults and come to truly love them.
Weaknesses: My numbers weren’t the best.
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: The gay story, my passion for my leadership, and my overall story of coming from an underprivileged part of the nation, losing family members to the opioid crisis and environmental catastrophes, and wanting to better the world.

35

Decision: Deferred ED then rejected

Trinity

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 1560 (770 ERBW, 790 Math) - no SS
ACT: N/A
SAT II: 780 Chem, 800 Math II
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.95
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 10/340
AP (place score in parenthesis):
11th Grade:
US History (5)
Eng. Lang (5)
Chem (4)
12th Grade:
Physics C Mechanics
Eng. Lit
US Gov
BC Calc

Senior Year Course Load:
AP Physics
AP US Gov
AP Lit
AP BC Calc

  • other courses

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
2 Varsity sports
President of a school organization
Tech Volunteer at a local senior center
NHS
Won state recognition for original science project
Won various school based awards

School Type: Public - very competitive - sends 30 kids/year to Ivy/Ivy+ schools
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: no financial aid
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Legacy

Reflection
I thought I was a good candidate, I really wanted to attend and I thought my application reflected my passion for Duke. I’m really posting this as a warning to other legacies who think they should get in based on a combination of merits and legacy. I will be attending an Ivy League school in the fall from which I received a likely letter after applying RD. Together with my other acceptances, this makes me confident that I was a strong candidate for Duke. I might never totally understand this but am excited to attend the school that wanted me.