<p>@RedKnightmare</p>
<p>I think declaring an arts interest does, because of the nature of it. My friend was accepted into theater, or at least will be studying theater at Duke, and she definitely had lower stats and academics that would be typical at top 10-15 universities. Then again, I (and no one else besides admissions) have no way of being able to confirm this and she just might’ve written a ridiculously amazing essay.</p>