<p>I really want to go to Duke. I've always planned on applying ED. I have double legacy and outstanding extracurriculars and a solid ACT score. The main thing that will hurt me, and unfortunately the most important part of an application, is my GPA. I take an extremely difficult course load. I transferred to a much more challenging private school in 10th grade. So my GPA freshman year was 4.15 weighted, then sophomore year, was 3.35, then junior year was 3.8. So my cumulative GPA is a 3.77. I know this is probably not good enough for Duke, but every other piece of my application is very strong. </p>
<p>I am not sure to apply ED v RD because I know applying ED with double legacy for Duke has a decently high acceptance rate compared to RD, but I know my weighted GPA will be very high for Senior year because I am taking 5 weighted courses. So my GPA will have a major boost and Duke will see that in a RD application. My school runs in a trimester system however, so if I apply ED Duke will only be able to see my interim grades halfway through the first trimester and interim grades won't actually boost my GPA. So do I apply ED with the higher acceptance rate but same GPA as junior year, or apply ED and allow my high senior year GPA to raise my cumulative GPA. It's a really tough decision that I have to make soon. Please help!</p>
<p>If you’re ED and double legacy, you’ll probably get in anyway. Don’t sweat the GPA man, just ace the essay.</p>
<p>GPA is just one part of the app</p>
<p>Talk to your GC and see what he/she suggests. If your school regularly sends students to Duke, your GC will have additional insight. Also, post your question on the Duke forum (if you’ve not done so already).</p>
<p>Finally, talk to the admissions person for your region at Duke. They’re the experts. My (totally unfounded) suspicion would be that you do want to apply ED to fully play the double legacy card and show your commitment, and that if your application is strong enough otherwise that Duke might defer you to the RD round to see if your senior year grades come up to scratch. But ask them!</p>
<p>Thanks that helps a lot. I’m just worried my application will be shot down the second the admissions office sees my GPA. I also am a very accomplished pianist. If I intend to pursue piano at Duke and show that will that give me a better chance?</p>
<p>I have to agree with SlitheyTove: the person most qualified to answer your questions is the Duke admissions rep for your area. Find that person on the web page for Duke’s undergraduate admissions office, and email him or her. He or she will not mind. Admissions officers like to be contacted; they just don’t like to be hounded endlessly.</p>
<p>So I just directly ask the admissions rep: What would give me a better chance of getting in? ED or RD?</p>
<p>That seems a little awkward to ask the admissions rep of the school haha. But if that’s the way to go I’m definitely willing to do it.</p>
<p>danders, my D1 asked the adcom at her first choice school exactly that question. She wanted to apply ED, but knew that her senior year first semester grades would boost her GPA. However, first semester grades wouldn’t be available until February, late even for RD. So she did indeed ask the adcoms for her area, who told her that she should go for ED (successfully). </p>
<p>I know it seems awkward to ask, but really, the adcoms should see this as an expression of admissions love 
. You’re saying that this is your first choice school, you really want to attend, and you want to know if Duke would like to wait and see a higher GPA, or have you show your love earlier via ED. That’s the general way that you should phrase your question. Bonus: it gives you a chance to introduce yourself to the people who will be reading your application, and impress them earlier and in person with your enthusiasm for Duke. You can make the discussion less awkward for yourself if you can work in another question about the school, e.g. about music performance opportunities. </p>
<p>Just checking: your parents and you have had the money talk? If money is an issue, have they run EFC calculators and given you a budget?</p>
<p>Ok I guess that makes sense. And yes we’ve already talked about finances. I guess ED is the way to go!, but I will ask the admissions rep. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!</p>