<p>For Duke, I was originally going to apply ED, but I found out that my rank was only the top 12%. If I were to apply RD, my rank would be between the top 5-7%, but then I would have a harder time getting in due to the RD pool. I was just wondering which is a better choice for me, thanks.</p>
<p>Theres a stigma with being in the top 10%, see if you can somehow make it look like your top 10 right now if you know for sure you'll go up...</p>
<p>That might actually be borderline lying...darn</p>
<p>Are you talking about your class rank? If so, then how do you expect to raise it that much in one semester?</p>
<p>The class is pretty tight at the the top, and I'm taking the most courses possible for a student this year.</p>
<p>Well here's my read- Applying ED gives you a definite advantage. Waiting to apply RD only gives you a potential advantage because your class rank may not rise as much as you would like. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, so apply ED.</p>
<p>That's true, but what worries me is the overall ED rejection vs. deferral count. If I applied ED I would be alright if I ended up getting deferred, but I'm scared of being rejected outright</p>
<p>there are a couple of current Duke sophomores who post here who were deferred in ED and got in RD....so if Duke is your clear choice and you think you are fully qualified, you should consider ED. I wouldn't "throw away" your ED shot at increasing your odds at other selective schools if you are not totally sure about Duke being number one for you, and even then you should be sure you are competitive in the applicant pool, and even then most definitely have match schools you truly care about and would attend RD season. My S is at Duke but was surprised to be admitted, expected a waitlist and he would have been very pleased to attend each of his match colleges and in fact regretted having to let go of a couple of them. If you do ED, make sure you still love your match colleges because predicting who is admitted is really random sometimes and so many kids who apply to Duke are in the top quartile of applicants and qualified. Go after what you want most if you have the qualifications but always attach to your match and show those schools love and attention this year..anything can happen. And if you do your list with respect for each institution..it truly is all Good.</p>
<p>Oh, Duke is by far my first choice. =)</p>
<p>You've got to be pretty bad to be rejected outright, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.</p>