<p>So there's not much more I can do with scores and academics and extracurriculars. I was wondering if any of the following might be a plus factor for next year.
I don't need any financial aid at all. I know Duke is need blind, but would the ability to pay full everything help a little?
Does being Male help at all?
Does Duke take into account demonstrated interest? Like visiting and calling and stuff.
I don't live in NC anymore, but would having been born in Durham help? Does being out of state currently help?</p>
<p>Sorry but the answers would have been no, no, no and no… Need blind is blind – as in they don’t even look at your finances at the admissions office; male would be helpful at some LACs – Duke has plenty of male students; Duke doesn’t keep track of who visiting and what not; being out of state hurts big time – by charter Duke admits 13% (?) of Carolinians (N&S).</p>
<p>
Depends entirely on where you live. California, Mass, or NJ probably aren’t the best places to be. South Dakota, Arkansas, or Wyoming, on the other hand…</p>
<p>Any other opinions?</p>
<p>First let me say I can identify with you completely; being white and from a highly competitive area of CA, I thought I had no shot and tried searching for any hook I could. Unfortunately, I don’t think anything listed above will help you get in. Instead of trying to identify ‘hooks,’ I think your time would best be served developing top notch essays 
best of luck to you!</p>
<p>Did you get in?</p>
<p>I did get in, yes!</p>
<p>Do you think I’m still in the running if I have a 32 ACT</p>
<p>I would aim for higher if possible, but 32 is still a competitive score.</p>
<p>@Brownford I am in the same boat as you. Highly competitive non geographical points place in CA. I am a WASPY with no hooks. I am basically banking on my essays and recs. Are those the most important things in your opinion?</p>
<p>SouthernBelle, essays and recs most likely will not compensate for subpar academics. However, I feel they are very important in illustrating to the committee that ‘Duke quality’ inherent in those accepted. The students at Duke are pretty different from most top tier schools…save for maybe, say, Stanford. They strike a very unique balance between the academic, social, extra curricular, and vocational aspects of college. And it’s not coincidental–these sorts of personalities are scouted in the essays and recs. </p>
<p>In sum, it’s all important. But once you hit a certain standard academically, the rest of the package (and a ton of luck, as in my case) is arguably what will determine your decision. Bear in mind I’m no expert on admissions; I was literally just accepted, but I hope this helps anyway!</p>
<p>S2 applied ED and was deferred…dreading a RD rejection. Southeast Asian, male, NY, very good SAT scores, but not outstanding, not a valedictorian/salutatorian…chances did not look good. This weekend, he ecstatically accepted a spot in the Duke Class of 2016!! Why him? Maybe because he was ED applicant, who still kept in touch with area Rep from the time ED decisions were announced. He was very adamant about why Duke was a good fit for him AND why he would be a good fit for Duke! So, don’t worry about the stats. Sell yourself if this is the school you want to attend. Selection processes are very tricky, and there is no secret formula. Good Luck!</p>
<p>I’d like to bump this to specify my out of state question. I live in a state where not many attend Duke at all (Wisconsin), right? If so, would this help me?</p>
<p>bump…</p>
<p>Im guessing yes. Unfortunately I live in Miami and Duke has tons of kids from Florida. It definitely wont hurt you though.</p>
<p>I think being from Wisconsin will help somewhat. It may even serve to compensate for your ACT score a bit.</p>
<p>@1995Andrew: No to all four questions.</p>
<p>@jvtDad: You are misinformed and are promulgating erroneous information. There is NO specific, quantitative requirement or percentage for Carolina acceptance/enrollment representation, although all of the Duke Family’s major philanthropic efforts emphasized support of North and South Carolina medicine, higher education, etc.</p>
<p>Every answer to your question is available on dukes CDS</p>
<p>
No.
You can’t be serious – But no.
Maybe. Even though I think they don’t, according to the CDS they do. However, if they actually do, calling for no reason won’t help you. If you have legitimate reason to contact/call them, then your chances might be boosted.
The first part is irrelevant. However, your state residency is considered.</p>
<p>But then again, according to this same source duke considers religious affiliation. This is extremely hard to believe so I’m going to guess that they don’t take the common data set seriously?</p>
<p>ir.provost.duke.edu/facts/cds/Duke%20CDS_2011-2012.pdf</p>
<p>Duke’s Charter was amended in the late 80s I believe and no longer makes references to admitting a percentage of students from the Carolinas (if it ever did). That sort of thing is something that I can see in the original endowment by the Duke family or in the bequest to the Duke Endowment (separate from Duke University) but the current Duke board of trustees website’s version of the Charter makes no mention of it. </p>
<p>Being born in a state makes no difference. Only current state of residence would matter (if it does) though I don’t think admissions has ever clearly articulated a policy of apportioning acceptances among regions or states aside from the obvious fact (available from data) that a significant portion comes from the Carolinas for one reason or another (again never really explicitly stated that I can recall).</p>