<p>since there have been quite a number of questions about how to get in, i think it might help if i share some of my personal views about getting in:</p>
<li><p>academics: unless you are really competent in other areas such as leadership / athletics, you really need to have good academics results to get in…its like a basic ticket to start bargaining…however that does not mean you need to get full marks in every subjects…based on my friends and my own experiences, i would say once you get over a cutoff point, say, 2250 in SAT I, it does not really matter if its 2400 or 2260…the same is for ranking: getting 3rd and 4th makes no real difference…though being the valedictorian certainly does.</p></li>
<li><p>eca (extracurricular activities): its not a matter of quantity, but how consistent and devoted you are. the admission board looks for commitment and whether you are really passionate about the things you do, instead of doing it for the sake of college application. remember the phrase: jack of all trades, master of none…instead of showing how ‘all rounded’ you are, pick several areas that you really like, (probably one sport and one leadership?) and focus on them…of course, if you are senior in the coming fall, you might not have time…but you still have a summer ahead of you…and this summer will be crucial - a lot of schools even have questions asking you how you spend this summer…so make good use of it.</p></li>
<li><p>essays: they are probably the most important component in the entire application. they are chances for you to show who you really are, and maybe to elaborate your eca or challenges you have…but mind you, a good essay does NOT have to talk about how one overcomes some life changing experiences like deaths of his/her friends etc…it is just a way to express yourself. the admission board is experienced, they know that you are just in high schools, and most students, and most accpeted students, are after all, ordinary teenagers…i have had the opportunities to talk to the duke international admission officer (i am an int’nl student) and learnt that many applicants tend to ‘over-dramatize’ their own experiences…come on guys, we are just high schoolers…we are not THAT important, though i believe many of us will become so. finally, DONT ever make up stuff or try to mould yourself into a person you are not. they know it, and hate it. remember even for the school, it is looking for a group of students with different interests and/or talents…so just be yourself, and show why you are unique.</p></li>
<li><p>interview: i know that duke places quite a lot of emphasis on interviews with alums, and views it as ‘aonther form of recommendation’…so dont slack off, and think that it doesnt count.</p></li>
<li><p>early or not? early decision has higher admission rate, but the pool of applicants are in general more competitive! make sure you can show that you really are a good match with the school (do some research) before you decide to apply ED! according ‘american hottest colleges 2005’ published by kaplan and newsweek, upenn prefers students to apply early, while chicago does not care. (they did not mention duke, but you can check out some stats on us news)</p></li>
<li><p>recommendation: if you are going to be a senior, you should already have in mind who to write your recs…do choose the teachers who know you well…instead ofchoosing the teachers who teach the class you do well in…</p></li>
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<p>finally, there is a website i found on the net which you guys might find useful for reference (just reference)…it containts successful app essays for different schools, including duke, and the ivies: (<a href=“http://www.gradesaver.com/schools/undergraduate/[/url]”>http://www.gradesaver.com/schools/undergraduate/</a>)</p>
<p>and oh, remember that luck also plays a great role in deciding where you end up. after you have done everything you can…relax, and face the outcome.</p>
<p>i hope the above helps, and i wish you all the very best of luck!</p>